User:Jstapko/EngLab/toolcerts/scroll saw

Introduction
The scroll saw is for cutting intricate curves and holes in wood or metal. It should not be used for rough or heavy cutting because the blades are narrow (which allows them to cut curves), which makes them weak. This means that heavy cutting could break them easily. HCC's scroll saw is a Central Machinery model 93012.

Warnings

 * Wear Googgles and hearing protection when operating this machine
 * Secure loose clothing, long hair, jewelry, etc.
 * Make sure the blade is properly tightened before operating, to prevent blade breakage
 * With the machine unplugged, run the machine through at least one full cycle by hand to make sure that none of the parts are hitting. This can occur if the wrong blade is used, or if not properly tightened.

Quick Start Guide

 * 1) Put on goggles.
 * 2) Secure loose clothing, jewelry, long hair, etc.
 * 3) Unplug machine for initial alignment checks.
 * 4) Install the blade with the teeth pointing down.
 * 5) Make sure the blade is properly tightened. Ask a lab aide or professor for assistance if you are not sure.
 * 6) Confirm that the table is set to the proper angle.
 * 7) If it is not in place, install the throat plate. Make sure you hear it snap into place.
 * 8) Adjust the Workpiece Foot (fork shaped spring on front of saw) to a height at which it presses firmly on your stock.
 * 9) Cycle the machine through by hand to make sure that nothing is hitting.
 * 10) After confirming that everything clears, plug the machine in and turn it on.
 * 11) Adjust the machine to the desired speed with the speed control knob.
 * 12) Maneuver the piece by hand into the blade as desired.
 * 13) *Make SURE that your fingers are never directly in front of, or being pushed directly into, the blade.
 * 14) * note: Do not force the wood into the machine; Apply light downward pressure on the wood as you feed it into the jigsaw.
 * 15) Clean and vacuum your work area and the machine when you are finished.

Manual
You should read the manual for this tool before attempting to use it so that you can be aware of all the safety and health considerations that could apply. This wiki should not be construed as a substitute for reading the manual.

Blade Installation/Tension
Generally, the blade should be installed and adjusted for you. If it is not, request assistance from a professor or lab aide. If you must replace or re tension the blade, you should follow the instructions under "Removing and Installing the Blade," on page 11 of the manual. You may also find this video helpful.

The basic steps, as described in the manual, are:
 * 1) Assure that the blade is 5 inches long.
 * 2) Make sure the teeth are pointing down.
 * 3) " Make sure the pins of the Blade are in the slots of the Blade Holders."
 * 4) "Tighten the Blade Tension Knob by turning clockwise about two full turns."
 * 5) "The Blade is at the proper tension when the slack is just barely removed. Over or under tensioning of the blade causes premature breakage during operation."

Table Angle Adjustment/Alignment
Generally, the table angle should be set to square. You may want to check this for precision cuts by comparing it with a precision square. A small precision square should be available in a gray case on shelf CL 159 S13 L2. Alternatively, you can square the blade using the technique shown in this video. If you need to set the table to a different angle, seek permission from a lab aide or professor. Please return the table to square when finished with your work.

Throat Plate
A large hole called the "throat" is cut in the table to allow ample clearance for changing the blade. During use, the hole is covered with a black plastic object called the throat plate. This is roughly round, with an "L" shaped slot in it. The throat plate is for supporting the work in the immediate proximity of the blade, and must be in place whenever cutting. It can be installed with either part of the groove in line with the frame. There are semicircular recesses or notches along its edge, and these must be aligned with matching tabs protruding from the table. Once the tabs are lined up, push the throat plate firmly into the table until you hear it snap into place. The plate can be be installed in 4 different positions.

Workpiece Foot
The workpiece foot helps to keep the work from being pulled off the table by the saw. It is a "Y" or "U" shaped piece of chrome plated steel that hangs down from the upper arm of the frame and goes around the blade, like a sewing machine's presser foot (part #48 in the manual). It should be adjusted so that it firmly pushes on the work, but not so hard that you can't push the work smoothly through the cut. The foot is held in position by a knob mounted on the frame.

