Another "how do I make this cut?" thread

[dennis thompson]

I make a lot of toys for my grandchildren. I am currently making a hearse, (yes a hearse). I use my Craftsman scroll saw for many interior cuts. This hearse project requires some very small interior cuts.
My Craftsman saw has pinned blades so the blade won't fit in the small hole and the drill bits I would have to use to fit my blades make the hole larger than the required cutout.
Now I know the first reaction will be...."easy just buy a new scroll saw that doesn't have pins":). To be honest I've thought about that but at this point I'm not ready to buy a new saw, since for almost all cuts my current saw works.
Can anyone suggest a way to make these small interior cuts?
Thanks

[Brian Holcombe]

Fret or coping saw?

[Grant Wilkinson]

Could you use this to convert your saw?

https://www.olsonsaw.net/shop/scroll-saw-blades/pin-end-scroll-saw-blades-5-in-3-in-and-4-in/scroll-saw-conversion-kit/

[Lee Schierer]

Simply remove the pin from the free end of your blade, stick the blade through the small hole and then reinsert the pin and make your cut.

[andrew whicker]

How much do the pins need to stick out? Can you file them down?

[dennis thompson]

Larry
I tried that, the pin won't come out
Dennis

[dennis thompson]

How much do the pins need to stick out? Can you file them down?

I think trimming them down would allow them to fall out

[dennis thompson]

Could you use this to convert your saw?

https://www.olsonsaw.net/shop/scroll-saw-blades/pin-end-scroll-saw-blades-5-in-3-in-and-4-in/scroll-saw-conversion-kit/

This looked like a good idea, however the reviews on it were terrible, seems to break easily

[Lee Schierer]

Larry
I tried that, the pin won't come out
Dennis

You probably will need to make a block with a small hole to catch the pin and tap it out with a small hammer and a little punch. I suspect once it move you can pull it out. Try it with a broken blade or two. A little finger nail polish will hold it in place when you put it back.

[Ted Phillips]

Fret or coping saw?

I agree with Brian. Get a good fret saw from someone like Knew Concepts. You can use if for lots of other detailed cuts as well as wasting out dovetails. The KC saw uses unpinned fret saw blades and is an outstanding tool to add to your shop.

TedP