Friday, November 20, 2009

But Wait ! If you order now I'll throw in the moon for free.


Here is an email I received from a reader named Jane. She was curious to know if the product sold on the website in her email was worth the price. I had seen the advertisement before but was turned off by the "Just one more thing" ad copy. I told her to give me a chance to check it out. I purchased a copy of the EBook and the bonus material. You can read my review below.

From Jane
I am new to using a Scroll Saw and wanted to find information to help me on the 'newbie' level. I ran across this website: Is what they are advertising worth it? I'm looking for a way to get started. Thank's for any info you give me.

The title of this EBook is "Scroll saw techniques and tricks to unleaseh the pro inside. Guaranteed!". The ad copy claims jaw dropping, never before seen, scroll saw techniques and templates that will have you creating profitable works of art in no-time. Guaranteed. They go on to say that your friends will think you are incredible when they see the quality and craftsmanship of your new woodworking skills adorning your home.

Okay the author has seen to many late night infomercials. It was hard but I tried to over look the Billy Mays approach to selling the EBook. The web is full of this type of ad copy and for some reason it works so you can't blame a guy for trying to make a buck. I held my nose and clicked the "Order Now" button. The price was $19.95 for the main EBook and the hundreds of dollars worth of free bonuses.

I was directed to the payment page where you can pay by credit card or Paypal. I used my Paypal account and purchased the product.

The ad said I would immediately receive the main EBook and two bonus items in a return email. One bonus was the Project Template EBook and the other was a woodfinishing EBook. After payment I received what they said in only a few seconds.

So far so good. They delivered the product just as described.

I decided to start with the main book. The forward introduces the two authors of the book in a some what witty approach similar to the "Dummies" books you see everywhere. From there they move on to the history of the scroll saw.

Here is the first paragraph from the scroll saw history chapter to give you an idea of the style of writing.

"What is a scroll saw? The scroll saw is a machine that consists of a
blade held by the top and bottom from two beams. The rise and fall of the
beams causes the blade to cut. Philosophers have wondered for centuries if
maybe the blade is stationary and the world shakes but, the idea was
abandoned for lack of proof. The scientists who studied this theory were
promptly shut down by the government. Their bodies were never found."

At this point I was starting to make up my mind about the book but I tell terrible jokes also so I moved on.

The next chapter is "Setting Up Your Scroll Saw". The most valuable information in this chapter was the explanation to loosen the knobs before you tried to install the blade. They also suggested re-tightening the knobs before starting the saw to reduce violent vibrations that might damage the blade or saw.

Oh boy, now I think you see where this is going. I have written some ridiculously bad post on this blog. My high school English teacher would put red marks all over this blog if she could but this EBook is starting to make me look like Mark Twain.

I'll be honest with you. At this point I could not continue to read the book. I started to skim the 93 pages to see if anything I saw would "unleash my pro inside" and find the "never before seen techniques and templates.". I'm still looking. Not really. I gave up.

The rest of the book is filled with tips that although valuable to a new scroller are not difficult to find online at many free scroll saw site. The shadow box templates are an interesting project idea. If the author had devoted the entire EBook to creating the Shadow boxes and included many more templates for them I think the book would have been worth the $19.95.

I have been a little harsh on the authors but I don't think they are trying to rip anyone off. I think they put in some honest effort to create a product of value. They just missed the mark in my opinion.

I would go on the review the bonus material but it's just not worth the time. There is some good information in the bonus material but it's poorly executed and did not hold my interest.

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This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!






https://www.bearwood.com/
Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!


Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties. Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

http://seyco.com/
Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Free Pattern Catalog. 1000's of free patterns.

http://www.stevedgood.com/catalog/

Thousands of FREE scroll saw patterns. No registration or signup required.

The projects form these patterns can be sold without restrictions. The patterns cannot be sold.

Click here for the Free Online Catalog.

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Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make. 

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order. Click the picture to order.
http://www.stevedgood.com/swpd/swpdorderpage.html
You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1
Download the Free Scroll Saw Pattern Printer Version 1.1. Create name patterns in seconds. Windows PC only.
Download Version 1.1
Please consider a $5 donation for The Scroll Saw Pattern Printer v1.1.

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker. Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.
The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed. Please consider a $5 donation for the program.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.
Download the Free Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker. Create Oval key chain patterns in seconds.
Download Version .9a
Please consider a $5 donation for The Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker.

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.
Buy This Wonderful Heirloom Puzzle Pattern

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.
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Disclaimer:
The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.

Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts