SCROLLSAW703

Howdy folks, I appreciate the compliments on my handy work. And my apologies for the title not bein' short enough for ya to read it all in one sentence, J.T. I hope ya didn't hurt nothin' by readin' all that at one sittin'.;) the process I use, JustDraftn, is perty simple. All the scraps of hardwood I have leftover from different projects, I save and glue together in "sheets," or long pieces of all different species glued together. When it gets long enough I don't have anymore bench room, I take the run to my RAS & start cuttin' 14" - 16" lengths until I run out of material. Then I run them over the table saw and trim them down to about 11 1/2" wide. the width of my planer is 12 1/2". But 11 1/2" is wide enough for what I do with them. Then I just start runnin' them through the planner, flipping side for side, end for end each time to cut down on the snipe & planer marks until I get down to 3/32". Then I run the entire piece thru my drum sander, then sand the complete piece with 220 grit sand paper on a palm sander. Then they are ready to tape and stick patterns to. I drill 3 entry holes in each feather, there is one pattern that has to have a couple more than that. Than I cut them apart in pairs, and start cuttn'em out. Each feather takes about an hour to an hour and a half to cut. There is more detail then it looks like. I use anywhere from a #02 polar blade up to a # 1 polar blade. It just depends on how much of the detail I am after, and where on the dream catcher I'm plannin' on hangin' it. I have a dream catcher hangin' in the shop now that is partially done now that I am making for a close friend that recently lost her Ma, and we have a catcher hangin' above our chairs here in our living room that I made in memory of daughter when we lost her 3 years ago. It has ten feathers hangin' on it' representin' her children and grandchildren. My bride says NOBODY gets that one, but I will try and get pictures of those two on here in the next couple of days. We spent all day in Nebraska today in the Sawbones office gettin' things started for my brides' knee replacement. So not much got accomplished here today, even in my crippled up state. But I try to keep truckin'! I sincerely appreciate the gratitude, comments, and the interest you folks took in my handy work. After 25+ plus years of scrollin', I was kinda beginnin' to get perty down on myself on account of nobody likin' my work, or not doin' a good enough job to suit folks, or whatever hit me. You folks have kinda lit a fire under me again that maybe I was needin'. More'n ya know! Thanks again, and keep admirin' my handy work, if ya would.;) Thank you. Brad

This is one I made from oak for my Ma with The End of the Trail in it. It doesn't have all the the feathers on it yet in this picture.

Howdy Mr. Ray, I'll see about gettin' one on here for you to have a look see at this evening. Just for you, my friend.:) You can also google my facebook page sawdust have - st.francis, kansas and it'll take ya right to it. You can see all my work right on that page, Sir. Have a look see at it & let me know your thoughts. Brad

Howdy Foxfold, Sounds as though you've got yourself in a tight. I'm quite surprised that a couple of our other experienced sawyers haven't jumped in to offer advice. When I was first learning, I had the similar frustration. What I did to remedy the situation was took a step back and went to a single blade project. I drilled the entry holes in it where it needed to be cut, such as a Christmas ornament, Halloween ornament, etc. and practiced on a few of those awhile. Then I moved up to some projects that took a little more thought process, and studyin' before I started punchin' holes. Once I had the project on wood, and still do it to this day. I'll sit and study every project I am preparing to cut for layout, entry holes, hole sizes, where I want to drill my entry holes, etc. I use a red fine tipped sharpie and put an "X" if I can drill anywhere in a given area. I use a green fine tipped marker and put an "X" where I need to drill in a certain spot in order to begin cutting on order to keep the project together. I use other colors for different sized drill bits, difficult places to cut, etc. The secret to scroll saw work is to start from the inside and work out in a rotational order. your project will stay together better, and be stronger at the weak points, and look like a much more finished product in the end. There are times when this rule does not always work. In some of my projects, such as Native American projects, or Cowboy projects, whatever, there may be weak spots that all run together like a map sorta. Try and leave that to the very last cuts because if you cut those to early, it's a sure fire recipe for failure. And at the same time, this may be where you'll want to drill a few entry holes at time, cut those parts, look your project over, and drill a few more as mentioned. Personally, myself, I prefer to have all the holes drilled before I start cutting. That way I have a direction to start, and can visualize how the project is going to look as it comes apart a piece at time. Avoid trying to drill to many entry holes in one area. Try to keep your cuts as large as possible. For me, this makes control of the project easier, and chances of miscuts less. Worse case scenario, you can always tape some of the project for strength if you have to, but try to avoid that if possible as well, that will destroy small detail in a hurry, in my experience. Your blade size and speed has a lot to do with the situation, as well. As a rule, the tighter quarters you are cuttin' in, the smaller blade you'll want to use, as well as the thinner the material. Avoid plywood at all cost, if possible. Use baltic birch ply, or a higher grade. Even better, use WOOD and plane it to the desired thickness of cut. In thinner material, the faster your blade is cutting, the more vibration it is creating within the complete project. By slowing your blade down, and using say a #1 or #2 blade, you can get the same results with a larger blade at a faster cut rate. In thicker material, say 1/2", you can start with a #3 blade and set your speed at 2 or thereabouts, depending on your preference, and amount of detail, and work up. As aforementioned, there is not a project you tie into that will not be a learning experience of some sort. If you are not learning, you're either not payin' any mind to what you're doin', or you ain't made the right mistake to get your attention yet. Keep workin' at it, proficiency comes with progress and practice. You'll get better and better the more sawdust you make! Brad.

Ray, I appreciate that, my friend. It takes some time for these back injuries to mend. As bad of shape as my back is in doesn't help the situation, either. Physical Therapy and careful movements, ice, and prescribed meds, as bad as I hate those, are the best that can be done at this point. If a few weeks of PT doesn't work, then we go to the next step. Which means seeing a back & spine sawbones. And that usually ends up meaning surgery of some sort, and I ain't fond of that idea neither. Bt what has to be done, has to be done, I reckon. It is getting tougher and tougher to find a Sawbones that wants to help you instead of just cutting into ya and then saying 'Well, we did the best we could." The surgeons that done my first back surgery in Johnstown, Colorado were the best! One of them was a long time back and spine sawbones, and was a founder of the stem cell research. His partner was a Veterinarian before he went back to school and went into the stem cell research and spinal part of his career. Them to fellers had me up and and walkin' in less than 8 hours after surgery. My second one was done by a feller that supposedly trained under Pettitine, my first surgeon, and after he retired, this other fella bought his practice. I'd a just as well of had our local vet done the back surgery as that greenhorn! Whatever he done in there, I ain't been right since! My Insurance paid it, and I was back to see him for one check up, and told him he ever come at me with the thoughts of a knife on his pea brain, I'd be the last one he ever cut up! That was in 2016. I ain't had much trouble til now. I reckon I 'll get along ok. it just takes some mendin' time. My back is in such bad shape from all the trauma from the meningitis, and the 30+ plus years of bein' beat to death truckin' it's a wonder I've got a back left! I hope to try to get back out to the shop this week yet. At least for a few hours. I have a project on white oak ready to drill entry holes in, and a dream catcher I need to bead thongs for and hang feathers on for a friend of mine that just recently lost her Ma. She asked me to create a catcher for her. I have the feathers already cut, I just need to get them on thongs and hung on the catcher. The other project is for a ranch here in the county. I've got a bulls' head on white oak, then I'm goin' to cut their brand in white oak as well, and inlay the two in a 20" x 20" walnut plaque with the ranches' name cut in frontier lettering across the top. I am givin' serious thought to using some of the leftover white oak, and making a frame of sorts around the outside of the the walnut before I shoot it with clear lacquer and gloss clear coat. I haven't decided yet. It would hide the ends of the walnut if I did it that way. What are your thoughts, folks? Let me know. I am interested to hear what you think about this project. Thank you again for allowin' me to bend your ear a little. I sincerely appreciate it. Brad & Mary Ann.

howdy. The only red lines I've ever had in a project was in a Gleaner Combine project. The combine was in the wheat field cutting wheat. I had a copy of the pattern in black and red ink both, but when you studied the pattern, HOLY MOSES!!!!!! Every single wheat head out in front of the combine had to be cut. There were over 400 cuts on that project, and most of them were just cut a little bit for a wheat kernel in a head of wheat, and move to the next. I chose to use the red ink pattern because the smaller patterns were easier to locate and drill an entry hole in. I used a spiral blade for the wheat heads, and some of the other parts of the combine. Around the operator and the cab of the combine, places like that. I believe the project is on my fb page if you care to have a look see. sawdust haven - st. francis, ks. I cut that project in oak, shot two coats of clear shellac over it, and then two coats of clear coat. The project took a total of 80 hours to cut and finish. If I had my choice, were I cutting a lot of fine detail, I would rather have the red ink, myself. I don't use a magnifier or a light at the saw, but the red ink in the fine detail helps me locate it and keep track of it better, where black lines have a tendency t run together. Now if I was only smart enough to figure out how to talk my printer into printin' some of my finer detailed patterns in red ink.:(:( Brad.

