SCROLLSAW703

Wooden Teddy bear is reasonably priced, & good service. Try them out! They have Olson & Flying Dutchman blades.

they are good folks, rocky! you'd enjoy their company, learn alot, & meet the the whole crew! some folks don't have the appreciation for the American Farmer branchin' out into other businesses. But you bein' part of the Hawk family, you wouldn't be disappointed on your trip, my friend.

Trust me jes, you're not alone. my Father used to tell me forgettin' things comes with age. As Doc Holliday once said "not me, I'm in my prime"! Well, the prime is gone, I'm afraid, but the clock hasn't struck midnight. yet. My memory ain't what it used to be, I admit it. The biggest mistake I make is thinkin' I'll remember that, I don't need it to write it down. Yea right! I don't keep any blades around the saw except the ones I'm usin'. Confusion sets in, & then a huntin' party to look for blades if I keep to many.

Ya know Kevin, I ran into that some when I was gettin' started 25+ years ago, too, but, like most everything else in my world, I started readin' & doin' some research, & went to orderin' from mike's, & when mike passed, I went to orderin' from wooden teddy bear. I ain't had no problems with them. In lookin' at sawbirds' website, the blade sizes they have to offer are most the common use blades. I don't know. I may just stay with wooden teddy bear.

I've been usin' Olson & FD for years, & been happy with them. I tried a couple dozen of the Pegasas breed blades & I weren't to impressed. But that's been a few years back. Just glancin' at the sawbird website, looks like they might be worth lookin' into. Thanks for the info.

I, again agree with eye appeal. Most of my projects are 1/2" hardwood, unless the customer asks different. I use 1/8" for ornaments. I don't use much 1/4".

to answer your original question, imo, size does matter. Before the size of the saw should even be considered, decide on what type of projects you're considering, & shop space available, & electricity available. As a rule, most 16" saws are entry level saws. And, sadly enough, you get what you pay for. Mostly boat anchors, unless you buy a higher end 16" saw. Don't get discouraged by opinions. Only you will know what size of saw you can handle. A Hawk, for example. If you have ample shop space, a good concrete floor, I would suggest a 20" saw, but that is preference & experience. If you decide scrolling is for you, & decide to stay with it, the more experience you gain, the bigger saw you can invest in. Scrolling is a fun, relaxing, & educational hobby. Trust me when I tell you, all of us here were once where you are now. And have spent many years of scrolling on different saws, reading, reading, & reading, & makin' sawdust some more.;) Just keep askin' questions, & we'll do our best to help you the best we can. And welcome to the forum!

not on my computer, but I'll get one on.

ya have to figure out what works in your corner of the world. I've taken a lazy suzan that was given to me & epoxied 3 pieces of pvc to it for pencils, pens, etc. in the middle of it, i used drywall screws from the bottom up for odds & ends drill bits, etc. there is still room for other things on it too.

thank you Len, I appreciate it my friend. We are both doin' ok. She is doin' better since she has went back to work. She enjoys being around people. As for me, like I posted on tuesday, my cardiologist has released me to go back to the shop. He said I could even drive. But, my legs are perty weak from bein' stuck in this chair so long. So, we are back to physical therapy again. Supposedly "more intense" but I think its comin' down to how ambitious the therapist is. I've got leg exercises to do, & walking without her, but I made it clear to her I was goin' to start goin' to the shop some, regardless. I don't think she had much of an issue with it.;) So, from here, hopefully, we're movin' forward. I'm smellin' sawdust in the air!!!:):)

geez! Mr. Travis must think I'm doin' somethin' right. He gave me 6 more trophies today! man, & i thought i was just an ol' scroller stuck in my ways.;) thank you, travis!

and I appreciate that phone call, my friend! it was good to chat with you as well! I hope you're staying well, & keep keep makin' sawdust!

