Introduction - Hello Everyone!

[DavidF]

Hi Everyone,

New to the scroll saw community. I joined a few weeks ago but haven't formally introduced myself. My name is David and I'm new to scrolling, and still a beginner with woodworking in general. Prior to scroll sawing, I had a bit of experience with light (honestly very light) construction. I've built two decks at my parents house, the first one by myself, and the second with some help from my fiancee and mother. Nothing fancy, but decently nice.   

As for how I started getting into scrolling, my fiancees grandfather was a phenomenal scroll saw craftsman. He made so many ornate pieces that are now scattered throughout our house, as well as her entire families homes. He got polio weeks after going to Korea serving in the army in the 50's. He never saw combat because of the diagnosis but left him with no use of his legs, but he was an incredible person. He passed last December, and I wanted to find a way to include him in our wedding (this coming November). He had made my fiancee a life stages pattern that has a section depicting marriage, and I'm going to copy that design and build it into a ring box pattern that I found from Steve Good's catalog. I've made a few of these boxes as practice runs and they've not turned out super well... but they're functional. I'm proud of how far I've come after only scrolling for a week... but I have a loooooooooong way to go before I am anywhere near proficient with this tool. 

Equipment wise, I have a barely used Dewalt DW788 that I found on MP for 250 bucks. It works great. I've been mainly using Olsen PGT double reverse teeth no. 5 blades. I'm finding it difficult to actually understand blade types. I have some regular reverse tooth no. 5 blades as well but I haven't really used them. 

So far I've made a few of Steve's patterns, and also worked through a few of the scroll saw workbook exercises from John Nelson's book, and I'm getting better, but I can't seem to make boxes that are free of gaps and where the fit/finish just look nice and not like poor craftsmanship. I know practice is the key here, but I also am finding it hard to find good tips online. I find most woodworking YouTube channels to be unhelpful. Seems a lot are more for showing off than actually teaching anything. I don't have a jointer, planer, or bandsaw... but I do have a ryobi table saw, skil compound miter saw, and a few other power tools. 

Anyway, that's an intro to me. I'm really enjoying scroll saw projects and look forward to meeting some of you soon!

[jerry walters]

First, David, you hit the nail on the head- practice, practice, practice.  I agree with you that most of what you find on you tube is people showing their skills and not teaching.  There are some that are pretty good and give good tips.  Will have to get back to you on that.  And blades, so many to choose from, but you will find the ones you like best.  One of our members, Denny Knappen, sells Pegas blades and he can help you a lot.  And then the folks here are very helpful.  You will enjoy your stay here.  When I first joined, I spent many hours going through the posts here.  You will soon find out this site and scrolling can and will become very addictive.  Welcome to Scroll Saw Village.

Jerry from Colorado

[Ber Gueda]

Welcome from Southern Europe, David. 

I think this is one of the best places where you can be to get some advices about scrolling, finishings and so on.

 

[daveww1]

welcome to the village

[Denny Knappen]

Welcome to the Village forum from Tennessee.  As a Pegas dealer, if you would like to try Pegas blades, let me know.

[Mike Crosa]

Welcome from Miami, FL

[ChelCass]

Welcome to the Village David.  Steve Good's site is a good place to get tips.  He has several youtube videos that should help you out.  Also join his newsletter for almost daily patterns that he shares.  Also go on Facebook and join some of the groups there.  There are a couple of really good ones such as *Woodend you like to know* and a few others.   People there are very friendly and helpful.  

I use the Flying Dutchman Blades with #5 ultra reverse being my go to blade.  A lot of people like Pegas blades and Denny can help you with those.  A wise purchase would be to get a variety pack and see which blade you are most comfortable with. 

[Dak0ta52]

First, welcome to the Village. If you have questions, ask them here. The knowledge from the vast number of scrollers on this forum is enormous. This is where I started out a few years back.

Second, don't be afraid to tackle a job. Remember that all scroll saw pieces are cut one hole at a time. That doesn't matter if it is the size of a pin head or most of the project. I try to focus on which "holes" are going to weaken other cuts. I have found I enjoy cutting with the smallest  blade possible, usually #1 or smaller and because I cut mostly portrait type projects, they are usually spiral. I also use Pegas blades from Artcraftersonline.com which is a business owned by one of the Village members. Denny treats you right and has great prices.

