Comments on: Moto-Saw: Now in a New Cordless Model

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:39:14 +0000

Danny,

The label says:

115 volts
60 cycles AC
50 watts

By: Dan Aycock

Dan Aycock — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:47:31 +0000

I have a version of a Sears scroll saw that appears to be only one evolutionary step above your tool. It operates(ed) in the same process. It also suffered the same age related issues. It now resides, cordlessly, on the "antique" tools shelf in my shop. I found the broken/frayed wire connection on the armature a mere instant prior to applying power.

By: Joseph Sullivan

Joseph Sullivan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:06:17 +0000

HMMMM

The fully manual version sounds very much like the Minnesota version of a Norwegian chain saw — a hacksaw body with some chain blade fastenen whee the hacksaw blade would normally go, and a spark-plug welded on top

Joe

By: Kerry Doyle

Kerry Doyle — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:20:48 +0000

I had a dremel moto tool I purchased in 1966 that I recently discarded because the internal wiring had finally disintegrated and fixing wasn’t an option. They sure made those tools to last.

By: Jon Johnson

Jon Johnson — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:03:44 +0000

Maybe if I attach a handle to the arm of my Dremel Moto-shop and hold it upside-down…..

On second take, maybe this is why Mr Dremel had second thoughts and invented the MotoShop which uses the same pin blades!!!
The difference is that the oscillator is a motor & bellcrank design (like many modern scroll saws) in place of the vibrator.
Dremel (and others) used vibrator actuators in other tools too. A 1950′s Dremel pad sander my dad had comes to mind. Many shavers and hair clippers too.

By: Will Matney

Will Matney — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:56:44 +0000

I would venture a guess, that Mr. Dremel, got the idea for this saw from the old "vibrator’s", that was used in the old tube-type automobile radio’s of his time.

The vibrator was a reed type relay that ran off a solenoid. The armature actuated a switch that caused the magnet to switch on and off, thus causing the armature to vibrate.

The armature has a natural frequency, and this was adjustable on the saw by the armature adjustment. However, there is a switch where the armature will break the electrical connection when in the down position, and it could be dangerous if any of the insulation is missing.

Back in those days, safety was not as big of a concern as it is now, as can be seen by the open wiring on the tool. If the saw body happened to become shorted to one of the line leads, and you tipped a ground somewhere, (Water Pipe), you could be electrocuted.

The saw could still be fixed, but I would leave it to someone experienced in this type of work, as new insulation will need to be made for several pieces of the saw.

Will Matney

By: Danny

Danny — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:10:47 +0000

Hi Chris

Just for kicks, and if there’s a label, can you tell me what the frequency is.

By: Jonas Jensen

Jonas Jensen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:13:53 +0000

As you have quoted in one of the earlier copies of Woodworking Magazine:
"think about it, everything with a cord ends up in the landfill eventually"

By: Stan Suther

Stan Suther — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:39:34 +0000

I think you discovered, as I did with mine, why this design didn’t go on to become the standard of coping saws.

By: Gregg Counts

Gregg Counts — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:32:26 +0000

Given your experience with power tools I think we understand now why you like hand tools so much.