Has anyone done or considered - making an extension to the front of their scroll saw?

[MidMich324]

Has anyone done or considered - making an extension to the front of their scroll saw? On the new Pegas 21 scroll they sell an upgrade where the table is slightly larger than the basic model. I have a Hegner 18 inch saw and it would be nice to have a little larger table on the front side of the saw. Is it even a valid consideration?

[jim_mex]

Hi - I have a home made table on my Dewalt saw which is made from MDF and if I needed to have a front extension to the existing table it would be a relatively simple matter to cut a new table to size. This would prove useful when scrolling really large diameter pieces so as to better balance the piece at the front end of the table but as of yet I've no had the need to try this option. Also from an ergonomic point of view I find that it pays not to have too much distance between the front edge of the table to the blade so as to no be stooping forward too much when viewing the blade and cut line when scrolling. If when dealing wih really large pieces such an extension would be beneficial I imagine an extension of a material such as 1/2" thick aluminum could be fashioned in such a way that it could be bolted onto the underside of the standard metallic table through purpose made threaded holes. Just a thought...

[MidMich324]

Jim ,
Thank you for comments and ideas.
Best Regards
dave d

[Linda In Phoenix]

I have a 21" Seyco as well as a 30" Excalibur. For both I cut 1/4" thick MDF larger table top surfaces, which bolt on in place of the originals. I do use them on really larger projects. A little bit of added area to the front, but mostly extending out on each side. Nice and flat and works great for the big stuff.

[KarlB]

Years ago I made a top for my Dewalt by placing a 1/2" piece of plywood on the table then trace the table footprint and then cut out the inside. I then glued a 1/4" skin on top of that for my cutting surface. It was kept in place by conforming to the shape of the Dewalt table and I could remove it very easily. Unfortunately I ended up using it so little that I can't even find it now (I just looked). If I were doing it today I'd probably use the smooth white wall panel at Lowes for a really smooth surface. Anything to reduce drag on the piece.

Karl

[will8989]

Never thought doing it that way. I made top piece out of 1/4” plywood to place on top of my Hegner table. I use carpet tape to hold in place. I only use it for my extra large baskets but I like your idea. Thanks!

[cwmagee]

As far worthiness, I purchaseed the PEGAS table (for my 8+ year old EX21) frrom Denny a couple of years ago. It was well worth the cost as it changed the performace dynamiics. My EX21 had a severe vibration when running the saw above 80% of the speed range, The PEGAS Mod table damped the vibration. As to the added space infront of the blade that was definitely a big improvement, What also was an added benefit was the elimanation of the dust holes surroinding the main saw blade hole, That was a real plus not having the small pieces of fretwork falling part way through and catching in the small holes.

Whether making or having one made for the Hegner would be any value is up for discussion, depending the route you take for the making the modified tabletop as well as costs involved. Good luck

[kerfline]

Yes..I have. I purchased a Pegas scroll saw two years ago. It's a great saw. I really like it a lot, but what I don't like and that I was used to is having 8 in of space in front of the blade. My DeWalt scroll saw has 8 in front of the blade which gives me better support when I'm cutting out large word signs. I guess if you only use spiral blades it doesn't create a problem. It's beyond me why they didn't make the Pegas with more table space in front of that blade being that it's a high-end saw. So this is what I did . I took the matters in my own hands and I built my saw into my scroll saw table. My table top is now 31x24 and I got 10 in of space in front of my blade.

[RJweb]

Very interesting, nice job, RJ

[MidMich324]

Thank- you all the ideas. I will check in again next week to see some more.