floridagramps

I am recently retired and bought myself a DW788 which I assembled today. Will begin the learning process tomorrow. I bought a workbook with a series of exercises which I will through as I gain some experieince. Would appreciate some tips on the following: 1. how can I make the DW788 stand mobile? Has anyone added casters to 2 legs? What type? 2. what type chair will be most comfortable. Should I get a stool or a chair with a bacK 3. Is 1/8 hardboard a suitable practice material Any suggestions appreciated

Florida Gramps here. Took delivery of my 2nd Dewalt 788 this weekend. First one was DOA. Second one seems to work fine. I did not elevate the front leg and the table is fairly level. A scroller at Tampa woodworking show this weekend suggested sitting tall, keeping back straight and only scriolling for an hour or two at a time to minimize fatigue and mistakes. This same scroller also suggested an adhesive called 777 or something similar that I can buy at Home Depot. Anyone have a better suggestion? He had some beautiful fretwork clocks on display and told me I should be able to do the same in a week or so. We'll see. I purchased a scroller workbook at Woodcraft w 20 or so lessons which I will work my way through this week. Each lesson gets a little more complex. I suspect that learning by doing is the only way. If anyone has suggestions for a newbie w 10 thumbs, I am all ears. I am practicing with 1/4 plywood scraps. What should I use for more serious projects and where do I get it? Is Baltic Birch the preferred wood for most projects? Please suggest suppliers. I will be very interested in trying contrasting wood projects.........is 1/4 inch walnut and maple the preferred way to go? I have watched numerous Steve Good U-Tube sessions. He makes it look so easy. I will buy some lemon oil and dump it into a plastic container w top. Steve seems to just immerse his finished project into a lemon oil bath and then let them dry. I assume one must brush off the excess to avoid puddling. I bought some painters pyramids at the Tampa show which should be useful in finishing scroll saw projects. I also purchased 2 DVD's from Woodline (known primarily for router accessories). One of them will eable the user to scroll his name and a few words into a hammer handle and the other will enable the user to create a template where all the letters in a word are connected and ready to be scroll sawn. So I have plenty to do this first week as a scroller. I have a light with a magnifier which I bought years ago. Any suggestions on attaching this magnifying light to Dewalt 788? I think I have seen reference to a 3rd party product that keeps Dewalt upper ar elevated when changing blades. I enjoy this forum and look forward to being a contributer. My wife has an Olympus digital camera which I intend to borrow. She found the accompanying SW very difficult to use in downloading pics to web. I am looking for an easy way to download pics. Someone suggested getting a card reader that plugs into UBS port on PC to facilitate reading camera memory cards and then downloading Picasso and Voila you'll be off and running. This is what I intend to try unless someone has a better suggestion. This has been an overly long posting. I apologize but I've let my enthusiam for this new hobby run away. floridagramps

great suggestion. Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Will buy the Envirotex soon. My first scroll saw, Dewalt arrived today..........from Woodcraft. Sawdust starts tomorrow

I have an idea to make three nested serving trays using free plans from minwax. I'd like to cut some images of Florida wildlife, then attach same to tray bottom, then seal to protect scroll art perhaps using an epoxy resin. I did a search but came up w zero. Has anyone made serving trays who can explain how the scroll art is fastened to tray bottom and then sealed to protect scroll art from food residue or spilled liquids? My first choice pattern would be a sandhill crane. These birds which can be 4 feet tall and have striking red colored heads are very common in my part of Florida but I have been unsuccessful in looking for patterns on the web. If anyone has an idea where I might find such a pattern that would be appreciated.

I ordered a Dewalt 788 from Woodcraft and it ships tomorrow. Included in the order is a scroll sawing workbook with 25 lessons which I have seen recommended elsewhere in this forum. I am the newest of the new and have yet to touch a scroll saw Would appreciate a suggestion as to what blades I should order and who I should order them from. I am planning on using 1/4 inch Baltic Birch for first projects. Good idea? I want to keep it simple until I get a feel for scroll sawing. Would Steve Good's suggestion to simply dip the finished scoll saw cutting into a lemon oil bath be adequate for finishing first projects. Hope to produce a valentines gift for SWMBO as my first project.........will help justify this investment. Can someone point me at instructions for attaching digital pictures to new threads and I'll show you my first attempt? This is a great forum and I'm glad I found it. I really look forward to growing in this hobby and sharing ideas and resolving questions via this forum

I am buying new Dewalt this month. Should I buy the Dewalt stand or make my own work bench? What do experieinced scroll sawers find to be most comfortable? My first thought is to buy the Dewalt stand and attach wheels so I can move it around my cluttered garage. I will defintely attach a magnifying light and a foot control based on my readings in this forum. I am 70 and not too agile and the vision is not what it once was. I am a newbie and very thankful that this forum exists

I should have asked for a 3-way comparison including the RBI Hawk of which there are several model 220 on craigs list. My dilemna is a new Dewalt for $520 vs used RBI or Hegner for about $450

I am new to scroll sawing but don't want to waste my money on entry level machines. I have pretty much rationalized buying a new Dewalt at Grizzly w light and stand. However there is a used Hegner on Craigs List for $450. Would appreciate your thoughts on which way I should flop. I am retired and interested in making toys personalized boxes etc for grandkids. I do not expect to get involved in heavy duty scrolling or fretwork I am fat fingered and concerned about blade threading. If I go for the Hegner I will have seller demonstrate that it cuts accurately and how to thread blades. Anything in particular I should be cautious about with a used saw? I heard that hegners now go for $1200+ new Thanks for your suggestions

I am just getting started and will buy Dewalt 788. Is buying the Dewalt stand a good idea or do most scrollers prefer to sit in a chair and have scroll saw closer to ground? Appreciate suggestions re scroll saw height and what type chair or stool might be most comfortable. If mounting scroll saw closer to ground is advisable, I'd also appreciate suggestions on how to minimize vibration and maximize stability I see Steve Good dipping his finished projects into a lemon oil bath(?) and then it looks like he uses a spray on shellac(?) for final coats. Can someone point me at a vendor for these products. Suggestions from those of you who have been there and done that much appreciated

Just joined today. I am recently retired and live on gulf coast of florida about 80 miles south of tampa. It feels more like NH tonight and we will have a hard freeze. Will buy a scoll saw shortly most likely dewalt 788. Have not been able to find one on craigs list so I will check out grizzly option. Are any other scroll saws in the $400-500 range worth consideration My primary interest is to make interesting gifts for 10 grand kids. Looks like I'll get great ideas, patterns and support on this forum and from steve goody. happy new year to you all