The General International Excavator is known for its scroll saw that is capable of cutting on both wood and metal, making it suitable for construction in all kinds of applications. However, the machine is not designed for heavy-duty tasks and cutting beyond a certain limit may lead to damaged or warped blades. This could be dangerous especially if you are operating the machine while it is in use and the blade is not properly aligned. In order to prolong the life of your scroll saw and reduce the possibility of accidents, it is important to learn how to identify the different scroll saw patterns and avoid damaging the scroll itself.
One of the most common types of scroll saw is the General International Excavator. The basic design has a blade with two rotating blades that are attached to the front and back of a fixed frame that is secured to a workbench. The fixed frame usually includes an adjustable base, a clamp with pins and a lifting device. There are two types of tilting heads available on the International Excavator: the tilting head and the locking tail.
A flexible blade that is fixed in place and is motorized is what makes the General International Excavator scroll saw more convenient than other types, since you do not need a table or workbench to support it. Another benefit of using this type of scroll saw is that you can adjust the speed and the blade tension. On the downside, the adjustable speed woodworking saw has a shorter useful lifespan than the fixed rate.
Another feature of the General International Excavator that makes it more convenient is its variable speed motorization. The motor is able to change speeds depending on the application and the current load. This variable speed allows you to change the speed at which the blade turns. Some scroll saws use blade clamps to help maintain blade alignment while cutting.
Many scroll saws have blade clamps. These are simple plastic fittings that fit over the blade and help secure the blades. In addition to helping maintain the blades, blade clamps also reduce the number of cuts you need to make. Some saws have two blade clamps while others may have three. Some models of the International Excavator come with built-in blade clamps while others have separate blade clamps that you attach to the appropriate side on the saw.
Other features of the General International Excavator include the blade lift and the blade guard. Blade lift clips on both sides of the saw table surface so you can easily remove the blade without having to remove the entire saw table. Some models of the scroll saws come with a blade guard that prevents the blade from being accidentally turned as you work. It prevents your fingers from being scratched on the table surface as well.
Some scroll saws feature scroll blade changes. Some models are offered with one blade change per cutting session. The blade changes can be done in one of two ways; internally or externally. With an internally mounted blade change, the saw blade is placed inside of the saw table and moved up and down using a threaded connection rod. This type of blade change requires that the blade is removed from the machine before making any blade changes. Some saws allow you to simply replace the blade clamps as needed, saving you the step of removing and replacing the blades.
Some scroll saws feature blade guards or protection switch device. Switch protection device prevents accidental blade bind when the blade is not properly lined up. It also provides safety by preventing the blade from hitting the work surface when it is extended. Some saws sold have protection switch assemblies that can be easily removed for maintenance or to upgrade to a new saw.