[Jewelry making - Article 00589] - Re: [Orchid] The New Bonnie Doon saw

[Marty]

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    I will be in Phoenix / Scottsdale and also in Tucson, AZ during the 
    first two weeks of April. Can anyone PLEASE tell me if there is
    anyplace  in those regions where there is one of these marvelous
    Bonnie Doon  scroll saws to try out? 

    I spent a lot of time about two years ago asking various
    professional  metalworkers and jewellers around here about why I
    never heard of anyone  using an electric scroll-type saw for metal
    cutting.   Some said "it  can't be done" and some said they didn't
    know why it shouldn't work, but  they'd never heard of it.  Some
    said they were happy with their  old-style hand operated jewelers'
    saws, thank you very much - a bit  offended that their hard-won
    skills might be equalled by a mere machine.  (Remember "John
    Henry?")  I know the feeling - I felt the same way  when
    food-processors arrived in the world and my superior skills at 
    slicing and dicing were available to anyone with a few bucks.  (I
    can  still do a better job, though a bit slower - but good food
    takes time,  right?) 

    Anyway the whole set of responses was a puzzle.  Even the ones who
    didn't like the idea couldn't really say why.  I ended up buying a
    pretty good little scroll saw (Rockwell) with variable speed just to
    see  what it could do.  It wasn't designed for jewelry-type work and
    it  didn't do well.  Speed was not variable enough. And stroke was
    too short  - used only 3/4" of the blade - a real waste.   Broke a
    lot of blades.   etc .  But at least I gave it a try. Modifications
    to the machine  occurred to me but it didn't seem worth the candle to
    tinker with it.   So, OK, I have an extra machine I don't need. 

    But this Bonnie Doon saw sounds like the genuine article - So if
    anyone  has one on display, or one you've bought and wouldn't mind
    letting me  look at, or even try out for a few minutes, or even if
    you know where  one is - I'd be really grateful if you'd let me know.
      I'd hate to  order one sent all the way up to Canada on spec.  Pig
    in a poke, you  know.  I gather that, even if I am wild for buying
    one, it might take a  while as they are a new item and, with the
    reviews they've been getting,  they might be back-ordered. 

    Thanks very much for any responses. You may respond directly to me at
     hobnob AT shaw.ca 

    Marty in Victoria - 

    Where the Snowdrops are finished, but cherry and plum trees,
    daffodils,  forsythias,  crocuses, and  other spectacular vegetables
    are in full  bloom.  Yahoo! 

    PS - While you're at it - I'd also love to know of any Celtic music
    jams  where a good mandolin player would be welcomed to sit in. 
    Thanks again! 

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