I have designed many Nativity scroll saw patterns over the years. If you search my free online catalog for the word "Nativity", it will display over 40 patterns. Today's Nativity pattern is a layered project in an open star. The parts are all 1/4" thick.
Crazy Prices: Shop with Caution!
I don't remember a time when it was ever more difficult to purchase tools. I monitor prices for many tools. The DeWalt DW788 is one that I track because it is so popular. Over the last six months, it has averaged around $550. That is a reasonable price for a pretty nice saw.
A few days ago The price started to rapidly drop. It hit a low of $399. That is a very good buy so I almost listed it as my affiliate link. Luckily I missed the post because the next day it jumped to $628.76. It did hit the low on Black Friday so that obviously had some bearing on the low price but how the heck does it jump to $628 the next day! It is still listed on Amazon for $628 so maybe that will be the norm for a while. I hope not.
I'll be honest, I would not buy the DeWalt DW788 for $628. It is a nice saw but the value proposition gets wanky at that price. The current price on the Delta 40-694 is $392.87. That is a difference of $235 for two saws that are basically twins. The DeWalt and the Delta are basically the only two mid-level saws so their price should at least be comparable.
The high-end saws are also up in price but they don't get the crazy extremes. The prices of these saws reflect the current state of shipping and availability prices but at least they are kind of stable. My two favorite saws are the Seyco and the Pegas. The sellers of these saws have been under pressure but they have managed to keep the tools under $1000. The Jet is just over $1000. The 22" Hegner is over $1600. The 20" Hawk from Boston Manufacturing is around $1300.
I like the Excalibur 21" saw at around $600. That would normally be a very good price but I am still not convinced that they have their quality control up to par after they moved to manufacture in China. For a while, I was receiving lots of emails about issues with the new Excaliburs. Those emails have slowed quite a bit so maybe things are getting better. It takes a while for me to get enough information to make a judgment so I am still on the fence with Excalibur.
I'm not including any of the entry-level saws in this. It is almost impossible to monitor those saws because there are so many of them. Their prices don't normally jump around as much. My guess is that because of the low cost there is more inventory which is keeping the prices stable.
If you are buying or helping a friend buy a new scroll saw just make sure you watch the prices. You may not be able to predict the prices tomorrow but it hurts when you find out the saw you bought yesterday for $628 was $399 the day before.
Here is a tool that is currently at a good price:
Affiliate Link
This Rikon 12" disk sander is a tool I use almost every time I am in my shop. I have owned it for a few years and it has been very reliable. I had to replace the on/off switch last year but that has been the only repair. I did finally replace the sandpaper disk this year. It lasted for a long time.
The tool is well made and very powerful. It sent me to the emergency room one night. I did a stupid and let my finger get trapped between the table and the disk. In about 1 second it sanded the tip of my finger off. A lot of blood but no permanent damage.
This Rikon disk sander is currently $259.99 on Amazon. If my memory is correct I believe I paid over $300 for mine. If it ever dies I will absolutely buy another one.
This link is an affiliate link. Please make sure you check the price if you are interested. They could change just like the DeWalt in the above post. If you look at the chart below you will see that since the middle of September the price has remained stable and below average. Good deals are difficult to find right now so this may be a good Christmas gift for yourself.
Order your Personalized Christmas Ornament Patterns:
Personalized Christmas Ornament patterns are $1 each with a five ornament minimum. Each additional name adds an extra $1 to the total. 5 ornaments = $5. 20 ornaments = $20.
After you place the order I will complete the patterns and email them to you with a payment invoice. You have to be completely satisfied before you pay.
I do not offer blank patterns. This is one of the ways I support what I do. I ask that you please not use the template to create your own custom name patterns.
My goal is to have the orders complete in three days. I will keep you posted if there are delays.
$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 2007-2020 on DVD
This DVD has over 3,310 patterns published from 2007 thru 2020.
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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Make sure you check out the Seyco Scrollers Drill