Pinless blades and Mothers Day

[cpowell]

Well, pinless blades and I aren't exactly friends but at least we're not mortal enemies any more. Not after this anyway...

I was trying to think of what I could get my wife for Mothers Day and came up with this. I have been putting off using pinless because of the time and trouble they are but realized that I wasn't going to get better by putting it off. After some encouragement from others to "stretch" I jumped in on this pattern. It turned out better than I thought it would and of course looks better from a distance than close up, something I had not thought of before, they all do.

Anyway, after I finished this I ordered some pinless from Flying Dutchman. We'll see how that turns out. In the meantime what do you guys think of this?

[wood-n-things]

You should get a nice big smile and hug for that for sure. Nicely done.

[jellis]

I think it looks really nice. After you get to using the pinless blades I think you will not be using the pinned blades as much.
jellis

[Powakee]

I am very impressed. You did some nice cutting. I like the piece. I bet your wife will like it just fine.

[PatteM]

It's a beautiful, nicely done piece of work! I really love the pattern, haven't seen anything like it.

[stephenD]

Well done. I also like the pattern. Where did you get it?

[Carter-Johnson]

I guess I fail to see how pinless blades could be "enemies". Mine last a long tyime and can be changed in about 20 seconds. I bet you find them easy and remarkably more accurate and efficient. Mike's blades are the best!

Good luck...

Carter

[cpowell]

Thanks for the encouragement, it means a lot to a "scrapper" like me.

She liked it alright but noted right away that the right side was longer than the left. She even took a ruler to it. I told her that I didn't make the pattern, I only cut it. She decided to mark how much I needed to cut off. I did, then it looked shorter on the right. Whatever...

Pinless blades are a pain in the behind to me because they take so much time to change to a new cutting position. I know it's a design fault of my cheapie saw but it's what I have to deal with right now. I know that I can't get used to them by leaving them on the shelf which is why I tried to do something that required them. The pinned blades just change out bing, bing and it's done. The pinless require so much more fumbling, moving the blank, tightening, cutting then doing it all over again.This piece took over two hours time to cut. Like I said I know it's a design flaw in the saw.

I do have an eye on another saw, a Hawk, from another member but I have to get the money together and right now it's tight. I can hardly afford wood to turn into scraps...ha ha ha

[Hawaiilad]

You will learn to like using pin less blades. For one thing, you can purchase so many different types and sizes of blades, and you can cut so many "smaller" holes

[Searcykid]

I guess I fail to see how pinless blades could be "enemies". Mine last a long tyime and can be changed in about 20 seconds. I bet you find them easy and remarkably more accurate and efficient. Mike's blades are the best!

Good luck...

Carter

What brand of scroll saw do you use that changing pinless blades does not make them enemies? I would like to buy a scroll saw that makes changing pinless blades easy.

[wood-n-things]

Searcykid,
Most any scroll saw over about 100.00 will accept pinless blades. Some just have clumsy blade holders. Dewlat788 and the new delta clone are excellent for accepting pinless blades, all of the upper end saws seem to fit the bill quite nicely.

[paul44224]

What kind of saw do you currently have? When you do use pinless blades, are you cleaning the ends of the blades to get that coating off? Most blades have a coating to prevent the blades from rusting. They will slip from the blade holders during cutting. So most people really crank the screws until the bladeholders distort.
I use some sandpaper, med. grit, approx. 2"x1", fold it so it's 1"x1", then pull the ends of the blades through. About 1/2 or so of the ends.
Also clean up the ends of the bladeholder screws a bit. They most likely have some of that coating from the blades on them and will let the blades slip.
You will be a bit suprised how much stuff ends up on the sandpaper.
Paul

[cpowell]

I saw this old post pop up and thought I would give a bit of an update. Pinless blades and I have become good friends now and I couldn't be doing some of the things I do without them. I don't even use pinned blades any more.

To make it easier to access the lower blade holder I took off the side of the saw so that I can just reach in without having to tilt the table every time or fish around for the holder. It made a world of difference! If you are wondering I am using a cheapie saw from Harbor Freight. One day when I have more money I'll replace it with a real saw.

Back then I was just starting out having bought my saw in March but I am now much more confident thanks to all the help I have received here. Much thanks to all!! Oh and Happy New Year!

[amido22]

wow it is look very nice good work