The scroll saw is an amazing tool. There are an unlimited number of things you can create with the scroll saw. Imagination is truly the only limiting factor. Scroll work can be used in something as small as jewelry or as large as furniture.
The projects can be utilitarian or pure art. Unlike traditional woodworking projects, there is very little measuring or calculating needed. Just stick the pattern on a board and start cutting.
There are an amazingly large number of patterns available in books and online. Some are free and many are available for a modest amount of money. Just in my catalog alone there are over six years of projects if you completed a new project every day. Add in all the other designers and you could probably spend the rest of you life cutting something new every day.
Add to all these wonderful facts that the scroll saw is one of the safest tools in a woodworking shop. You might get a nick from the blade on your finger or a blood blister when a board pinches but I have never heard of a life changing injury from a scroll saw. It may have happened but it is extremely rare and probably involved a saw falling out of a five story building.
Speaking of life changing. I get email weekly from readers who tell me the hobby has made a significant difference in their daily life. Stress and depression are a plague in our country and around the world today. Many readers of my blog have written to me, letting me know that spending a couple hours on the weekend in front of their scroll saw gives them a chance to zone out and relax. Cheap therapy.
The scroll saw can be accessible to people who would have difficulty working with other larger tools. Stroke patients as well as many other people who have serious health issues use the scroll saw to help in their rehab. Pull a chair up to the saw and go to work.
If you take the time to read my blog then you are probably already hooked on the hobby. You don't need a speech about how much fun it is. I'm writing this thinking about all the people who have no idea what a scroll saw is. They may have never considered working with wood. How many of them would love the hobby if they just knew it was so much easier than they thought? I am sure there are thousands of people who would enjoy the craft if they just had a little nudge to get started.
When you have the opportunity give that gentle nudge. One thing our hobby desperately needs is an injection of youth. The demographics of our community is aging every year. Economically that is not the best situation for the companies who manufacture the tools and supplies we need. They don't want to manufacture tools for an industry that is declining. That's bad for all of us.
If the opportunity presents itself take a little time to invite someone to give the hobby a look. You just might change their life.
Click image to enlarge.
You can also enter your photo by email. service@bearwood.com
January's 2WAYS2WIN contest had great participation so Stephen at Bear Woods and I want to do it again.
WAY2WIN #1: Click the link above and enter the giveaway. That simple. Enter everyday.
WAY2WIN #2: Post up to three photos of your wooden trains, planes or automobiles on the Bear Woods Facebook page.
I bought this DeWalt Random Orbit sanders back in 2016. This corded single speed unit sells for a very modest $59. They also sell a variable speed unit for $79. If you combine this quality tool with good sandpaper the results are excellent. If mine ever fails I would buy the same unit again. I have not found a need for the variable speed unit so I would stick with the $59 deal.
I have a few of the DeWalt tools and they have been very reliable and high quality. If you are in the market for a nice random orbit sander at a great price then give the DeWalt DWE6423K a look.
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.
your source for Pegas scroll saw blades and craft supplies.
for your scroll saw ready boards.
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
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.
