Optional: Cut the back layer from plexiglass and hang the hummingbirds in the window.
Click to EnlargeThis hummingbird pattern comes in two sizes. The small pattern is 8" tall and the large pattern is 10.25" tall. The three layers are 1/4" thick. As you can see in the images above there is an option to cut the back layer from plexiglass so the light shows through. This makes a nice window hanging.
Cutting Acrylic can sometimes be difficult. The friction heat from the blade will melt the acrylic and weld itself back together. Use a skip tooth blade to reduce the heat. Cast acrylic seems to cut more easily. I have seen guys use oil but I have never tried that.
I do use blue painter's tape under the pattern to lubricate the blade. Every time I mention this I get emails telling me that the tape does not reduce the heat. You can write me if you like but I am certain that it does reduce the heat. The release agent in the glue on the tape is a lubricant.
You can also sandwich the acrylic between two sacrificial sheets of 1/8" plywood if that makes it easier for you to make the cut. Don't remove the protective sheet from the acrylic until after you make the cut. Practice on acrylic before you make your final cut.
Does your blade slip out of its clamp?
This video primarily applies to the mid-level and high-end scroll saws. This includes DeWalt style, Seyco, Pagas, Jet, Excalibur, and Delta. There are a few more sold outside the US as well.
This is an often misdiagnosed problem. People will start trying to tighten the thumb Screw tighter to hopefully keep the blade secure. This can just make the problem worse and more expensive to fix.
Another attempt I see to help the problem is sanding the tips of the thumb screw and set screw. This does work but not as well as the option I show in the video. The cost of the parts is under $10. If you have damaged the clamp body by over-tightening the thumb screws the cost goes up to $35 to $50 but it is still an easy fix.
The next photo is a DeWalt DW788 that has the clamp damaged. Look very closely at the point where the thumb screw and set screw meet. The gap at the top is there because the clamp was splayed apart from overtightening the thumbscrew. Replacing the set screws did not fix the problem so I had to replace the clamp body.
Here is the link to the Seyco clamp renewal kit
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$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
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