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1939 vintage craftsman scroll saw restoration

5K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  Scootrkitz 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This is what it looked like when I picked it up.

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I picked up an old scroll saw on the Facebook marketplace. Not knowing much about them at all. I knew it was a 24" and thought that bigger was better. I picked it up for 35 dollars. Everything works however it is missing a few parts.
 

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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Here it is now during the process of bringing it back to working order. Model # 103.0403

This one has a GE 1/4 hp a/c motor. Appears to have oil ports on front and back..should I add oil?

Looks like it's missing the pump tube cap.

Mine has a switch for a light but there is no light at all, trying to remove it but how?

I was going to go with the original blue but decided that was too boring. Instead because of the time era it was made I'm going with a more classic look, hammered brown.

I decided to polish the pump tube arm as I always prefer to polish up aluminum if I can.

Still have alot of cleaning to do, stripping off this old paint and a lot of brake parts cleaner.

Those of you looking for a belt size for this, look below at pics.

I am replacing the dust boot with one my wife is stitching up with some brown khaki denim.

Enjoy.

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#5 ·
At first I was feeling like I wasted money on it but when I got it home and trying to clean it. Fell in live with the idea of restoring it..I've seen scroll saws today and they feel cheap and they are small..this is huge and heavy, yes it runs a little rough but having an old piece like this in my woodworking area is a lovely addition. I won't be using it for very detailed work. I might try and make some band saw blades for this so it can cut better..comparing this to my harbor freight 9" band saw it feels skippy when you feed the wood through but as I've read and researched that is normal for a jigsaw like this.
 
#13 ·
Well, it is almost done. Just a few finishing touches and tweaks, have to finish polishing the top and have my wife sew up my dustboot, I installed a bigger jigsaw blade and it appears to work. Haven't cut with it yet though. This saw is a beauty…does anyone know if theirs makes some noise from the gear box, it sounds normal but wanted to check..let's just say it sounds like a sewing machine!

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#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
You almost have given me an incentive to do my scroll saw that looks like that. It still has the original paint and motor that works. Great job on your on your saw!

- Woodmaster1
Let's see it! Do it. Its worth it. I appreciate it alot more. It's pretty much in brand new working order…I'm surprised the motor still works, it clearly has been properly oiled because I didn't have to do anything to it. Just a little oil leaked out when I was cleaning the motor. Haven't put more in. Plan to though. At least keep some 3 in 1 on hand.
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
Is anyone else using thicker jigsaw blades in theirs? I put one in and it cuts so smooth and like butter….

- Scootrkitz
I've been using a saw like this for years. I call it a "jig saw" rather than "scroll saw" with the distinction being how the blade is tensioned A jig saw uses a spring to provide blade tension and a scroll uses the arms pulling apart to provide blade tension. In my experince a jig saw needs thicker blades to work well while a scroll saw is able to use jeweler style blades. My local Woodcraft has thicker blades that work well but the selection is limited.
 
#23 ·
I think you got yourself a beautiful saw that you have fun working on and can be proud of. I assume it won't take pin-less blades but it will work well for silhouette cuttings and other decorative things. The first scroll saw I used as a kid was like that. We had great fun using it. I keep watching Craigslist for a great buy on one so I can restore it, like you have.
 
#24 ·
I think you got yourself a beautiful saw that you have fun working on and can be proud of. I assume it won t take pin-less blades but it will work well for silhouette cuttings and other decorative things. The first scroll saw I used as a kid was like that. We had great fun using it. I keep watching Craigslist for a great buy on one so I can restore it, like you have.

- PaulDoug
It does. All you have to do is punch out the pins. Okay so update on blades. I found what works best are a pack of coping saw blades from harbor freight. They are 6" long and that extra length is perfect so you can cut 2 by material, the jigsaw blades work good but I feel like it's bad on the pump tube.. It sounds just right with the 6" blades. Kind of like the sweet spot after final tuning. Yes keep an eye out I think they are definitely a diamond in the rough. It's a joy to use and that's what it's all about. Good luck on the hunt.
 
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