Scrollsaw Workshop Blog www.scrollsaww... Upgrade Parts wenproducts.co... WEN 3921 Video Review • Is this the best $100 ... WEN 3921 Amazon Link amzn.to/2EQWOS1
I purchased the Wen 3921 directly from Wen and it arrived yesterday. To my surprise it included the no-pin adapter that you show and it also included the 3920 adapter that you install in this video. It also included the M4 16 screws with knobs on them. There were no instructions for it, but thanks to your video I will know how to proceed. Thanks for the great videos.
Just received my new 3921 and it came with both the original "hanging" type adapters as well as the version shown here with thumbscrews already installed.
Very timely video. Just got this saw recently and it came with the alternate brackets, as well as large thumb screws to replace the hex bolts. However, the owner's manual did not mention them or indicate what they are for. Now I know. Thanks!
Just unpacked my WEN 3921 yesterday. Watched this video and then went to go purchase the other pieces but it was sold out buttttt I looked in the parts baggie and lo and behold there were those pieces you have and they even have the thumb twist pieces you were wanting to have!!! Thank you for this tip! Game changer!
I went to the wen website it says sold out so I contacted them to see if they would let me know when they would have them available. They said they do have the parts you just have to call them and order that way.
Just bought the 3921 and went ahead and ordered the upgrade parts from Wen linked here in the video description. I wish I had checked the parts bag that came with the saw because it now includes the upgraded blade holders as well as two thumbscrews for clamping the straight blades. No need to order the upgrade parts anymore. Got mine from Amazon.
Thank you sir! My saw will be delivered today. I bought two of these adapters and I’ll be immediately making a mold of it so I can replace them on demand.
Been using this adaptive device shortly after purchasing this scroll saw. Works very well. Wore out the side set screw, but scew was easily replaced at local hardware store. Been using for about two years without any other problems. With the "J" hook in the front, pin blades are easily used.
This also works on the Harbor Freight scroll saw, with a slight tweak to the mounting hole. A file could be used. I used a taper reamer & only took 3 or 4 turns, by hand. Finding a thumbscrew was another thing. I used a bolt with a wing nut cinched up tight to the head & secured with CA glue. I want to see if the tension mechanism will work as well. Maybe the table too.
Ah, at last I get a chance to comment and thank you for your advice and tuition. I am just starting with a scrollsaw I was given but have watched all your videos form years because they are so informative and enjoyable. I reckon I will soon be upgrading my saw so your advice in the past will be very valuable when I look for a new one. Many thanks, Brendan.
Thank you for an excellent demonstration - WEN should include a link to your video in every owners manual since they provide NO instructions on the adapter use or installation ( at least for the 3933)
I just got this exact model (from Amazon). Much to my surprise, it CAME WITH these new clamps Steve is talking about. In addition, they have a proper wing-nut, not the small allen key nut that requires the tool. Pretty nice. It's certainly not a fancy saw, but it cuts and it's fun to use!
I just received my 3921 2 weeks ago from Amazon on sale and it came with these adapters. However it vibrated more. So I weighed the stock set at 13 grams and the adapter at 13.7 grams. I sanded .7 gram off each one and the balance was restored to previous minimum vibration. Some grease should be applied carefully to the threads only to increase life.
Thank you so much for this info. I plan on ordering one today and this was so helpful and so well explained, especially for a newbie like me. Again, thank you.
UPDATE: WEN seems to have heard the criticism; the unit I just picked up includes 2x3920B-031 (the better holder) each with an easy to hand tighten screw (large wing-nut). :)
Update 2: the thumbscrew they supplied, I could not apply enough pressure. I purchased 2 hex screws from local hardware store for ~$1, and use a T-style hex tool very successfully. I’ve made multiple small projects this way.
I bought these in an attempt to adapt my saw to hold pinless blades. I had to hunt for information on adapting for pinless blades and after a RU-vid video, this is where I landed. I have model 3920 and these are already on it. I realized that after the fact, but nonetheless, they do not hold a pinless blade at all. No matter how much you tighten, the blade will pop right out with any tension. I also did not need the screws as the description led me to believe - they are already on the saw. I tried to return for a refund but WEN does not cover return shipping, therefore the refund is a wash. I didn't bother sending back. Wish I could've ordered from Amazon.
good informational videos thanks for making them, i know the work involved in acting and editing! My suggestion is use a lapel mic for better audio. $20 will well worth it!
