Taking the Chevalet (no not Chevrolet) for a Test Drive. #3: The Requested Video, Part One.

I like this unplugged approach, you can probably cut some wicked joints with it.

You need your own show keep it up..

-- life an woodworking is one big experiment

thank´s for the vidio clip :-)
I like that you can use most of the blade to cut with
compared to the two scrollsaws I have try´d years ago that only cut with a half inch or so
and seems to cut pretty fast too :-)

thank´s for taking the time to make it

take care
Dennis

So the whole thing acts as a scroll saw? I imagine that one could achieve amazing accuracy with such a fine blade. Very nice build.

-- Doug - Make an effort to live by the slogan "We try harder"

Yet again I am introduced to something new and cool! Awesome video Paul and very informative…. You never cease to amaze me my friend….

-- Dan ~ Texarkana, Tx.

As the inventors would say, “Magnifique!”.

How fine a blade were you using? It seemed to cut pretty fast.

-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!

Thanks everyone.

I was using a 2/0 marquetry blade from Lee Valley. They have two 2/0 blades, one can be used in a power scroll saw and the other is not supposed to be. This was the latter.

As for the speed, I’m afraid I was rushing to get the video done but the saw will cut very quickly in experienced hands.

-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/

At first, I thought that was quite a bit of work to go to just to build a clamp for some veneer, but once
again you have proved that a good craftsman requires good tools and that good tools in the experienced
hands of a good craftsman result in a great project. You have done it again, while I may never try a
project like this, I know that if I practice enough and am careful enough, I can produce enough kindling
to keep me warm while I appreciate your workmanship,LOL. Thank you once again for sharing and
inspiring.

-- As ever, Gus-the 74 yr young apprentice carpenter

I am well aware of the chevalet, but I have never seen one actually in use before. Thanks for the video, it was very interesting.

-- Mike, American in Norway

Thank you very much for producing a video of your saw in action. I let my FWW online membership lapse, so I wasn’t able to see the previous video. I am very interested in building one of these, so the more detailed information you provide, the better.

I have a question about the overall design of the machine. Why are the “moving parts” so far away from the blade? Is it a capacity issue for doing really large veneer sheets? It seems like the distance between the saw blade and the linear bearings could be reduced by half. It seems like you would start to feel the effects of flex in the frame members and give in the various joints and connections.

-- Tony - http://ravensedgetoolworks.com

Tony, I will have to let Paul address your specific question as to why there is little or no flex but I can attest to the fact there is none. I used his chevalet yesterday; the first time I have ever seen one and it cut beautifully. Now I am very much an amateur at this but I was able to make what I consider some very intricate cuts and had no problems at all (except with my handicapped vision).

-- Making Sawdust Safely

I hope we get to see the infinity rowboat posted to the projects section of the site (hint, hint).

-- Tony - http://ravensedgetoolworks.com

It is always good to see a video of something I’ve never heard of until this week. Thanks for posting. I too wonder why the arm is so long. From other chatter on these new Chevalets, I was thinking the foot clamp would be held tight as the blade is used, but it appears that you just apply really light pressure so you can constantly move the work around. Maybe an adjustable weight would suffice for the same? Still a bit confused. I’ll see if I can find other videos. And for goodness sakes, get that camera guy a tripod or a stick. :D Again, thanks for posting, it answered some of my questions.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

Thanks all.

Tony, The saw frame I have in place has a 22” throat. That is a slightly greater capacity than my DeWalt scroll saw.I have found that even this is not enough sometimes. If you look at the photos, you’ll see that the distance from the slide assembly to the cutting area is adjustable for different saw frames. You can get saw frames from 12” to 30” within the adjustment I built in. If you were doing only small work perhaps a shorter frame would suffice. rance, These new Chevalets? Are there others being built?

-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/

thanks paul
i too never heard of this tool
and wondered how it could possibly make those inlays of old

very impressive hands on work
simple and effective

so how do you keep the veneers stable to each other
spray glue
tape
or…........?

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle