Graduation time is here. Many of you will have children or grandchildren graduating soon. This is a simple text in text pattern that you can make for them. You can add their name to customize it for them if you like. You can use Inkscape to add the name directly to the pattern or use a separate pattern and glue it to the plaque. You want the name to be around 7 1/2" long.

The plaque is 9" wide and 4 1/2" tall. I used 3/4" thick wood.

You can use my free online pattern generator to make the name.

Entry-Level Scroll Saws:

Should you buy an entry-level scroll saw? This is a tough discussion to have. I can easily give reasons for and against buying an inexpensive saw. Let's just talk facts.

Many of us including myself started out with an inexpensive entry-level scroll saw. Some of these low-end machines are slightly better than others. None are great. All of them will take a blade and make it go up and down. They will all cut curves in wood.

There are definitely a few of these low-end saws that I would not suggest you buy. There are others that depending on your expectations might give you some service. With patience, you can even have good results with an entry-level saw.

If you are here on my blog then I will assume that you have some desire to cut more than basic shapes on the scroll saw. If that is true then you want to avoid the cheapest saws if possible. Some of these Pin End Blade Only saws are designed to cut basic craft shapes.

The most popular of these very low-end saws is the $99 machine sold at Harbor Freight. I receive email from many folks who purchase this saw. This is one of the saws that I do not recommend unless you have a clear understanding of its limits. It is best suited for basic craft cutting. The reliability is poor. I know the price is tempting but if you can possibly spend a bit more you can do better.

Another popular entry-level saw is the Porter Cable sold at Lowes. This saw sells for around $200 and will give you the ability to cut more complicated scroll saw patterns and have a better overall experience. It has all the needed features and will accept plain end blades. It does have its own set of problems though. Blade change is difficult and the reliability is average at best.

When considering a scroll saw purchase there is one feature that stands out above all others. Pin end blades vs plain end blades. You want a saw that accepts plain end blades. Plain end blades come in smaller sizes that we need to cut some of our intricate fretwork. Plain end blades will go through much smaller interior entry holes. I design my patterns with 1/16" diameter entry holes as my lower limit. It's really tough to get a pin end blade through these holes. This requirement will eliminate many of the low-end saws.

As you move up to mid-level or high-end saws you start to get a better experience. Lower vibration, more consistent power to the blade, easier blade change, and better reliability.

Easy blade change is more important than it may seem. Some scroll saw patterns can have dozens of interior entry holes. If inserting the blade through these holes is frustrating then your experience will be frustrating. The clamping systems on some low-end saws are designed poorly. They may need a tool to release the blade. They almost all have clamps that pivot while inserting the blade and are difficult to get used to. While I prefer easier blade change it is possible to get the job done even if the blade is a bit more difficult to change.

Reliability is obviously a consideration. You don't want to spend a $100 on a saw then throw it out in a few months. Reliability can be connected to the amount of use you will put on the saw. If you already know that you will be cutting a few hours a day to get ready for a craft show then you just can't get by with a low-end saw.

Okay, so here are my final thoughts on the subject. I have seen scrollers produce very nice work on even very low-end saws. With patience, you can make these saws work. If you understand the limitations and really can't justify spending more then you will be in a long line of scrollers who have started out with an entry-level saw. I did it and almost everyone I know did it that way. I would not want to go back to an entry-level saw but it got me started.

Some people who start out on a low-end saw will give up on the hobby because they get too frustrated. That is a very real possibility and the strongest reason to start with a better saw if possible.

Your frustration is very likely related to the design of the saw.

If you already own an entry-level saw then make the best of it. If it only accepts pin end blades then see if you can get a conversion kit. Here is a site that sells conversion kits for many saws.

If your saw has so much vibration that it is hard to use then see if you can place an anti-vibration mat under the saw to make it better. It can help. Also, make sure you clamp it down to a stand or workbench.

When it is time to move up to a better saw then take a look at the Delta 40-694. It is currently selling for $371.13 on Amazon. This is the lowest price you can pay for a decent new mid-level saw. Blade change is easy. It has all the features you need and the reliability is average to above average.

Next in line is the DeWalt DW788. It is going to get close to $500 but is a very nice saw.

After those mid-level saws, you get to the saws that you want if you are a serious hobbyist or professional cutter. Pegas, King, Seyco, Jet, Excalibur are all popular brands in the States.

Click to Order

$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping

Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.

The perfect way to sign your work.

Video Demonstration Link

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Products for your consideration:

Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD

Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.

This DVD has over 2,600 patterns published from 2007 thru 2018.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.

Click here to Order.

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.

Now Available on USB Thumb Drive

Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.

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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.

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

Unique Wooden Vases:
Want to create beautiful wooden vases on the scroll saw?

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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