My saw is ill... - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Jim McDonald · 09-08-2009, 03:06 PM

...and I'm not feeling well. (Homage to Lewis Grizzard).

Went to set the table to and angle yesterday and the lock would not tighten, so doing a little investigation, I found the knob that locks the angle has broken inside. (metal in plastic)

I'm going to attempt to fix it with some quick set epoxy this afternoon, but barring that, I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and order parts. I hate to start that process, since that signaled the beginning of the end for my Delta, and I just hope this going to be an isolated issue with the CW40.

So, no cutting for a while--just depression 'cause I can't get back to the stack I finally got organized into the order I really want to cut. I have to get a set of runners cut for the John Nelson Victorian sled I finally finished cutting so I can get all the glue up done.

I think the sled was where I broke the knob. I recut a couple of pieces and one called for a 15 degree end cut and I think I twisted the knob just a bit too far and stressed the plastic inside.

I can probably get the runners cut, since they are cut flat, (and only 2 pieces of 1/8" ply) but then I'm just going to have to call it quits until I get it fixed, since the table is about 1 degree off square in the center detent position and that makes it nearly impossible to do stack cuts.

Thanks for letting me air my disappointment and despair.

Scrolling Days · 09-08-2009, 03:24 PM

Good luck with that, Jim! Sorry for the problems, but this might be a good time to get the ol' shop cleaned up and organized!

I have a fear of adjusting my DeWalt's table. With jigsaw puzzle making, the blade has to be absolutely square, or the pieces will only fit together in one direction. Although I'm aching to try some inlays, I'm nervous about not being able to get back as perfectly square as it is now. I'll have to get over that, I suppose!

texaswoodworker · 09-08-2009, 03:49 PM

Plastic parts tend to break easily. By first scroll saw was a small ryobi and it had plastic handles on the piece that locks the blades into the scroll saw. After a year or two they broke off. Now I have a much bigger craftsman scroll saw made mostaly of cast iron and steel. The only plastic part I can think of is the speed knob and maybe the knob on the table adjuster. Currently I have a large blade in my old scroll saw (huge with pinned end) and I use it to cut the blanks for my pens. When I have to change blades on it, I have to get a pair of locking pliers to lock the blade into it.

Jim McDonald · 09-08-2009, 11:01 PM

Just got off the phone with Hitachi and got two knobs and four blades holders for under $15--including shipping.

I had dreaded all day making the call figuring the parts would be out of sight. Very pleasant order taker and she claims three day service, so I should be up and running Friday or Monday.

Still a bit of a bummer, but overall it could have been much worse.

JohnB · 09-09-2009, 01:29 AM

G'day Jim,
You are a resourceful bloke, I'm sure there is a work around while you wait for the spares to turn up.
A similar thing happened to a clamp on my bandsaw. The plastic cracked on the knob, so I broke the stuff completely of and used a spanner on the bolt head, until a new knob arrived.

Good news though, on the service and cost of the spares.

Jim McDonald · 09-12-2009, 06:09 PM

I'm making firewood once again!

Got home from school yesterday and there was the box from Hitachi, just as promised with all the correct parts!

By the time dinner was prepared and served, it was a little too late to get out and get everything set up, but already have a few cuts under my belt today and wow does it feel good to get some dust in the air.

Getting ready to make the final cuts on a Victorian sled for my wife, the main parts are hanging in the sun baking the BLO/MS mix waiting for the assembly and lacquering.

Now on to the rest of the Christmas ornaments!

gaksdal · 09-14-2009, 03:33 AM

Jim, I had the same problem with my cw40 back in Feb., I called them on a monday and they sent the part out under warranty, and beings that I live about 4 hours south of Atlanta I had the part by Wed.. My table is is 3 degrees off when it hits the center detent, so I just check it with a protactor and lock it down when I stack cut, which is 95% of the time.

Greg

RichZ · 09-19-2009, 08:15 PM

Don't be afraid to tilt the table. Don't use the angle guide. They are all not accurate. Use a "wixey" Digital angle indicator. To bring the saw back to 90, Cut a piece of 2 X4 1/16 in, turn it around and try to fit the back of the blade in the tiny slot. If it goes in easy the blade is 90 to the table. If not adjust table by tapping it. Then try again.

Richie Z

wood-n-things · 09-19-2009, 08:21 PM

Jim,
I'm glad you are back in business.

Shawn,
I agree with Richz. I got the wixey and it works great. I use it for my table saw, sander tables, actually anything I need accuracy with.
Or...Since you got all that money just laying around get another saw for inlay work..LOL

When I die my wife will have a huge garage sale..Just one big sign.
Tools, Tools, & more Tools..

