Hello All - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

tmcalhoun · 10-23-2007, 07:11 AM

Hello,
I am excited to learn and make lots of new items.
I have a craftsman scroll saw and don't feel like it is very good, should i spend the money to buy a Hawk G4? My craftsman won't hold blades in the holders very well they pop out - or break when i put them in to tight to the holders, before i even turn the saw on. Any suggestions?

shinzam · 10-23-2007, 07:56 AM

A hearty welcome to the club all the way from Scotland ,
I have no experience with the Craftsman or Hawk G4 (I use a henger) so I can't answer your question but I am sure some one will.
Graham

SNAPPER · 10-23-2007, 10:05 AM

Welcome,

I guess it depends on what size machine, how much you want to spend and your project size. I have had a Delta 16" variable speed for 9 years, have cut out alot of projects. Never had a problem with it. If this one ever konks out I would consider a Dwalt model.
G

d luck and happy scrolling.
Dean

kerry_nf · 10-23-2007, 02:12 PM

Welcome my friend.

You will never go wrong with a DeWalt. Been using it for years now and it is, by far, the best saw I have used.

tmcalhoun · 10-23-2007, 06:23 PM

I have the Craftsman 16" i spent $130. Is there a way to make sure i get my blade in the bottom holder going straight correctly?

larryf · 10-23-2007, 08:00 PM

Welcome you will enjoy this site people here are vey helpful!! If you have a woodworking show in your are this is a great place to see and try different units. Just a thought.

Hwksfan

minowevie · 10-23-2007, 11:06 PM

Woops, looks like I am alittle backwards on my post. just wont to welcome you to the forum, I think the Hawk is a amazing saw. but why not play with the one you have. and learn from it. my first saw was a 16 " Craftsmon. it tought me alot. your friend Evie

tmcalhoun · 10-24-2007, 12:04 AM

When i try to put the spiral blade into my lower blade holder it either bends the blade or won't hold in tight enough. Any suggestions? I have taken the blade holder apart and sanded the ends of the screw that holds the blades, It hold flat end blades just fine but not the spiral one without twisting it.
I have a 16" Craftsman saw

eendreno · 10-24-2007, 12:08 AM

hello-the hawk is a great saw, i own one and like it. there is a learning process with any saw you own. i too started out with a cheapo saw. i blamed the saw, and the saw had it's own issues. the more experience i got with scroll sawing, the easier it was to get great results. i gave that saw to a friend, and with some coaching he now turns out some decent results. the hawk i purchased came with a 30 day money back guarantee, i was ready to send it back. it was me, not the 1100 plus dollar (supersaw) i felt compelled to master the saw. after many hours you learn the feel of the saw. that is blade tensioning, blade choice,blade drift, proper speed. the saw came pre-set from rbi. the blades did not break,or slip. they did drift, or belly out on cuts. i had to turn up the tension. i broke blades, eventually, i discovered the proper tensioning and speeds. i broke a spring on the saw and reset the bolt.i now no longer use their chart, it's a matter of feel and the only time i break a blade is when i push to the extremes of speed or blade life. i bought books, read every thread ever posted here. there is also a stock pile of info to be found on websites like mike's(flying dutchmen blades) ben fink's(pegas blades) sloans woodworking. rick hutcheson's site is a wealth of information. the folks at rbi are great to deal with, their demo dvd is great advertising tool, the guy using the saw cuts at the speed of light.( take you at least 2-3 weeks to get as good as him lol) then he says you can stack cut at 2 or 2.5 inch thick. i suppose you could but on that saw or any other you will not be able to do much. the company is a pleasure to deal with, and things that break are covered by an excellant warranty. they are the best company for product support i've dealt with . regards doug

minowevie · 10-24-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmcalhoun

When i try to put the spiral blade into my lower blade holder it either bends the blade or won't hold in tight enough. Any suggestions? I have taken the blade holder apart and sanded the ends of the screw that holds the blades, It hold flat end blades just fine but not the spiral one without twisting it.
I have a 16" Craftsman saw

Tmcalhoun, Spirales are a pain it the blank blank. did you know that the spirale comes in flat end and regular end? they are hard to get into the clamp. not at first. but after you use them . they seem to twist. and thats a bother for sure. they are 2 blades twisted. and that make putting them into clamps a bother. what I do is. being a bottom feeder. I put my blade in the bottom clamp first. then, when changing it. I put the whole thing out. insert it into the fret. then put it in the other clamp first.(for me the top) then give it a twist. then into the other clamp. you can use some small pliers too. to bend them to fit the clamp again. Im sure I make it harder than it realy needs to be. but for me. that is the reason. I dont use them. they are not only hard to use. but a bother to clamp down. Ok group. Blast me. your friend Evie