Old Joe

I have done a lot of stained glass over the years, but not much recently. I am new to the scroll saw, but I am planning to incorporate both glass and scrolling into one mixed art. This was a combination of getting my feet wet again with cutting glass and trying an experiment with combining the glass cartoon to wood. After I cut the glass and soldered it together I laid it on a 1/4" piece of oak plywood. Then I traced the outline of the cartoon on the wood, scrolled the shape out. Next I applied copper foil to the inside cut of the "frame" and soldered the cartoon to the wood. Then I applied copper foil to the outside of the frame and tinned it with solder, added the chain. It is a little crude, but like I said, a first attempt. Ultimately I plan on mixing glass into vases and boxes, and I have another idea to work it into an intarsia project. Can somebody please edit this and turn the picture 90 degrees?

I keep a very small, cheap, shop vac next to my saw and use it constantly. I have also installed a ceiling mounted dust collector. Just blowing off the dust with the compressor is spreading it around the shop and it will end up in your finely sanded, oiled finish, not to mention your nose and lungs.

My new DW788 was delivered right before sundown. So much for the early delivery promised by UPS, but it is what it is.Too late to deal with the stand tonight,but I assembled the saw itself, attached the light. waxed the table, and cut a lousy looking leaf. But it's a start. First observation: the saw cuts nicely, even with the crap blades sent by Dewalt, and you all are right about the light. Let's just say that it beats a Bic lighter, but not by much. Dewalt does not get a pass from me on it. It sucks. Tomorrow assemble the stand and rearrange my small shop to find a place for this bad boy. I am awaiting a couple of assortments of blades, so we'll see how long it takes me to break the 2 that came with the saw.

Thanks for the "wax" tip. I will definitely follow that tip. As to FD vs. Olson, I ordered a beginner's assortment of 7 dozen of 7 different FD blades just to get the feel. I have found Olson blades to be great on my band saw, so I am sure that I will incorporate both brands into my stock. And, Amazing Kevin, I will also take your advice regarding raising the back of the stand when I do the initial setup. Thanks again to all of you for the training wheels.

As to the light, if it's as bad as you, and others, say, I will make needed improvements/replacement.My bigger concern is the stand. Many reviewers say that it's fine, but others say that it's so top heavy that it renders it to near useless unless bolted down. I wasn't planning on bolting it down, as I am hoping have some mobility with it. It has been shipped, scheduled to arrive Friday. I will let you all know my first impressions after I assemble and do the initial setup.

Thanks for all of the welcoming posts. The main reason that I ordered the saw with the stand and light was that Grizzly had a hard to beat price of $459 for the whole setup. I tried out a DW788 and also a Excalibur model at a scroll saw introductory class a year ago. I liked both of them, but the Excalibur was priced out of my range right now. I figure I'll get a foot switch, the modifying accessory to hold up the arm for blade changes, and a pretty good assortment of FD blades, per advice from many. I already own a drill press, Dremel drills, a couple of routers, etc. Most woodwork that I have done has been pretty barbaric in comparison to what I see here, though I have done a fair amount of general carpentry. I also spent 36 years grinding spectacle lenses before I just wanted a change, so I started doing handyman work. I like working with small, detailed things, but as warned, I'm sure that I will make a lot of kindling for the wood stove along the way. So, now I await anxiously to see a post from Grizzly telling me that the saw has been shipped. I went to see a independent cabinet maker friend of mine yesterday and he sent me home with a variety of scraps to practice with. Getting excited!

Good morning! Old man, new to scrolling. Have worked extensively with stained glass in the past. Patience is my best trait once I tune in to something. Retired, bored, and ready to walk down a new road. I have done a ton of general handyman work over the years and believe in quality tools. Took a huge plunge yesterday and ordered a new DW788 with stand and light. Looking for advice on basic necessities to get started right. I can't go too much further overboard money wise, so my plan is to get a foot control switch and an assortment of blades. Then I'll play around with a few basic projects to get my sea legs.This seems like a terrific site. Looking forward to getting to know some of you.