I'm sorry for your loss, rockytime. There aren't many of us ol' drivers left to bring the history with us. ya know, my bride & I, & a good friend of ours, was at the Mcdonald's not far from here yesterday. Their delivery truck from denver was over 3 hours late, & couldn't even get in their lot right to unload. When we left, I was havin a look see at his tractor, & on the side of it, right behind the drivers' door was " 3 time state driving champion, & 2009 driver somethin' else. I stood there a little bit readin' that, & my bride & friend asked me if I was ok. I said yea, & pointed at his braggin' rights, & told them ever' truck I ever drove had permits in that spot, by law. And we used to run 150,000 - 180,000 miles a year, sometimes more, & the only award we got was another dispatch. I just shook my head & walked away. When we got in the pick up, I said to my bride how obvious it was he couldn't back up as many times as he had to go around their store to get where they wanted him. Guys like that are the ones ya see runnin' alone in traffic.;)

thanks Mr. Kevin! and your kind words, too, mr. travis. that explained things. after readin' that, there are others in the village that are far more deserving than me. even if travis does go back to last october. i certainly appreciate it, though. kinda makes a feller feel like bein' a scroller, yer knowledge & years of experience does help folks on occasion.:) I appreciate it mr. travis!:) sincerely, Sir!:) sometimes us ol' bulls get the feeliin' we're bein' put out to pasture. i do, anyway. it's a good idea you come up with, mr. travis. i sincerely appreciate what you do for us here at ssv. this has become a family to me. it's a great place to learn, read, & help others. thank you again.

good evening ssv! hope all is well! i have to say today has been one of the more emotional days i've had in some time. i had a check up with my cardiologist today, & frustration has built since the last check up. after a verbal altercation with him, & explaining to him he twisted the wrong bulls' tail, i wasn't there to sit. i wanted answers. he told me he weren't goin' to be treated like that, & i said good! me either! start actin' like a sawbones. he come around & we finally got some of the answers we been after for sometime! he released me to go back to the shop!:):) he did tell us some information about the medications i'm takin'. answered several other questions. even told me i could drive.;) then i get on here, & my likes say i won two trophies! one for lending a hand, & the other for an ice breaker! what do those mean? not to sound dumb, just would like to know what i did to "win" trophies? it made things a little better to end the day.:)

here in Kansas, thunderstorms are part of livin' here. i've got all my tools on surge protectors. 4 windows in my meager little shop. i just keep workin' thru the storm. we ain't got hurricanes in this country, an occasional tornado might sneak thru, but i just keep the shop goin'. i think it is a critical point in shop safety, & a little common sense, imo, the table saw is one tool that shouldn't be used in a thunderstorm, saw stop or not. planers, ras's, & jointers fall into that situation, as well. it's your shop, i don't tell anybody what or how to run their shop. but shop safety is important, along with your safety. jm two pennies worth.

didn't we have one of these threads just not to long ago? i would have to also say, to add to your list, do as much of your sanding as you can. down to finish sanding, before you tape the wood. some may differ in opinion, but it'll save ya headaches in the end. example: as soon as you get your pattern cleaned off & the project is clean, i wipe mine down with mineral spirits. you can lightly go over the project with a palm sander, & not only put a finishing surface on it, but get most of the little fuzzies. when ya spray your adhesive on the back of the pattern, learn to use light spray coats. there ain't no need to "saturate" the pattern with adhesive. i hang my patterns on a cord or small rope with a couple clothes pins, spray the adhesive on it, then let it dry awhile, & stick it. no problems with movin. i would also mention, if you choose to sit to scroll, choose a chair with some back & full leg support, & that puts you higher than your saw deck. I sit in a barbers' chair, & have for years. it gives me the ability to adjust heights to my different saws. a foot switch ain't a necessity right out of the chute. learn the process of how scrollin' works first, & if you're even goin' to like it & keep scrollin'. No offense mr. lew. it's good information.

best of luck to you, Charlie! Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Be sure to check back often to keep us updated on your progress & healing. Your saw your will miss ya! Mine is is packin' their clothes to move to somebody else's shop. It's been so long since I've been able to use them, they get to thinkin' I fergot'em!;) heal quickly, my friend!

excellent article, iggy! sorry I missed the news. It would have been worth watching!

