MyRealName

Just a couple quick tips for anyone sinking money into a set of tools, as I have dropped about $3k in various tools in the past year (with some mistakes.)

-If you want a simple way to look up free reviews on tools is to do a simple search on Amazon.com. Just typing "Scroll Saw" will give you a plethora of products and their reviews from people who have purchased them. There is nothing that guys like more than aiding friends in buying tools... and most of the reviews seem very detailed, if not spelled horribly. I tend to think that those reviews are the most legit. On there you will notice that the DeWalt DW788 is getting about 88 reviews averaging 4.5 stars... but with a price tag of $630, I would pass it up in a heart beat because I am not the guy that will be doing all that scrolling. And this is where I start getting a feel for the market...Amazon works as a great tool to get your feet wet in a set of products.

- One tool that is an absolute must, probably more important than any for any hobby/trade/craft is this: a sturdy, practical ***WORKBENCH***. You will immediately relieve a million pounds of stress off your back and mind, just by having the designated flat top and vises to work on your parts. The bench at the right height for your body type and size to fit your work will relieve so much stress that you will notice that the time will just melt away while you work. to make it cheaply, I have a study table that is made of 2x4s and a 1-1/2" piece of MDF with about 10 coats of polyurethane on it. You want something that is the perfect height for you (and in my case, my 29" inseam) and heavy to really have that rugged feel. I also don't really care about painting on it because MDF is relatively cheap to replace. Trust me kids: You will NEED your bench after you use it for a while. I shudder when I see all of the pics of people's work here on carpet... Don't you guys get claustrophobic? I would go nuts on a rug or kitchen table. (shakes head) A very simple plan can be found and easily modified here.

-An Effeminate place to find cheap tools that get the job done are at your neighborhood pawn shops. Its where I have bought my personal scroll saw: A cheapo, but barely used Craftsman. I can tell it doesn't have the bells or whistles, but for the small load I put on it, it gets the job done. I do a sweep of the pawn shops every 2-5 weeks and nab up anything that looks of usefulness. And make sure to haggle. If you are going to buy multiple products you really have some buying power. I was able to knock off a load off of the pneumatic nailer i really wanted by also buying a lunch box planer with it (that I gave away as a gift to my friend for helping with a home improvement task.) Don't be afraid to deal!

- Last thing: Listening to people talk about tools is awesome. Face to face testimonials are better for sure. However, before you buy: HOLD YOUR TOOLS. If you don't touch them, how the hell are you ever going to love them? I read that DeWalt cordless tools have been the best for years, but they have always felt a little funny in my hands. I never really felt comfy until I held the Bosch Impact driver in Menards... Now I couldn't be happier. You might be a Milwaukee guy or a Hitachi lover... who really knows until you really feel the weight and see yourself working with your tools. They are a huge investment, and if you really care about them, you could use the same ones for the rest of your life.

I hope this helps. I have a workshop that I am always in flux about building and am here to lend a hand if anyone has any questions. Happy hunting guys!

Edit:

I also realized that a lot of the people on here are a little younger than I am and don't always have the square footage to play with to make a workshop a reality. I submit to you guys a Popular Science workbench planthat takes up a very modest amount of space. I would personally put some peg board behind it and you would quickly be able to get ot your fasteners or tools with some hooks. Good Luck!

Even being a new member, I can tell that this is going on too long.

IamSpartacus... just get a titan, make a scientific test (rig to hold at level, many shots to eliminate effects of outliers, and make the barrel the only variable) and report what you have got. Show a video and everyone will be even more impressed.

Ideas look awesome on paper, but no one remembers anyone for the plan. Events are remembered by doing. I am excited to see what you find out! One way or another, you will come up with something that people can use.

No.

If it was CPVC cement, then it is at least partially a solvent weld..

I completely agree with you, Bob, if it had mentioned anything about using CPVC cement in the original post. However, he talked about using epoxy. I just assumed that he used the 2 part stuff that he found near the JB Weld. If I am not mistaken, a very small if any plastic welding will occur in that joint.

The most likely reason why the thing cracked, is that you mismeasured.

...and that makes the rest of the conversation moot. Great point.

I have no doubt that the amount of work there might be a little daunting, but trying a method here where it is obviously a lost cause can teach someone valuable skills. You are prepared in the future if you accidentally epoxy a non-replaceable, or heavily machined piece. Experience is invaluable.

I think it falls upon the "Teach a man to fish" theme.

And if you fail at this said "fishing," buy a new on and try again.

Plus, this gives you the added side benefit of having an excuse to buy proper PPE.

If you are pretty adept at handling chemicals. You might want to try Milbond.

It is some pretty nasty stuff, but my girlfriend, who was an optician a couple years back offered it as an idea when I got some epoxy all over a set of metal rails in my garage. With the metal rails, I just set it within a bucket with the Milbond and, after time, came right off.

Its made for dissolving the bond between epoxy and metals, but if you are careful, and wear the proper protection, you should be able to undo your CPVC cement.

You will probably have to mask the area you are working with, and then apply a not so liberal amount of the chemical on the seam. I would do this every 15-30 minutes and wipe it off. Then reapply. To see if your method is going to work, make a sample, that looks relatively the same, and test.

If you do use it, remember:

- Read the MSDS. Follow all precautions on it.
- At the time that I used it, it said to use a 100-1000 Respirator, eye protection, PVA gloves, and be in a ventilated area. I used some chemical goggles, my chemical respirator, some gloves, a rubber apron, and I did this all outside on a sunny day. This stuff will knock you on your ass. Do not, do not, DO NOT work with it unless you are using proper PPE.

Good luck!