I wrapped electrical conduit around the lighting arm and it did the job resonantly well the second upgrade I made was change the way the machine receives pinless blades,I swapped out the screw with the Allen wrench for a twisting locking mechanism and now I cut the blade changing time down from 5 minutes to one minute if you want to stop vibration from this machine put it on a stable base and you won’t have any vibration problem solved
UPDATE. WEN is replacing the blade holder I used in this video with an improved version. It is supposed to fit better and come with a wing nut to tighten the clamp. It is still a couple of weeks from being ready to ship. 12/23/19. You can contact WEN at 847-429-9263 to preorder.
I literally ordered this saw Monday 12/23 and it is sitting on my porch right now. So of course the new version holders are coming out in a few weeks! LOL
the kit came with my new 3921... i felt stupid for the life of me I couldnt figure out how to install the adapters so I thank you so much... I want to start cutting some projects and your video solved my problem and quickly... thanks what blades do you like most or does it depend on the type of wood and the intricacies of the design?
First time scroller, bought this saw a few weeks ago. It came with these parts, with thumb screws, so that was nice. BUT, I can’t get the bottom one to grab the blade regardless of how tight I crank down on the thumb screws. The blade still slips right out. Before I realized my saw came with these, I ordered a set from Wen. I’m hoping I can get the new ones to actually grip the blade, because I gotta say, blade changes on this thing really suck the fun out of learning a new hobby. I’ll do my best and keep saving money for something better.
Hi Molly. None of the entry-level saws get the clamps right. It is unfortunate because it really should not be that difficult. Take a close look at the bottom clamp. Make sure the blade is being contacted on each side when you tighten the thumb screw. If it is then take some sand paper and lightly roughen up the contacts on the bottom clamp. I have seen them come with contaminants like oil and paint on the contact points.
Funny you made the comment of finding an M4/16 screw but I would think it's worth the time to re-tap to 8-32, 10-32 would be my choice. I have seen thumb screws for 10-32 / Grainger Dog-Point Clamping Screw, Knurled Round, Thread Size #10-32, Thread Length 1 3/8 in @ $4.60 Each. a much better way to go.
Even though this video is over a year old I wanted to add. I bought the wen 3921 and it came with everything it was supposed have but it also came with the blade holder from the 3920 as well.
In Brazil their sell by SKILL. I have one and made some upgrades. The plastic cover was replaced with wood more sturdy. For dust collection made a air blower gig straigt out to the blade cut point and to the botton connection.
that block has no locating pins, but does have a slight raised side on both sides of the screw. The one you fitted on the top had the raised sides on the top, I assume it was the reverse on the bottom block, I think you put them on the wrong way round
A question for you Steve...any idea why the easily removed L side cover wasn't carried over from the 3920 to the 3921 model? You'd think that a substantive tweak on the basic design would carry to the newer/more expensive model.
I went to the wen website it says sold out so I contacted them to see if they would let me know when they would have them available. They said they do have the parts you just have to call them and order that way.
My wife gave me in the mid nineties a Dremel Scroll Saw. It looks almost exactly as the Wen. Differences I see are my saw is two speed and has no attached light. Also there is no quick release on the tension. I’m sure that this modification will work on my saw also as it has identical blade holding mechanisms. Thank you for the info.
What type of wood do you typically use? Been playing around with some scraps but was wondering what you use in this video/prefer for this saw. Thanks so much for your videos!!
Hi Steve. It looks like Wen now has a new model 3922 scroll saw for about the same price as the model 3921. It looks like they have changed the blade attachment assembly to something that will make it easier to do inside cuts with a plain end blade. The advertising is not specific so I am not sure if I am correct. I would appreciate it if you could help with more complete information. I want to do fret scrolling with a plain end blade. The Wen 3922 interests me and is affordable. Thanks for your help.
Steve , new scroller here. I just bought a Porter cable 18” saw. I think it’s one you did a review on recently . I like everything about it so far except the blade holder. It’s c combination one that I can use either pined or non pined. The thing I don’t like is the way it swings making it hard to hold the non pined blades in place when tightening. Is there a replacement that is ridged like the on I see here on the Wen ? Or another way of installation that would be easier , Mike
Hi Michael. The Porter Cable saw was rated the best entry-level saw a few years ago by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts magazine. It has gone up in price recently but so has most of the saws. It is a nice saw. I did review it several years ago. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fAsZXqV7wJQ.html For some reason all of the entry-level saws have that floating clamp design. It is a bit of a nuisance but I do not believe there is a replacement that is solid.