Cycle by Hand
If possible, have an instructor or lab aide do this.
 * Warning! Pinch Points - Be careful not to pinch your fingers while performing this test!

Cycle the machine through by hand to make sure that nothing is hitting. To do so:
 * 1) Make sure the machine is unplugged.
 * 2) Reach around behind the motor and underneath to carefully turn the motor shaft.
 * 3) Check for knocking of the "rocker arms" (part numbers 22 and29 in manual) against the frame (part # 11 in the manual). This is usually indicated by:
 * 4) *A bumping sound
 * 5) *Resistance to rotation by the shaft.

Cutting Your Work
'''Warning! Amputation Hazard! - '''Make SURE that your fingers are never directly in front of, or being pushed directly into, the blade

By this time you should have:
 * 1) put on all appropriate PPE
 * 2) Properly tensioned the blade and aligned the table
 * 3) Installed the throat plate
 * 4) Adjusted the foot
 * 5) Cycled by hand to check clearance

You are now ready to power up and cut. Plug the machine in and turn it on. Adjust the machine's speed to the desired level with the speed control knob. Push the work with your fingers into the blade, being careful at all times to make sure that your fingers are on either side of the blade, not being pushed directly into it. You may want to draw a line where you want the cut to help you guide the piece.

At all time fingers should be kept at least 2" away from the blade. Always apply light downward pressure on your work as you feed it through the scroll saw. Do NOT force material. Do NOT attempt to cut round stock, and Do NOT try to remove scrap material until machine has come to a complete stop.

Jammed Blade Procedure
Correcting a jammed or stuck blade is covered under "Jamming of Saw Blade and Workpiece" on page 9 of the manual. The basic procedure is:
 * 1) Turn the machine off, as quickly as possible.
 * 2) Unplug the machine.
 * 3) Remove the blade from the machine.
 * 4) Remove the blade from the workpiece.

Video

 * 1) Power Tools - Why You Need a Scroll Saw Posted by WoodWorkers Guild Of America on Jan. 18, 2011
 * 2) Scroll Saw Options: A Buyer's Guide
 * 3) Scroll Saw Pattern Transfer Made Easy
 * 4) Scroll Saw Basics Part 3
 * 5) Choosing the Right Blade for your Scroll Saw
 * 6) Scroll Saw School Lesson0001: Scroll saw blades Part 1
 * 7) Scroll Saw School Lesson0002: Scroll saw blades Part 2
 * 8) Building a wooden box
 * 9) Getting started in the scroll saw hobby cheap. Part One.
 * 10) Woodworking - Scroll Saw Tutorial Proper.Blade Tensioning
 * 11) Scroll Saw Cutting for Beginners Pt1Part 2
 * 12) Scroll Sawing and Woodworking
 * 13) Scroll Saw Blade Alignment
 * 14) Scroll Saw Blade Tensioning and Pre Stretching

Quiz
When installing the blade, which direction should the teeth point? left right towards the back of the machine up towards the front of the machine down Flag this Question Question 2 1 pts When cutting, what should NEVER be directly in front of the saw blade? air your fingers the cutting line your work piece Flag this Question Question 3 1 pts You should wait until the scroll saw comes to a complete stop before making adjustments, performing maintenance, trying to remove scrap material or changing the saw blade. True False Flag this Question Question 4 1 pts What type of stock should you use the scroll saw to cut? round wood flat Flag this Question Question 5 1 pts Before plugging the machine in you should run it through at least one full cycle by hand. True False Flag this Question Question 6 1 pts The work piece foot should: rest on top of the work piece not touch the workpiece clamp the work piece tightly to the base Flag this Question Question 7 1 pts What personal protection equipment should you be wearing while operating this tool? mask long sleeves hearing protection goggles gloves