Nurses do a demanding and stressful job during normal times. These times are anything but normal. In some hospitals, nurses have gone through hell and back the last two months. I wanted to design a simple pattern that could be cut quickly and not use much wood. I thought this might be easy for scrollers to make a few and send them to their local hospital.
Here is a list of all hospitals in the US. If you click the link, the address is available. If this is something you would like to do just address the package to the Nursing administrator at the address of your hospital.
If you have a nurse in your family, you could delete the letters at the bottom and replace then with a first name. I included a blank in the pattern. I also included an ornament that you may be able to use this Christmas.
How much difference is there between entry-level saws and the high-end saws?
There are very few days when I don't receive an email asking which scroll saw to buy. Most of the time they know their budget. If the person is getting their first saw they normally will want to spend less money. They want to know if they will like the hobby before they jump in with both feet and a fat wallet.
I am not one of the people who will discourage someone from buying an entry-level saw. I just try to point out the differences between a $100 saw and a $700 saw. I have owned and used saws in every price range. I enjoyed all of them, at least until I found something better.
In general, all scroll saws cut wood with a fine blade. The blade can be removed from its clamp and pierced through a hole in the wood to make interior cuts. A scroll saw is capable of making very tight turns. Curves are a piece of cake for a scroll saw.
Every scroll saw I have ever owned will do all the things I listed above. So why would anyone ever spend $700 when they can get the same cuts from a $100 saw? You always hear that "You get what you pay for". There is a ton of truth in that but it's not that simple.
Here is what you get from the different saws in these price ranges. The more expensive saws will almost always give you considerably more reliability. The new out of the box problem rate will be less on high-end saws. The high-end saws will be more pleasing to use. The vibration will often be less. Blade change will be easier. Typically the high-end saws have more adjustability. After the purchase support will be better most of the time.
Entry-level saws get you started on a budget you can more easily explain to your spouse. :) With patience, you can do almost any project on an entry-level saw as on a high-end saw. It will probably take longer and frustration will be higher.
I started with an inexpensive Craftsman saw many years ago. I loved it and I hated it. When the blades did not break I was able to enjoy the hobby. Unfortunately, the blades often broke because the upper and lower arms were out of alignment. I only learned that after a few years. I just thought it was normal. So would I buy that entry-level saw again? If that is all I could afford or all that was available, then yes. I would make it work until I could save up for a better saw.
If I had the money and a better saw was available then I would go for the high-end saw. I already know I love the hobby. I scroll almost every day. I am used to easier blade change and low vibration. For me, the value from a more expensive saw outweighs the extra cost.
What I want you to take away from this is that if you are thinking about getting into the hobby, do your research. Decide on a budget and jump in with both feet. That is how you learn.
If you are starting with the WEN 3922 for $115 then master it and learn to make it work for you. Buy from a good source with a decent return policy and if you have trouble send it back.
If you can jump into the Pegas 21" scroll saw for $760 then I am sure you will be pleased. It is a wonderful saw.
I only picked the Pegas and the WEN as examples. There are many nice saws available.
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in its 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:
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2019 on DVD
This DVD has over 2,900 patterns published from 2007 thru 2019.
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.
All the same file but in an easy to use thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
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 in an easy to use thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
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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Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