You think WEN would have given some instructions (other than a one page sheet that is useless) for the alt pin holder. Like the saw but the instructions overall were horrible.
The old style blade holder can hold the pinless blades or the blades with pins. I don't see how this new upgrade blade holder can hold the pinned blade. And how about turning the pinned blade sideways for a rip cut, avoiding the back neck of the saw?
Hi David. Yes you are correct. The new blade holder is specifically for plain end blades. Many scrollers never use pin end blades so for them this is not a problem. If you need pin end blades then this would not be an upgrade. The feature of side loading the blade is the same problem. You may have noticed that none of the mid-level or high-end scroll saws accept pin end blades. Pin end blades are something that is rarely used except for very basic patterns so I guess they thought they were not something many people would need.
When I first bought my 1st scroll saw it was the Wen 3921 and it came with those clamps you bought and for some reason the switched to the one you took off supposedly because they said it was better and easier to work with but they actually made it more difficult to work with. I'm not sure why they did that and it wasn't an upgrade it was a downgrade.
I bought the Upper/Lower Blade Holder for WEN 3920 and the 2 hex screws part #'s 3920b-033. My question is how do I know where the pinless blades go in? Do they go into the j or do I put them up against the the hex screw. Please will someone help me with this?
I just bought a scroll saw but being inexperience i bought one that just uses the pin blades, i wish to use pinless also, but the link is saying soldout i will keep checking, want to cut like the youtube stars
Just bought this because I wanted to get into the hobby a bit. It was 90 dollars. Comes with all the accessories like the tightening screw with a nice black "wing" nut handle. So it is all there. NOW, ANYONE NOT DO ANY OF THIS WORK LISTEN. The "painless" blades are a nightmare. The so called teeth (I have olsen) are so small that i had to see which way the teeth go with a loupe. And feel is useless too because you get it near the "clamp" and then screw it with the knob (provided) it can be pulled right out. Look, maybe I'm going something wrong, but I doubt it. These little tiny blades and their holders are not for people that don't want to use loupes. I think I will send it back or give it to a young kid and buy a band saw. I hate little things like this, rather carve with my hands then tiny power tools. VERY, VERY FRUSTRATING. P.S. I am really good with my hands and have trouble. If you are average to below average you will be pissed unless you get lucky.
Hi James. Your frustrations are shared by a lot of people just getting started with the hobby. Entry-level scroll saws commonly have poor clamps. They are usable but they take practice. I have been scrolling for over 30 years and still have trouble with these inexpensive saws. Luckily mid-level and high-end scroll saws solve these problems. Of course, you pay much more but they give a much better experience. Pinless scroll saw blades are very small but you don't check the teeth direction by looking at the teeth. You rub your finger along the teeth and feel the direction. That part of your frustration is your technique.
You have to remove the side panel on the left side so you can get to the screw from the bottom. Make sure you use the hole closest to the rear of the saw to insert the screw.
I have a problem with this adapter..when 1st time tightening the blade it is fine..but when i take out the blade & try to insert again it becomes tight...it seems that the clamp tightens & dont return to position after opening the screw...can someone explain what am i doing wrong? Very much appreciated..thanks
Loosen the clamp at the rear of the saw first. Then reach under the left side of the saw and rotate the cam on the motor so that the lower arm is at the highest position. That will give you enough slack to slip the blade into the upper holder.
Frustrated...your video is about the adapter but what is the part number or where can you get these...is it me or did you make it clear and I missed it??
Hi Joe. The information is in the description. Unfortunately, they are sold out and I'm not sure they will be replacing these parts. The newer WEN 3922 uses a better system with different parts. I think the new parts are compatible with the 3921 but I would have to call WEN to be certain.
Dear Steve. Have you seen the mount that Alexander Kulibin makes? In my opinion, this is the perfect solution for fixing the file. I apologize for the translation of Google. vk.com/as23as77 can be seen on his page in VK.
We can buy these clamps in the UK from a company called Axminster ...They are a lot better than the clamps that came with the saw I use but they are made of cast iron and have a tendency to crack after a few months of loosening and tightening ... In the UK we dont have a great selection of saws to pick from ..Usually they are all like the Wen one you have ...Axminster do have a Jet saw and Excaliber but the price is just too much .Link for the clamp in the UK if anyone interested... www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-blade-clamp-for-awvfs-scroll-saw-400124