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Brisbane <strong>Carba</strong>-<strong>Tec</strong> ® staff member Andy Lucas explains why he loves the Excalibur scroll saw.<br />
The scroll saw is a very versatile machine to include in your workshop kit. The range of tasks it can handle is limited only by your imagination,<br />
whether your interest is in art, craft, toymaking, intarsia or other aspects of woodworking.There are many publications available to guide you<br />
through the variety of craft and hobby projects that may be of interest. <strong>Carba</strong>-<strong>Tec</strong> stock a wide range of instruction and pattern books for those<br />
just starting out as well as experienced scrollers. Some newsagencies and internet sites also stock magazines and patterns that you can buy<br />
or download.<br />
Just as there are a wide variety of tasks that can be handled by scroll saws, there are also a great variety of models and prices to consider.<br />
Your first step should be to identify the sort of work you will be doing, then you'll be able to select the machine that covers your needs and fits<br />
your budget. Entry level machines primarily allow external cutting with pinned blades. These are fine for basic projects, and prices for these<br />
machines start around $140. However, if you intend to do finer detail work with internal cutting you will need to look for a machine that uses<br />
pinless blades, preferably a machine that allows easy fitting and quick release of the blades.<br />
I have used a wide variety of machines over the past eight years with mixed levels of success and frustration. Without a doubt, when you are<br />
working on projects with multiple fine internal cuts, blade release from the bottom clamp and the ability to raise the upper arm and blade out<br />
of each cut makes scrolling a much more enjoyable hobby. The Excalibur scroll saw has this feature and many more that make it, in my opinion,<br />
the best machine available on the market.<br />
Other features include:<br />
Quick blade changes with finger operated blade clamps, no tools required.<br />
Head tilts 45° left and right, tilting the blade, not the table, keeping the workpiece level for better control, more accurate cuts and<br />
safer usage.<br />
Easy access speed and tension controls.<br />
Organised blade storage on base.<br />
Onboard dust blower.<br />
Positive stops at common angles.<br />
I had the pleasure of demonstrating the Excalibur at last November's "Hands On" exhibition in Brisbane. The aim was to focus on getting new<br />
users to try the machine. We had a series of basic jigsaw patterns copied onto 19mm radiata pine board pieces. After a brief introduction to<br />
safety and operating procedures, a number of volunteers tested the machine and were impressed with the ease of operation. Most kept their<br />
completed project as a souvenir of their experience.<br />
The Excalibur scroll saw is an easy machine to use and to gain confidence with. There is no vibration or blade wobble as occurs with some of<br />
the lighter machines. The oblong, heavy-duty steel table surface supports your workpiece, making it easy to manipulate the most complex of<br />
cuts and designs - whether you are using a standard profile blade or a spiral profile cutting blade.<br />
Other points to consider when you start your scrolling include blade selection to suit the task at hand, speed range to suit the material being<br />
cut, blade tension to maintain cut direction control and also feed rate of the material into the cutting blade. These issues are covered in many<br />
of the scrolling publications and also become apparent with continued practice and projects.<br />
Blade selection is made easier with the extensive range of Olson® scroll saw blades that <strong>Carba</strong>-<strong>Tec</strong> stocks. Each blade<br />
pack has the manufacturer's recommendation for specified use of the blade profile, in particular<br />
its suitability for use with timber, MDF, brass or aluminium sheet, etc.<br />
Excalibur scroll saws come in two different sizes - a 21" and a 30" model. I encourage<br />
you to enter the wonderful world of scrolling, and highly recommend the Excalibur as<br />
the machine to give you the most satisfaction and success.<br />
Go to www.carbatec.com.au to see our range of products and pricing<br />
Focus Project:<br />
Scroll Saw Family<br />
Portrait, go to<br />
Focus issue<br />
December 2010