You hit it on the head, gonzo! Ya may be standin' beside somebody who's broken inside, & don't even know it. Sometimes all somebody needs is to make them smile & grin just to forget about their problems for awhile can be a lifesaver. I'm speakin' from experience. Folks like you are more appreciated than you truly realize. Keep entertainin', brother! Over the years of trucking, I had two different cb handles. One was farmer bcause I wore overalls all the time, & the other one was bulldog. Several of the drivers I ran with at the last company I spent my last 12 years of drivin' decided since bcause I'm short legged, stout in the chest & shoulders, & kinda gotta "might bite ya" attitude," they started callin' me bulldog, & it stuck with me. My name is Brad, when I ain't in trouble. When I'm in trouble with my bride, I'm "g** da****** Bradley Wayne! So ya can kinda take it from there.

Scrollin' faster rocky causes wrecks, brother.;) Enjoy it while ya can! No doubt you have a personal relationship with your Hawk. Congrats on the new saw! From here on, you'll see big differences in your work. I don't use spirals a lot simply because of the reasons already mentioned. But, I've learned that tension is an important factor with spirals. Your project looks great! I'm sure your ggd will love it! Keep makin' sawdust! God Bless!

Rockytime, give your cousin my best. Most of us don't get much recognition until we're old & done. I'm sure, without a doubt a in my mind, he was one of the best out there!

thank you all, sincerely. Meflick, rockytime, & woodduck. It's good to hear back from you. The prayers are working. But frustration is setting in, along with warmer weather. It's past time to be in the shop. I'm trying to convince them to let me go over to the shop for therapy sessions at the shop, Meflick. Hopefully they'll listen. Thank you all again. The feel of family support here is awesome!

Thank you Mr. Rolf. I sincerely appreciate the compliment. Kinda gettin' off the main trail here, & I don't want anybody to holler about it, but, I grew up in the trucking business. My Grandfather had trucks, & my Father had 10 on the road. Dad & I maintained them when they come in, as well. Although I was bred for it, I started drivin' when I was 12 or 13 for Dad. At that time, we had sugar beets in this area. Dad always contracted at least 4 or 5 trucks to farmers to haul beets. Plus the 10 we had on the road. We were busier'n two tom cats in a gunny sack from the end of September til into February sometimes. Haulin' out of the field to the beet plant was my first education at drivin'. And spendin' all night doin' repairs to the beet trucks so they'd be ready to tear up the next day. And before ya ask, yes, I did miss numerous days of school. But, in those days, a family business, we did what we had to do. By the time I was 16, I was runnin' over the road for Dad. A lot of the time with Dad, followin' suit. Dad had bull racks & grain trailers at the time. One of our hottest runs was out of a feedlot here in Kansas to Queens, New York. 6 or 8 of us would load 1200 lb bulls & be in Queens, New York in about 2 1/2 days. That was my first run. My career went on from there. I did manage to graduate high school. And went right back to trucking. I drove OTR 30 years. Throughout my career, I hauled everything from eggs to explosives. The only wreck I had in that duration ended my career 6 years ago due to my health. I've been in every state but Alaska & Hawaii, & have been in some of Canada & Mexico. To earn the title of a professional driver takes a lot of miles, no accidents, several things. Not to sound conceited, but I was a professional driver. You respect others the same as they respect you. The truck becomes your home, & you protect it as such. My apologies for jumpin' off coarse here, but, Rolf, I sincerely appreciate your respons.

Well, as it sits, health wise & pocket book, ain't neither one of us buyin' much of anything but meds, groceries, & payin' bills. I've got most of the toys I want. There's a few lathe items out there I'd like to have, but they're just a dream.:( We've spent nigh on 25 years puttin' our meager little shop together. It ain't nothin' impressive, but everything is paid for. These kind of threads tickle me. And some of it goes back to when I was on the road. I didn't ask my bride much about what she was spendin' as long as the bills were paid & groceries were bought. And she didn't ask me, bcause she knew I spent as little as possible, & that was on food. Showers were free when I bought fuel. Every Native American Reservation I went thru, my bride did get new ear rings. That's her thing! The dangly kind. Or on occasion, a t shirt. Sometimes she'd have to wait a month or better to get'em before I seen home again, but, man, she liked them ear rings! Tools were a little different. I never bought a tool til I had need for it, or we could afford it. My bride would look at me, look at the tool we just bought, & after the what's it for? question, then comes just where do ya reckon you're put it question. That's been my only justification.