rjR

Thanks to BOTH of you--good advice!

Well, I am intending to wear out my DeWalt! But, I am not 21 anymore> So the DW will probably outlive me anyway. Hope you enjoy your saw!

Any fishing "person" will love it!

We have come to expect near perfection from you! You always deliver too!

HI First -WELCOME! I started with a coping saw(hand powered at about 7-8 years old or so! I have been at it 60+ years and hope to eventually get good at it! I still have my first scrollsaw(Craftsman-11" --NO MOTOR" Yes , really -- It still runs too, although it gets used very little-- only good on light wood as it runs an electromagnet against a spring steel plate and a spring steel upper arm.) I claim-- the oldest working scrollsaw here--It is a 1952 model; I bought in 1953 when electricity came to rural NW north Dakota! I am happy for you and will share patterns-- advice (some of it actually good-well maybe a little)--- www.aeontoys.weebly.com-- will give you an idea of what I can share. These people are a wealth of information, ideas, consolation, entertainment, inspiration, encouragement and the best for last! Just plain old B.S. Good group --welcome to our asylum! Do practice cuts just for you! Errors into the waste areas are an easy fix! Everybody misses the line sometimes-- get used to your saw and adjust tension, speed even some saws need to have the table adjusted to keep it at a 90- degree to the blade. A trick to see if the table is square to the blades-- is using a fine blade make some tight turns-- remove from the saw. Of the pieces will separate either up or down you are pretty close. If the have to go one direction or the other your tables is off. Ask any question--even "dumb" ones-- we have made every DUMB--AKA--STUPID mistake possible among us. So ASK! We also want to see your work. Now advice-- Please read--then use what fits YOU! If you like your work it does not matter if someone else does or does NOT! Make your work station(NEST) fit you, Lights, chair, -music,-- fan,--- tool mess== close, --etc. FIT YOU -- not what someone else wants!--- Use a lube on the blade-- Clear packing tape over your patterns is a lube--I use old candle stubs. (Bee's wax--if I can get them) on the blade and saw table--I also when I am not to damned lazy-- paste wax the saw table. The brand(cost) of the saw is unimportant-- the care and diligence of the artist is what counts in the end! Blade tension is important-- experiment and see what works best on what wood. DO NOT BUY Blades at the usual places-- buy from a scrollsawer supply! http://www.pozsgaidesigns.com/contact.htmis where I buy my blades. Reasons I actually found his site on line and then went to see him because of the location and discovered I know him. Great guy, good service, and also does charity things for M.S. He does scroll sawing all the time and developed some of the things he sells. He used to work for Olsen blades and does prefer them and can tell you why! He can and will also give excellent advice! He told me about the clear tape trick; try it --it helps. Do the things that you want to do! Have fun!!-- Try your own designs and ideas. If you haunt Craig'slist you can manage to get some free wood-- good place for the experiments. Home Depot also has a bargain bin somewhere in their stores! sometimes good and sometimes not! You can also shop 'CURBSIDE Salvage" for wood. Many people will put things like that out just before garbage pickup day! Lots of businesses give away old pallets-- furniture stores get some plywood as packing on couches etc. Asking about it is free! too. Some are great wood! I have even man aged to get some walnut that way (from pallets and truck dunnage)! Rare, but have had it happen. Very glad to see teenagers away from video games and become artists instead! Enjoy yourself and be pleased with the person in the mirror doing something USEFUL!

I would try a couple of different finishes on some scraps and see what you like best! Too nice to accidentally ruin with the wrong finish! I do think it looks good. I use spray polyurethane on a lot of things, but, others have different ideas and different ways--- DO what seems right for you after a few tests--- on scraps! We do want to see the "final" also!

I remember seeing some adaptors; but, not positive where I saw them. Try Rockler's website or the Boxy Twins (Lowes -Home Depot) Or Sears, Ace-- If all else fails a heating/ac contractor can make you some out of sheet metal. You maybe have plumber in the neighborhood with plastic pipe scraps and can make some that way too.

Sorry to hear about the MIS adventure! DO not let it bum ya out! Been REALLY close t that! In 60+ years of working wood with hand and power tolls only to emergency room once! It was my own fault --had had eye surgery should not have been in the shop! SICK OF THE HOUSE--so was. Cut end of my left thumb on the Tablesaw. Needed stitches etc. 9-10 years or so ago now-- gets numb some times only slightly though. About 5 years before that I lost 1/2 fingernail to the outer and did NOT Touch the finger! I am now more careful and let all tools totally stop! As for getting rid of the saw!!! If your wife had a car accident; would she let you get rid of HER vehicle!!!!! I think getting rid of the saw is over-reaction! We learn new safety measures even in our "older"--NOT old age!

Used to use one!

Lots of vacuum cleaners running and KEPT CLEAN often! Get ones with cleanable filtration systems! A furnace filter(AC) on a box fan (can be taped on or screwed into the corners) and changed often will help too. Some scroll saws have a dust port--sort of works! The vacuums get full a lot faster than you expect them too. So clean often. I some areas of the country indoors is a must 8 or more months a year. Also use a cheap tarp on carpet--it will save a lot of headache & cleaning time. We all like to see the results too!

They seem to have summed it all up! I have had t do those on my DW 788--- I use a diamond file on the holding bushings (little pieces that fit into the setting screws.) to get them nice and flat.

Good work! Snow owl, I think?

I am glad you took the picture of the remains of a great project!

They have said it very well! Actually ---AMAZING! Way past any of my work! I have neither the skills or patience to do that nice of job!

An extremely well done piece. The pattern and work are excellent!

GREAT WORK and design!

Nice--will both be enjoyed! Wrap it almost bomb proof to mail it!

Very nicely done sign! Good luck! In my neighborhood-- the hoa-- will not permit that kind of sign at all. they even growled at some people that had a company logo on a work vehicle that it had to be garaged overnight! B.S. -- but hoa's are hoa's. I did try etsy with very poor results but some people do well on it! I have a Craig'slist ad almost always and do only fair; but that is free!

Good save and the usual "amazing" work! You know if it were not for the "goofs' we would not learn as much!

I always like wolf-cuts-- nice work.

Cedar can be expensive! Nice work on both. "It call for cedar .Boy they don't give that away" Actually some do! I get a lot of cedar shorts and even sometimes nice length boards from the dumpster at a fencing company! Sometimes has a nail-- most new just rejects or cut-offs etc. Check with your local fencing companies; you may get some nice wood at extremely attractive prices. Some will even sell the fence boards (NEW) at better prices than the "limber-stores". If you make that score; you owe me one beer!

Nicely done on all aspects of the project!

I know your saw motor never stops! Do you turn it off to change blades; or do you just slow down? A full stack of a day! Good Going.

Very nice cutting on the unusual projects!