Steve has some great patterns and are great for a new scroller. His patterns are typically more "usable" such as tools, vases, toys, etc. If you want to step into a little more complicated patterns, check out some in the Village library. There you can find some that are fairly easy all the way to very complicated.

I will say that you are diving into a great and rewarding hobby. It is very addictive. Remember to have fun. Please share your projects by posting pictures. That inspires others on the forum.

Happy Scrolling!!!

[DavidF]

On 9/16/2025 at 5:16 PM, jerry walters said:

First, David, you hit the nail on the head- practice, practice, practice.  I agree with you that most of what you find on you tube is people showing their skills and not teaching.  There are some that are pretty good and give good tips.  Will have to get back to you on that.  And blades, so many to choose from, but you will find the ones you like best.  One of our members, Denny Knappen, sells Pegas blades and he can help you a lot.  And then the folks here are very helpful.  You will enjoy your stay here.  When I first joined, I spent many hours going through the posts here.  You will soon find out this site and scrolling can and will become very addictive.  Welcome to Scroll Saw Village.

Jerry from Colorado

Thanks Jerry. It's much appreciated. I did get frustrated the other day when I moved to the normal reverse blades. Couldn't keep my lines straight whereas I didn't have that problem with the PGTs. I look forward to meeting everyone!

[DavidF]

Thank you everyone. The support is much appreciated. I'm already addicted but do find myself getting overwhelmed with the amount of choices on so many topics! 

On 9/16/2025 at 5:39 PM, Ber Gueda said:

Welcome from Southern Europe, David. 

I think this is one of the best places where you can be to get some advices about scrolling, finishings and so on.

 

 

11 hours ago, daveww1 said:

welcome to the village

 

6 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

Welcome to the Village forum from Tennessee.  As a Pegas dealer, if you would like to try Pegas blades, let me know.

 

5 hours ago, Mike Crosa said:

Welcome from Miami, FL

 

4 hours ago, ChelCass said:

Welcome to the Village David.  Steve Good's site is a good place to get tips.  He has several youtube videos that should help you out.  Also join his newsletter for almost daily patterns that he shares.  Also go on Facebook and join some of the groups there.  There are a couple of really good ones such as *Woodend you like to know* and a few others.   People there are very friendly and helpful.  

I use the Flying Dutchman Blades with #5 ultra reverse being my go to blade.  A lot of people like Pegas blades and Denny can help you with those.  A wise purchase would be to get a variety pack and see which blade you are most comfortable with. 

 

3 hours ago, Dak0ta52 said:

First, welcome to the Village. If you have questions, ask them here. The knowledge from the vast number of scrollers on this forum is enormous. This is where I started out a few years back.

Second, don't be afraid to tackle a job. Remember that all scroll saw pieces are cut one hole at a time. That doesn't matter if it is the size of a pin head or most of the project. I try to focus on which "holes" are going to weaken other cuts. I have found I enjoy cutting with the smallest  blade possible, usually #1 or smaller and because I cut mostly portrait type projects, they are usually spiral. I also use Pegas blades from Artcraftersonline.com which is a business owned by one of the Village members. Denny treats you right and has great prices.

Steve has some great patterns and are great for a new scroller. His patterns are typically more "usable" such as tools, vases, toys, etc. If you want to step into a little more complicated patterns, check out some in the Village library. There you can find some that are fairly easy all the way to very complicated.

I will say that you are diving into a great and rewarding hobby. It is very addictive. Remember to have fun. Please share your projects by posting pictures. That inspires others on the forum.

Happy Scrolling!!!

 

[Randyw81]

Welcome from Pennsylvania!

[Dan]

Welcome from Ohio.

 

[Wichman]

Welcome to the Village from SE Idaho 

[wombatie]

Welcome to the Village from Australia.

Marg  

[Scrappile]

Welcome to the village.  Looking forward to seeing your projects.  Do not be afraid to try different things. I suggest get some Pegas and Flying Duchman blades to work with, they seem to be the most popular.  Try different types and sizes, to determine what works best for you on the project you are working on.  Have fun.