Creative Woodworks & crafts 2005-09, страница 41

NG HEAD SCROLL SAW

Scroll saw artist Wayne Fowler was among the first to have put this new machine to the test, and here's what he says about the EX-21:

Before I tell you about the new Excalibur EX-21 scroll saw, my code of ethics requires me to tell you about two conflicts of interest I have. First, I have been cutting on Excalibur saws for about sixteen years. Secondly, I am a proud Canadian, and the Excalibur is made at a plant about 20 minutes from where I live here in Canada! While those two factors may tend to bias me favorably toward the new saw, I will try my best to give an unbiased review of my experiences with it.

I had the opportunity to use the new saw at the Toronto Workshop Show this past March. I was able to cut on it, between conversations, for three days during the show. TTie first noticeable difference between the EX-21 and just about any other saw is the fact that the saw table is fixed, and it is the saw itself that tilts in either direction for angle cuts. The second major difference for current Excalibur owners is that the cutting plate is much larger than on the EX-30 or EX-19 saw. Although I have never found the size of the plate on the older saws to be an issue, the bigger plate does provide some level of comfort. As with the older saws, this plate has a low friction powder coat to minimize drag on the wood as you cut.

The tilting mechanism

The EX-21 saw is mounted on a central "axle," with a crank on the front for tilting it in either direction. There is a dial for selecting the angle of tilt and a plunge mechanism to ensure that the saw has been returned to 90'. Both are very useful features. The method of placing the saw at 90' using the spring plunger and hole behind the dial is very precise, and I certainly need that precision for some of our finer designs. I used the saw to cut a tiger head drawn by my son Jacob on 1/2^p-thick mulberry, and I was quite pleased with the outcome. The design has a lot ot fine line detail, particularly its whiskers, and the many close cuts were all handled well by the saw.

Blade changes

Whenever anyone asks me what scroll saw to buy, I always suggest that they have the salesperson show them how to change the blades, then imagine doing that 20,000 times! I was pleased that the EX-21 has a blade holding system similar to the EX-30 that I cut on, although I found the EX-21 mount a little easier to use. The clamp mechanism is the same, but there is a wider, longer slot for the blade to go into so it is easier to find when you are not looking. That may sound odd but, as with other Excalibur saws, when you are doing fretwork you enter from the top of the piece and attach the blade on the bottom. I have done this probably 50,000 to 100,000 times wrth all the fretwork that I do, so it is extremely important to me that the reattachment process is fast and easy.

Fretwork

Because I like to insert the blade into the hole from above when doing fret cutting, and since that is the best way to insert the blades on the Excalibur, I find it is a very handy saw for fretwork. One big improvement with the new saw is that the arm can remain elevated by itself. Due to this feature, I could use both hands to position the wood and thread the blade into the hole without using my wrist to keep the arm raised. The only downside that I found about this was that the arm sometimes

had a tendency to lower quickly, resulting in some bent blades. Once I got used to the differences, however, I achieved a modest increase in the speed at which I normally fret cut on my EX-30.

Angle cutting

The angle mechanism for tilting the saw is very precise, so if you need to be 2° right or left of true, it is very easy to set the saw for that angle. I cut two very small burl castles at the show and was able to make accurate adjustments, down to fractions of a degree, as I cut the smaller and smaller layers of the castles. I was also able to cut very thin walls, mainly because the cutting surface and the plate remain parallel to the ground as the saw tilts. Another benefit to the plate remaining in the same position was that I didn't have to change my cutting posture for angle cutting. With my current saw, I sometimes have trouble seeing what I am cutting when the plate is tilted, and I need to lean over and angle my head. I also had better light for cutting since the light was above me and not to the side.

A few other observations

I am a left-handed person in a right-handed world, so I had a few issues with the EX-21 configuration which is, as with most saws, better designed for right-handed sawyers. After talking this over with the saw designer, we decided that the saw could be made more "left-hander friendly" by simply detaching and reattaching the blower and hold-down clamp on the right side of the saw. This still left me with the problem of the arrangement of the tensioning arm and speed control dial on the upper arm, however. I kept accidentally hitting the speed control dial with my left arm as I was fret cutting because I worked the tensioning lever with my left hand. I would then have to stop to readjust the speed. This was an inconvenience, but not a big problem, as I am sure that I would get used to the control arrangement given more time to practice.

I was pleased that over the three days of cutting I didn't break any blades, although I did dull out a few, and I changed blade sizes a number of times. Because I wanted to see what would happen if I did break a blade, I removed the blade and started the saw at full speed. The saw ran quietly with very liltle bounce, so I assume that damage would be minimal during a break.

The motor on the EX-21 is a variable speed direct drive and seemed to be quite powerful. However, I didn't cut extra-thick hardwood, so I can't comment on how strong the EX-21 is in comparison to other saws that I have cut on. Finally, the dust blower on the EX-21 is quite a bit better than the one on the EX-30 and is much easier to position over the work piece.

General impressions

I really enjoyed my stint with the EX-21, (even though it is purple and not basic black), and I am certain I could find room in my workshop for the new saw. However, I am also still very much enthralled with my EX-30, so I am currently trying to work out an excuse to purchase the EX-21 for my wife! So far, my main justification is the EX-21's superior angle cutting. I guess I'll need to generate a little revenue, so I'm off to the next Star Trek convention, where my burl castles have been selling well!