09-08-2009, 03:06 PM	#1
Jim McDonald Sawdust Maker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Muncie, IN USA Posts: 1,109 Blog Entries: 9	My saw is ill... ...and I'm not feeling well. (Homage to Lewis Grizzard). Went to set the table to and angle yesterday and the lock would not tighten, so doing a little investigation, I found the knob that locks the angle has broken inside. (metal in plastic) I'm going to attempt to fix it with some quick set epoxy this afternoon, but barring that, I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and order parts. I hate to start that process, since that signaled the beginning of the end for my Delta, and I just hope this going to be an isolated issue with the CW40. So, no cutting for a while--just depression 'cause I can't get back to the stack I finally got organized into the order I really want to cut. I have to get a set of runners cut for the John Nelson Victorian sled I finally finished cutting so I can get all the glue up done. I think the sled was where I broke the knob. I recut a couple of pieces and one called for a 15 degree end cut and I think I twisted the knob just a bit too far and stressed the plastic inside. I can probably get the runners cut, since they are cut flat, (and only 2 pieces of 1/8" ply) but then I'm just going to have to call it quits until I get it fixed, since the table is about 1 degree off square in the center detent position and that makes it nearly impossible to do stack cuts. Thanks for letting me air my disappointment and despair. __________________ Jim If it cannot be fixed with a hammer--must be an electrical problem. "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

09-08-2009, 03:24 PM	#2
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,547 Blog Entries: 5	Good luck with that, Jim! Sorry for the problems, but this might be a good time to get the ol' shop cleaned up and organized! I have a fear of adjusting my DeWalt's table. With jigsaw puzzle making, the blade has to be absolutely square, or the pieces will only fit together in one direction. Although I'm aching to try some inlays, I'm nervous about not being able to get back as perfectly square as it is now. I'll have to get over that, I suppose! __________________ Shawn Ferguson Come visit at The Ferguson Puzzle Company !

09-08-2009, 03:49 PM	#3
texaswoodworker Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Reno Texas Posts: 278	Plastic parts tend to break easily. By first scroll saw was a small ryobi and it had plastic handles on the piece that locks the blades into the scroll saw. After a year or two they broke off. Now I have a much bigger craftsman scroll saw made mostaly of cast iron and steel. The only plastic part I can think of is the speed knob and maybe the knob on the table adjuster. Currently I have a large blade in my old scroll saw (huge with pinned end) and I use it to cut the blanks for my pens. When I have to change blades on it, I have to get a pair of locking pliers to lock the blade into it. __________________ Aaron

09-08-2009, 11:01 PM	#4
Jim McDonald Sawdust Maker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Muncie, IN USA Posts: 1,109 Blog Entries: 9	Just got off the phone with Hitachi and got two knobs and four blades holders for under $15--including shipping. I had dreaded all day making the call figuring the parts would be out of sight. Very pleasant order taker and she claims three day service, so I should be up and running Friday or Monday. Still a bit of a bummer, but overall it could have been much worse. __________________ Jim If it cannot be fixed with a hammer--must be an electrical problem. "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

09-09-2009, 01:29 AM	#5
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 5,161	G'day Jim, You are a resourceful bloke, I'm sure there is a work around while you wait for the spares to turn up. A similar thing happened to a clamp on my bandsaw. The plastic cracked on the knob, so I broke the stuff completely of and used a spanner on the bolt head, until a new knob arrived. Good news though, on the service and cost of the spares. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, Stuck in the middle with you. Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

09-12-2009, 06:09 PM	#6
Jim McDonald Sawdust Maker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Muncie, IN USA Posts: 1,109 Blog Entries: 9	I'm making firewood once again! Got home from school yesterday and there was the box from Hitachi, just as promised with all the correct parts! By the time dinner was prepared and served, it was a little too late to get out and get everything set up, but already have a few cuts under my belt today and wow does it feel good to get some dust in the air. Getting ready to make the final cuts on a Victorian sled for my wife, the main parts are hanging in the sun baking the BLO/MS mix waiting for the assembly and lacquering. Now on to the rest of the Christmas ornaments! __________________ Jim If it cannot be fixed with a hammer--must be an electrical problem. "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

09-14-2009, 03:33 AM	#7
gaksdal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: S.E. GA. Posts: 134	Jim, I had the same problem with my cw40 back in Feb., I called them on a monday and they sent the part out under warranty, and beings that I live about 4 hours south of Atlanta I had the part by Wed.. My table is is 3 degrees off when it hits the center detent, so I just check it with a protactor and lock it down when I stack cut, which is 95% of the time. Greg __________________ Greg S.E. Ga. http://www.joesawdust.com

09-19-2009, 08:15 PM	#8
RichZ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kings Park NY Posts: 38	Squaring the table Don't be afraid to tilt the table. Don't use the angle guide. They are all not accurate. Use a "wixey" Digital angle indicator. To bring the saw back to 90, Cut a piece of 2 X4 1/16 in, turn it around and try to fit the back of the blade in the tiny slot. If it goes in easy the blade is 90 to the table. If not adjust table by tapping it. Then try again. Richie Z

09-19-2009, 08:21 PM	#9
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 5,983 Blog Entries: 1	Jim, I'm glad you are back in business. Shawn, I agree with Richz. I got the wixey and it works great. I use it for my table saw, sander tables, actually anything I need accuracy with. Or...Since you got all that money just laying around get another saw for inlay work..LOL When I die my wife will have a huge garage sale..Just one big sign. Tools, Tools, & more Tools.. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. I don't make mistakes..I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong. Mike's Wood-n-Things Last edited by wood-n-things; 09-19-2009 at 08:23 PM.

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