Howdy Mr. Ray, Thank you Sir. Make no Mistake, Sir, I don't aim to ramble on like I do, but here I kinda feel like I am able to just relax and "chatter" if that makes sense. I ain't the best at talkin' about things, but I can put it in words a lot easier. And, most times it gets drug out longer than it needs to be.:( It is embarrassin' at times, Mr. Ray, but my few rocks in the pond need clearin' out sometimes, ya know what I mean? Thank you for your kindness, My friend. Brad.

Howdy Mr. Ray, you have a good point, Mr. Ray. My sincere apologies to the womenfolk. It weren't intentional, I had just been chattin' you, Mr. Ray, and Mr. Chris, and just never thought about it, I reckon. I'll see to it I change that in the future, Mr. Ray. Thank you for bringin' that to my attention, and no offense taken, my friend. Brad.it

Howdy Mr. Kevin, Good to hear from you, my friend. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Sir. Things have been kinda hectic around here since the end of July, to be right honest about it. My bride had her knee scoped, and started physical therapy. Then managed to get herself dehydrated and passed out on me three times in one day. The third time she passed out, she went down on her right knee, the one that had been scoped 5 weeks earlier. When she hit the floor, it made a loud "pop" and she was unresponsive. So, I called an ambulance and they took her to the hospital. Her knee was ok, just bruised, but she was severely dehydrated. Our Sawbones pumped 2 liters of fluids in her, and said her sodium level was extremely low. We moved physical therapy from here at home to the hospital, and the longer that went on, the worse her pain become, so we wound up seeing her surgeon. They done some imaging of her knee, and it is sitting bone on bone. Now we are preparing for a complete knee replacement. Two weeks ago, I tore my back up perty good. I tied into a couple of boxes that were bigger than I anticipated they were, and I had to tote them up steps into the house to boot. By the time that was over, I was in bad shape. So I have been going to PT myself. And being involved with these online classes I am taking, I don't have much spare time to hardly think, much less get to the shop. I miss getting back on here to see what everyone is up to and the projects going on. How have you been, my friend? Bought any "new" scroll saws lately? Keep in touch. Brad.

Howdy Gentlemen, I sincerely appreciate all your thoughts, prayers and concerns. It truly does mean an awful lot to us! That is the one MAIN reason I stay here is the family type setting, and the welcome feelin' a feller always gets when he's here, no matter what his situation is. You folks are the best bunch of fellers a man could ask for! I mean that from the heart, boys. Not just spittin' out words to see where they'll splatter! I've always been the type of feller to help folks where I can to the best of my ability, even when I was trucking. My Father raised me to stop and lend a hand if at all possible, no matter the situation. You never know what you might be steppin' into, but in them days, folks weren't a feared of folks like they are now a days. I cannot begin to tell you the number of tragic accidents I have helped with, womenfolk I have changed a flat tire for, or gave them a jump because they didn't have a set of booster cables. Gave them and their kinfolk a ride to the next town to a motel til the next morning so they could call a mechanic to work on their vehicle. I have stopped for pregnant womenfolk and their husbands right here close to home and brought them to our home so they could call their kinfolk to come pick them up from where ever. I have been blessed with a wonderful bride, 3 great step children, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, with another grandson on the way. How my bride has put up with my career of 30 years of trucking is beyond me, but she has, and trust me when I tell you, I have put her through hell with it. Snow storms, icy roads, Rain & hail, tornadoes, 2 hurricanes, and years of blizzards and ice. She is 18 years to my senior, but she is my rock, gentlemen. The last 15 years I was on the road I was out anywhere from three weeks to two and a half months. It pulls hard on a marriage. Somehow we made it. The woodworking was all her and our Sawbones' idea. They seemed to think I needed a stress reliever for the 36 hours I was home. My Sawbones told me when him and Mary Ann made this executive decision, that if I didn't stop thinkin', eatin' breathin', & drinkin' trucks, there was goin' to be a mighty small funeral right here in St. Francis. Mine! He said I'd best take heed to what they were tryin' to do for me! So, I tried to slow down a little, and not knowing a damn thing about wood or woodworking, my bride marched me right down to our meager little library, and I began huntin' books on wood species, woodworking, tools for woodworking, and took them books along with me on the truck to read on my sit time. Some of them I read more'n once. When I got back in, I returned those books, and found a few more. Some on scroll saw projects, blades, routers, etc. About a month later, my loving bride had it set up for us to go and have a look see at some used tools. This feller had passed on, and his bride had some of his construction tools up for sale. Weren't nothin' fancy, but I didn't want anything to shiny because I was just a greenhorn then. He had a Craftsman RAS, a miter saw, Craftsman router with a few burnt up bits, a square, a palm sander, a Craftsman circular saw, a single speed Craftsman scroll saw, and a few other odds and ends hand tools. We wound up with the whole lot for $200. A decent buy we thought. Everything worked. I still use the sander and miter saw. The RAS finally bought the farm. And we have since replaced it, and added numerous other tools to our arsenal. Probably more than I will use the rest of my life. The point of all this is, it ain't about what's in your shop or how shiny your tools are, it's about the friendship and the camaraderie we have amongst us to support one another when we need pickin' up and holdin' up. The listenin' ear that is always there when one of us need it, a shoulder to lean on when the time comes. We don't know one another personal like, but we are all here because we are interested and involved in scrolling. This gives us a common bond to start with, and from there, friendships begin to build like wild fire! And it is an awesome thing to see! I enjoy everyone here, and have personal contact with a few of you. Please, don't hesitate to email me or pm at anytime. Your thoughts and support are always welcome and very much needed right now. Thank you for allowing me to ramble. I apologize for the length of this. I hadn't planned on this bein' so drug out, but it is. Thank you all very much again for your support and thoughts! We sincerely appreciate you all! Brad & Mary Ann.

Howdy Mr. Ray. You are exactly right, my friend! Exactly what you described is what I am wantin' to create. Tomorrow I will see if I can come with a sketch and then see if I can figure out how to get on here so you folks can see what a country boys' art work looks like.;) My bride gives me fits on a regular basis on account of I don't draw out a sketch of my projects and measurements. She says to me "just how do you remember all those measurements, angles, and things, and you can't even remember my grocery list!" Sometimes I have to get creative when I answer her, Mr. Ray, trust me. I have a dream catcher in the makin's at the moment. A School Mate of mine recently lost her Ma, and asked me to make a dream catcher in memory of her Ma. I have all the feathers cut, and one walnut feather and beaded thong hangin' on it now. I still have to bead the other 4 or 5 thongs for the feathers and attach the feathers to them, hang them on the catcher, then wrap the complete outside with a 1/4" black leather strip. The catcher is cut from maple, and feathers are 3/32'' thick, cut from beetle kill pine, cedar, walnut, oak, and cherry. The other project in the works is for a ranch here for their 100th anniversary. I am cutting a Hereford bullhead in white oak, along with their brand in white oak, and then those will be inlaid in walnut and shot with my air sprayer with two coats of clear lacquer, and two coats of clear coat to seal the wood. But I am under heavy limitations at the moment, so I have to do what I can at one time, and leave the rest till the next round. I appreciate your reply, Mr. Ray. Brad.

I understand what you're saying, Mr. Chris. No offense, Sir, but imo, when you make the decision to scroll is your choice, If that's what makes your flowers grow, just get right after it, my friend! I ain't here to judge other folks' work, or choice of style. That's on you. Own it, and be proud of your choices, sir. I can tell you from personal experience that it took me a long time to decide what I enjoyed cuttin'. I was raised in the truckin' business, and drove as an Owner/Operator for several years, and then retired out as an OTR driver for one of the best men I ever drove for. Trucking is my first love, then my bride.;) I started out 25+ years ago with an old Crapsman single speed scrollsaw doin' nothin' but creatin' customized firewood. It took me awhile to get things figured out. I spent a lot of time reading while I was on the road, and in the 36 hours I had at home, bein's this brilliant idea was my brides', I was able to spend a few hours burnin' up blades. In all the reading I done about scroll saw work, and projects, the capabilities of the scroll saw, etc., the "traditional" scroll sawing was mentioned several times. It took me A LOT more reading to figure out what they were meaning by that. The best conclusion I could come up with for it was what everybody else is doin'! I ain't much of a follower, Sir! I have my own interests just the same as the next feller does. So, not bein' of the artistic type, I began looking for things that tickled my fancy when I was on the road. Signs, pictures, sayings, faces, etc. I am a history NUT!!!! I began getting deeper into western history more. I started making dream catchers, cowboy creations, agriculture creations. Cuttin' my own feathers for my dream catchers. Name plates, livestock, etc. Go with what interests you and fascinates you! The more you get into some of those projects, the more you will learn about yourself, and about scrolling itself. It won't be long and you'll be scrollin' with top notch results!;) Brad.

Howdy gentlemen, I sincerely appreciate your understanding and concern. That means a lot to me. Mr. Ray, you hit the nail on the head, my friend! More times than not, a feller needs someone just to chat with to keep his mind set and disposition in order. Other times, after you have had so much time sittin' around the house, and goin' to Sawbones appointments and all ya hear is you can't do this anymore, or don't this any longer because your health is no longer able to stand it, and then come back home and it's the same ol' garbage on tv, and ya feel like the walls are closin' in on you.:(:( The worse ya want to get out to the shop, the more obstacles there are to climb over to get to the shop door! And at the end of the day, you're still stuck in the house.:( So, yes, it does help to come here and be able to get involved in some of the posts, and see what everyone is up to, when I can. I haven't spent near the time here I used to. Back and leg pain will not allow me to sit for very long periods of time. I have been trying to put together a new project I can use in my bed and my recliner. A computer desk of sorts. I am considering using 3/4'' baltic birch plywood & putting risers under it so it sits at a slight angle. I also want to cut a a partial circle out of the back side of it so it can be pulled up to me and fit around me better to suit my needs, either in my chair, or in the confines of my bed. I am considering putting shelf liner on the bottom of the risers to create a smooth surface to sit on the chair arms or bed without leaving wood splinters. I also may take my router and go about an 1/8" deep into the plywood as a place for my computer to sit into. I have some other ideas, as well. But taking these online classes, I spend a lot of time on line and and on the computer, but I am not always able to sit here in my office chair for 3 or 4 hours at a time to get my book learnin' done of an evening. Any better Ideas would be greatly appreciated, if you come with anything. This is what goes thru my mind when my hands, eyes, and my few rocks in the pond are settin' idle.;) The measurements I have come up with to this point, and please don't ask me to draw this out because that is way beyond my technological capabilities.:( The width across my arm chair is 34". From the back of the chair out to my knees measures 15 1/2" on both sides. And from the bottom of my elbows to the top of the arm of the chair measures 9". That height would bring the desk top up to a reasonable working level sitting in my chair. Like I said, I have a couple other projects in the works going on the shop at the present time, so this one is just in the plannin' stages. Any suggestions or better ideas are welcome. Thank you for your time, gentlemen. Brad.

For what reason Ma'am, might I ask, can you not get your blade "100% straight?" There are several adjustments you can tweek to get it to a perfect 90* with your saw deck. What breed of saw are you using? You can adjust the allen screws in the blade holders a tiny bit each direction, if you need to. You can loosen the bolts of the top arm and tweek it a little bit. Same with the bottom. Your table is where I would start. Place a small level on your saw deck and see if reads level, regardless of what the number markings show on the scale. Level your table to that level. Then take a small business card and put it against your saw blade, with tension on the blade. Make sure you put the same edge against the blade on all four sides of the blade. If you're off square of that card then, you can tweek your allen screws in the blade holders to adjust for the difference which ever way it needs to go, right or left. A square blade will cut longer, and run cooler. And not put near the drag on your machine. Try that and see if it works for you. As mentioned, a few pictures would help us help you you tremendously. Best of luck, Ma'am. Brad.

Howdy, I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and concerns 3D! That means an awful lot to me, my friend! That is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy this site so much. Everyone here cares about one another like family. This is the first site I have ever had much involvement with that folks treat one another with respect, dignity, and the courtesy we all deserve. Not nitpick at one another, and rundown the way a person posts something, or their spellin', or wording, or what they have to say. I have been involved with numerous other sites that I no longer associate with just for those reasons. Life is to short for extra drama. I am not there to be judged for my posts or my grammar. I admit, some of mine ain't the shiniest, but I try to get it proper to keep from bein' judged. My scroll experience speaks for itself. I feel like I don't have to explain anything to anybody. I learn something new with every project, and if I get myself in a tight, right here is the first place I come huntin' for answers because I know there is far more knowledge here than I have in the 25+ years of scrolling I have. I don't know everything, and don't claim to. But if I read someone's post and can offer advice or help, I will do my best to do so. I ain't the type to horn in if I can't do any good. I have a great deal of respect for every scroller here, and enjoy the company of you all. It makes me feel at home here when I read the comments you leave on my posts. I feel like I have done something that helped someone that way!:) Bein' laid up is absolutely no fun! And I have had my hat full of it the last year or so. Scroll Saw Village has allowed me to post, chime in, and be involved with everyone while I'm not active in the shop. It helps to keep my mind and hands busy in several ways. I am a technical type fella. I need to be doin' something with my hands and my mind, or my mind just sits and spins, if that makes any sense. I certainly appreciate your thoughts, 3D. Keep them coming Sir. You are welcome to call anytime. My cell number is (785)772-7321. If I don't catch your phone call, leave a message, and I will call you back. I don't always hear my phone. Look after yourself, my friend. Thank you again for your response. I sincerely appreciate your support! Brad

You're right about that, my friend. It is very painful, and affects everything you do. I have had back issues for years. I rode bulls in High School for four years. Then sit in a pilot seat of a truck the rest of my life in the trucking business. In 2009, I came in off the road with viral meningitis. I spent 8 1/2 months in our little village hospital here in St. Francis, KS. Nearly died before all that was over, Lost complete use of both legs, and partial use of my left arm and hand. I underwent over a years' worth of intense physical therapy to learn to walk again, and regain the strength in my left arm and hand. About a year after that, I began to go down hill again, and started havin' severe pain in my lower back, numbness down my legs, in my feet, my hands and fingertips. We finally found a Sawbones in Johnstown, Colorado that'd take me on. We went up there for the first visit. He sent us to Loveland to a big hospital where they took several MRI pictures, CT scans, blood work, etc. By the time we got back to his office that afternoon, he already had them pictures. We had a look see at them. He looked me square in the eye and told me flat out "with that mess goin' on in yer back, I don't know how the hell you're even walkin'!!!" I had four bone spurs in my back startin' at S1, another one at L4, another one about mid back, and another'n between my shoulder blades. He told us them come from the attempted spinal taps the resident OB done on me the evening Mary Ann took me to the ER when I came in off the truck. He said she hit me 4 times, and missed all four times. Now I've got bone spurs in my spine because of that. The worst one was at S1. It had grown into the spinal column, and was putting pressure against the spinal cord, creating enough pressure there that it would not allow me to stand up straight. It was causing the burning and tingling in my legs, feet, and hands. So, surgery was our only option. two weeks later, we were in Loveland, going into back surgery. Now to some, back surgery may not sound like it's a very serious situation, but to others of us, it becomes a question of trust. It'd only take one wrong move in there, and I'd never walk again. On the other hand, I was at that point now. The bone spur was putting enough pressure on the spinal cord and the few nerves left in the spinal column, it was about to cut the spinal cord in two. So the choice was an easy one to make. After an 8 hour surgery, the back surgeon told my bride they had a serious mess to clean up when they got in there. He said all the nerves in my lower back were laying at the bottom of my spine in a tangled mess. He told Mary Ann it looked like a roll of old barb wire. They not only had to do a fusion in my lower back, but they had to sort out all those nerves and get them back where they were supposed to be. He told Mary Ann the cause for that was the meningitis and sittin' in a pilot seat of a truck all my life. In a couple of days, I was up moving around, pain free! That was the best part! I just wanted to walk!!! Without all that pain! Well, as the story goes, nothin' good ever lasts. My last back surgery was in December of 2016, and from the sounds of what my Sawbones is saying, there is a good possibility I am lookin' at surgery #3 in the near future. So, that is my sob story for the day. My apologies for the length. I am trying to deal with therapy and muscle relaxers, and get back into the shop some. I have ongoing projects that are in dire need of my attention. Sittin' at my Hawk is the trick. About 30 - 45 minutes at a time is all I can handle for now, and I have to get up and move. Gentlemen, my apologies for goin' on like this. It wasn't planned, but it is what it is. I appreciate all your thoughts. Keep makin' sawdust! It's that time of year! Look after yourselves, and by all means, keep in touch! thank you for your time. Brad.

Howdy Mr. Ray! Good to hear from you, my friend! I am goin' to physical therapy twice a week again, and they are workin' on my back again.:( I tore it up perty serious like two weeks ago, and I ain't navigatin' to good, Sir. Our Sawbones prescribed a muscle relaxer this week, and that has started to help some. I can at least stand up now. I have had two major surgeries on my lower back as it is, I am perty concerned we may be headed for a third. I tore it up right good, Mr. Ray. It has been a rough couple of weeks. Thank you kindly for your thoughts, My friend. I sincerely appreciate it. I'll send you a pm with more details. Look after yourself, Sir. Brad.

Howdy! That's a cool Idea! Except I don't remember my BM 226 havin' a hole in the platform under the bottom blade holder:( been awhile since I been to the shop due to health reasons. I'll have to have look see at it! I like that idea!!!!:):) Thanks for the pictures, Sir!

Howdy Rocky! How's Things on your side of the rock, my friend? I agree with what has already been discussed in your thread, Sir. I don't see the issue with it. You donated for the pattern, so in turn, you are able to cut it and show it where ever you take a notion to show off your superior scroll skills, my friend.:-) I reckon if some wise acre has somethin' to say about it, he'll have more than just you to answer to, Mr. Les.;) Copyrights are one thing, but again, once you have donated for the pattern, it's yours to cut, and you are able to show it where ever, or on whatever site you choose to.:-) Just my couple a pennies worth, Sir. Look after yourself, Mr. Les! Brad

Yes, Kevin is exactly right. I believe I mentioned that. You can plainly seen the design change in the pictures. By the looks of it Mr. Les, the second picture is the newer design, but JT would be more apt to know.

Mr. J, the difference in design of the top arm of the saws. Look closely at your pictures. And there is no need to adjust the tension of the spring. It's designed at that length. Your tension adjustment is at the back of the saw. If that wedge begins to get rounded, or is "digging" into the inset in the top arm, your saw will begin lose blade tension. All that spring does is keep the top arm "afloat" so to speak, unless you use the arm lock at the nose of the top arm.

Mr. Les, I am sure glad ya didn't hit the floor, my friend. Things are to tight budgeted around here at the moment fer me to come to the hospital & discuss Hawk scroll saws with ya, & you maybe needin' to consider investin' in a stool with arm rests & and some padding fer yer sit down.;):)

Hello Ray, As a matter of fact, I do, of sort. I have a facebook page with most of my projects on it. I get more orders from my fb page than I ever did with a web page. My fb page is sawdust haven - St. Francis, KS. I don't have prices on the projects because of the variance in wood price & detail for the customer, & it allows the customer to make changes to the project if they so desire before I start to cut. Have a look see & let me know what ya think, Mr. Ray. Please don't go into my page with high expectations, Mr. Ray. I'm just a beginner still learnin' the ropes, & all my projects are cut on my Hawk BM 226 or my Hitachi CW - 40. Enjoy your day, friend.

Everything that's been mentioned is all excellent advice, and several points to take into consideration. I've been doing this several years myself. Two major things I've learned from my customers is once they set their mind to investing in your work, price is always negotiable. Second, pay CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE ECONOMY YOU LIVE IN. Don't price yourself out of a job! I live in a small agriculture community in NW Kansas. Farmers, cattlemen, truck drivers, a few Bible thumpers here, and a A LOT of "I'm better'n you because...." My point is, folks got this ferocious idea that farmers & ranchers are rich! They are just like you & I. Just some have perfected the art of bullsh**in', and should have been fishermen! Adjust your prices to fit the economy around you. The more detailed it is, or the more pricey the lumber is, adjust your price & be willing to negotiate, but set a price you WILL not go under & stick to your guns. The first project money you lose money on, you'll keep losin' money from there on. Myself, I avoid family projects at all cost unless I see the money first. I don't make it a habit of workin' for free for anybody. I charge $18/hour at the saw, & $25/hour shop time, no matter what it is. Shop materials are figured in by receipts to the project, & lumber is charged out by the bdft x 25%. The price of hardwood in this part of the world makes the Devil his self scream! All these figures may sound pricey, but my usual prices range from $25 - $300. It just depends on what all the project entails. And I do not keep much inventory anymore. It's a waste of time, money, & space. I work by the project, except at Christmas time.