All the cat people in your life will appreciate this sign. He is about 10 inches long.
Is the scroll saw a great tool or what?
If you have an hour free you can run to the shop and make a project on the scroll saw. If you have a weekend free you can dive into a more complex project. If you have the next six months free you can build a large Bell Tower fretwork clock.
The projects can be as simple or complex as you have the desire to tackle. The skill required can be developed in a reasonably short time. Most people have a pretty good grasp of the basic techniques in just a few sessions sitting at the saw.
The cost of entry is not terrible. It's not cheap but you can set up a modest scroll saw shop without breaking the bank. You can start with just a few tools and add more as your interest grows. A scroll saw and a hand drill will almost get you started. There are also thousands of free patterns out there so you can always find something to build.
Wood can be expensive but we have a big advantage as scrollers. Most of our projects use very little wood. There are thousands of projects you can make from scraps left over from larger woodworking jobs.
The scroll saw will be your largest expense when you are getting started. I am not one of those guys who tell you that you have to buy a top of the line scroll saw or you are wasting your money. Almost all of us started with an entry-level machine. It's true that you will have a better experience with a nice saw but you can get a lot done with an entry-level machine. I have seen incredible projects come from even the cheapest machines. I'm not recommending the cheapest machines but if that's what you have then make the best of it.
The scroll saw is relaxing and safe. Once you get the techniques down it is almost a Zen-like experience to sit and cut wood on the scroll saw. Most woodworking tools require your undivided attention to make sure you don't have an accident. If you have an accident on the scroll saw you may need a band-aid but you will still have all your fingers. This fact also makes it a great entry into woodworking for children.
If you like to make things you could do much worse than a scroll saw.
Why am I outlining what all of you already know? Because I hope you can use these ideas to convince others that they may also love the scroll saw. I recently had an email from a reader whose wife had practically never set foot in his shop. Out of the blue, she decided to give the scroll saw a try. Now he needs to buy another scroll saw. :) Who knew. The scroll saw is fun.
When the opportunity arises, take the time to let others know that the scroll saw hobby is something anyone can do. It's not difficult, expensive or unsafe. It's relaxing and fulfilling. Maybe even profitable.
Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever.
Products for your consideration:
$12 for a sheet of 12 coins.
I can put two sheets in an envelope.
Make any project special with these inlaid signature coins.
Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.
The DVD is $10 plus shipping. This is a data DVD that you will use on your computer to watch the video tutorial
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2017 in DVD
Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.
This DVD has 2,300 patterns published from 2007 thru 2017.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
If you use the DVD on a Windows PC there is a simple viewer program to browse through the patterns.
The DVD also works fine on a MAC. The viewer program is not MAC compatible but there is an included PDF with all the patterns shown as thumbnails for easy viewing.
My two "Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw" books make it easy.
The books are $12 each and available for instant download after purchase. Click for Video Demonstration.
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DEWALT DW735 13-Inch, Two Speed Thickness Planer
I have owned this thickness planer for a few years. It has given me problem free use. It is built extremely well. Two speeds for even the tough jobs.
- Powerful 15-AMP, 20,000 RPM motor (10,000 RPM cutterhead speed) handles larger cuts in wider materials with ease
- Three knife cutter-head delivers 30-percent longer knife life and makes knife change faster and easier
- Two speed gear box allows users to change feed speed to optimizing cuts per inch at 96 or 179 CPI
- Fan-assisted chip ejection vacuums chips off of the cutter-head and exhausts them out of the machine