Proxxon Scroll Saw for model and toy making

I already own a decent scroll saw so it would hard to justify this purchase. But...maybe it's not to late for you!

From the product description

This is the ideal machine for that delicate project: model building, toy manufacturing and precision work. It cuts soft wood (e.g. bass wood) up to 1 3/16" (30 mm), hard wood up to approx. 25/64" (10 mm), plastic (including circuit boards) up to approx. 5/32" (4 mm) and non-ferrous metals up to 5/64" (2 mm) with standard scroll saw blades. The machine has a very stable ribbed die-cast aluminum saw frame with 11 13/16" (300 mm) throat. The blade guide is equipped with an integrated blower. The patented head-part is height-adjustable in 3 positions and offers numerous advantages: The lifetime of the saw blade is tripled after shortening it twice (teeth in the middle part of the saw blade are finally used, too). With the head in the lowest position, working with a blade shortened to 2 23/64" is even more precise. The machined worktable of die-cast aluminum has a size of 6 19/64" x 6 19/64" (160 x 160 mm) and is equipped with an adjustable longitudinal stop and graduated miter gauge (0-90°). The ABS plastic body provides a very practical sliding door on the right side of the housing for the removal of saw dust. The saw is powered by a 110 - 120V motor (85 W) for prolonged use, low noise performance and even supported by a quiet and wear-resistant toothed belt drive, running in a ball bearing assembly. The machine offers an electronically controllable stroke rate from approx. 150 - 2,500 strokes/min.

Here's the link to the Proxxon 37088 DS 115/E Scroll Saw

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Piano player automaton project - a video tutorial in two parts

Part 1 - Scroll saw automaton project

Here is a two part video tutorial from the scrollsaw workshop of Steve Good. Part one is shown above and part two is below. In the videos, Steve teaches you how to build an automaton using a scroll saw primarily. It's a wonderful tool that is more versatile than many people realize. Here you see it put to good use. The project plans the piano player automaton are available free of charge on Steve's blog.

Part 2 - Scroll saw automaton project

These videos are a fantastic resource, no doubt about it. This project is very similar to one by Rodney Frost published in his book Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood. Pages 26 through 31 of that book provide plans for a piece called The Pianist (shown at right). This could be a case of independent invention or it could be that a tip of that hat is due to Mr. Frost. So, in the interest of fairness and completeness, I will take the liberty of doing that here. If you would like to do this project, and many others, Mr. Frost's book features a dozen or more excellent automaton projects.

[ Thanks Charles! ]

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Gizmos & Gadgets magazine featuring automaton plans by Dug North

It's here! Gizmos & Gadgets is a the new magazine that features my article showing you how to make a wood automaton from start to finish.

The magazine is a special edition issue put out by the publishers of Scroll Saw & Woodworking Crafts magazine.

About Gizmos & Gadgets:

From mechanical marvels to marvelous marble machines, Gizmos & Gadgets has something for everyone. From the simple to the complex, from the decorative to the functional, this issue will get your creative gears turning and your pride beaming when you see the smiles these hand made treasures will bring to the faces of those around you.

If it is not already at your local bookseller, it will be very soon. In the meantime, the Gizmo & Gadgets issue can be purchased online.

Stay tuned for more info about the magazine and the projects within!

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Plans to build a working wooden gear clock

The Spring issue of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Magazine contains complete patterns and instructions for making this wooden clock designed by the amazing Clayton Boyer. The magazine says the Genesis Clock is designed for first time clock builders. This is a great opportunity to get a Clayton Boyer design at less than the usual price!

Here is a link to the publisher, where you can order Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts, Issue 42, Spring 2011 with the Clayton Boyer Genesis clock plans.

[ Thanks deanS! ]

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Wooden Clocks: 31 Favorite Projects & Patterns

If you've been looking for a nice set of plans to make your own working wooden gear clock, one place you might want to consider is this book, Wooden Clocks: 31 Favorite Projects & Patterns. The Wooden Gear clock project begins on page 120 of the book. The Wooden Gear Clock project is covered in detail over the course of 14 pages. The author, clock-maker Mark Tovar, shows step-by-step how to make this elegant and functional piece of kinetic sculpture. The book has clear, annotated templates for each part that tell you exactly at what percentage to enlarge them on a photocopier. Most of the plans are printed need only to be copied at their original size.

The gear clock plans alone are easily worth the price of the book. If you happen to like scroll saw projects, the book is full of the other clock-related project culled from the pages of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine.

Here is where you can get Wooden Clocks: 31 Favorite Projects & Patterns.

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Book: Coping Saw Work by Edward F. Worst

Originally published in 1927, many of the projects in Coping Saw Work provides plans for several wooden toys. The large format (11" x 8") features 121 full-scale illustrations within its 136 pages.

From the book description:

The great value of Coping Saw Work is in its hundreds of full-scale patterns, particularly for the mechanical toys that were popular in the early 1900s. Among them you will find plans for a pendulum-actuated circle of pecking chickens, the traditional competing woodchoppers, jointed animals on moving stands, and a number of parallel-movement toys such as the classic fighting dog and cat. Equally useful are the numerous full-scale drawings for dollhouse furniture and toy vehicles.

You can get a new print of Coping Saw Work over at Lee Valley Tools or try for an original printing of Coping Saw Work at Amazon.

[ Thanks Charles! ]

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Proxxon 37090 DSH/E Scroll Saw - Gimme!

I posted a while back about Proxxon's smaller scroll saw, the Proxxon 37088 DS 115/E Scroll Saw. Here is that saw's bigger brother. Behold! The Proxxon 37090 DSH/E Scroll Saw...

Check out this tool's description:

Clean, accurate cuts without the need for finishing. This is the perfect machine for tool and die making, model building, toy repairs, puzzle sawing, architectural work, antique restoration, etc. It operates probl em-free, even when cutting acrylics, fiberglass, polystyrene foams, rubber, leather and cork.The unit offers a super cutting capacity (wood 1 1/2", plastics 1 3/16", non-ferrous metals 25/64") and yet runs with only a hum. The air blower with adjustable nozzle provides clear visibility of work piece and cutting line. The unit's machine base of cast iron offers the needed stability for vibration-free operation. The sturdy aluminum die-cast table tilts up to 45°, allowing a lot of special effects like incised lettering, sawing chamfers, inlays and marquetry. The twin cast iron saw over arm with ball bearing direct drive is equipped with a practical handle for quick and easy adjustment of the blade tension. Standard commercially available pin blades can be rapidly fitted and stored in the special compartment on the side of the machine. As well the clamping jaws also allow the use of plain end blades, which are as well easily tightened with the included T-Allen key. Proxxon tools come with a 2 year factory warranty.

I cannot say I own this saw. (I am still patiently waiting for the sponsorship offer from Proxxon.) I do own two other saws by them and can say they are very, very well made tools.

Here's a link to the Proxxon 37090 DSH/E Scroll Saw.

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Proxxon Scroll Saw for model and toy making

I already own a decent scroll saw so it would hard to justify this purchase. But...maybe it's not to late for you!

From the product description

This is the ideal machine for that delicate project: model building, toy manufacturing and precision work. It cuts soft wood (e.g. bass wood) up to 1 3/16" (30 mm), hard wood up to approx. 25/64" (10 mm), plastic (including circuit boards) up to approx. 5/32" (4 mm) and non-ferrous metals up to 5/64" (2 mm) with standard scroll saw blades. The machine has a very stable ribbed die-cast aluminum saw frame with 11 13/16" (300 mm) throat. The blade guide is equipped with an integrated blower. The patented head-part is height-adjustable in 3 positions and offers numerous advantages: The lifetime of the saw blade is tripled after shortening it twice (teeth in the middle part of the saw blade are finally used, too). With the head in the lowest position, working with a blade shortened to 2 23/64" is even more precise. The machined worktable of die-cast aluminum has a size of 6 19/64" x 6 19/64" (160 x 160 mm) and is equipped with an adjustable longitudinal stop and graduated miter gauge (0-90°). The ABS plastic body provides a very practical sliding door on the right side of the housing for the removal of saw dust. The saw is powered by a 110 - 120V motor (85 W) for prolonged use, low noise performance and even supported by a quiet and wear-resistant toothed belt drive, running in a ball bearing assembly. The machine offers an electronically controllable stroke rate from approx. 150 - 2,500 strokes/min.

Here's the link to the Proxxon 37088 DS 115/E Scroll Saw

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Big Book of Wooden Clocks: Projects & Patterns

Here is a new book on wooden clocks scheduled to be released in July of 2009.

The book compiles a number of projects from Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine.It looks pretty good -- especially the wooden gear clock depicted on the cover and detailed in pages 120 to to 134. Those 14 pages alone were enough to convince me to pre-order it.

Product Description from Amazon

Featuring some of the most popular projects from sold-out issues of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Craftsmagazine, the projects in this collection include a wide range of clock styles, such as grandfather clocks with intricate fretwork, classic pendulum clocks, and whimsical desk clocks. Detailed plans for more than 25 projects cover the entire process with step-by-step instructions, complete materials lists, instructions on buying and inserting clock parts, cutting the clock using a scroll saw, assembling the pieces, and applying finishes.

Here's more information on Big Book of Wooden Clocks: 29 Favorite Projects & Patterns .

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Wooden Clock Wheel Cutting - Bandsaw Pinions

Here is a great video with detailed instructions on how to cut small clock pinion gears from plywood using a band saw -- an alternative to the more commonly used scroll saw. I own this small, well-rated, affordable benchtop bandsaw.

The craftsman in the film uses a fairly wide band saw blade -- 3/8 inch perhaps. Despite its large sized, he shows how to used a series of straight cuts and the front of the blade to nibble away and tight and curved area.

He does turn to the scroll saw, not for cutting, but for filing the edges of the pinion smooth. He mounts a needle file into the scroll saw. You can also buy files designed to fit in the scroll saw.

The video also shows how to use a benchtop disk sander to create round spacers and how to best glue the parts together with white PVA glue.

This is the kind of education you can only get by watching someone with experience.

File with a Scroll Saw - Scroll Saw Sanding Files

I have been using small sanding belts in my scroll saw for some time. They are sold under the brand name of Scroll Sanders. They are great. I use my scroll saw for sanding more than I use it for cutting!

Here is another good idea that I am ready to try: Scroll Saw Sanding Files.

Mount these little beauties into your scroll saw to turn it into a power filing machine. The product literature says that the silicon carbide abrasive is aggressive enough to cut as well as sand in most materials.

They can also be mounted into pin vises, craft knife handles, and mini hack saw handles, so I am sure to find a use for them. I'm going to order some today and I'll let you know if I like them.

Scroll Saw Joinery

Scroll saws are great for cutting curves and complex shapes. Did you know you can also use the scroll saw for joinery?

Here's a really interesting that article shows you how to cut a variety of interesting joints on the scroll saw.

Read the article: Scroll Saw Joinery originally published in Scroll Saw Workshop magazine