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Hi Don: Welcome to the Village! This is the perfect place for those new to scrolling. You will find a lot of encouragement, first rate problem solving, many projects to entice you into finding your niche. So show your stuff and ask away. Again, Welcome!! Bruce

......and isn't frustrating when you need that perfect piece that you threw out in a moment of "I've gotta clean this mess up!"

Beautiful subject, beautifully executed!

I am working with 1/4" Cherry on my new pattern. I think faster blade speed with slower feed makes sense. I am using an Excalibur with the upgraded Pegus blade holders.

I recently started using the FD Ultra reverse 2/0 blades. As one committed to not swearing - this was a real test! When it comes to tight corners the blade just twists - none of the traditional "snap" I am used to from other larger blades. Any words from the wise? Bruce

I love it. The 3 dimensional aspect makes it exceptional!!! Well done!

Nice work!

I love the live-edge stock. It really adds a lot to the beautiful cutting. Well done! 1

Nicely done. I especially like the horse head. Beautiful!!

Great idea! I hadn't thought about that but it would be perfect size and sentiment for Christmas! Thanks, Dan.

Okay, I admit it. I am a string saver - or in this case a scrap saver. I have a box full of little scraps of walnut, cherry, curly maple, etc. They are just too nice to toss out and besides I just might need them some day. There. I confessed. I have taken a break from scrolling as I am building a jewelry chest for my granddaughter with plus a month of wintering in Florida. So it has been months since I scrolled and I am out of practice. So I thought about creating a pattern that would work with some of those scraps and resharpen my scrolling skills. Here's the result - cut in, as yet, unfinished cherry. This was before I added the oval seen in the attached pattern and added a bit of safety allowance for the dropouts in the word "Peace". This particular stock was 3.5"x 4.25" was and required me to use a Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse 2/0 blade. That took some real getting used to. Man, those blades are thin! I will be finishing this in my new "home brew" Danish oil/ then Shellac sealer and finally, lacquer. (By the way this formula for Danish oil dries much faster than Watco. Odor free in a day-and-a- half and safe to finish coat in 3 days.) If you missed my post on that here's the website where I found the formula. https://vanduynwoodwork.com/2018/09/18/danish-oil-finish-top-3-reasons-to-mix-your-own/ MASTER single belzeir dove final.pdf

Welcome to the Village, Tom. Like you, I joined as a beginner - knowing nothing about which saw to buy much less about how to use it well. You will find that all of us here remember those early days and are happy to offer tips, advice and encouragement. Ask away and enjoy!! Bruce

Welcome to the Village from Minneapolis, Craig. Looks like you are all set to go. A mistake pile is actually a learning pile. You are in good company here! Bruce

I have been rethinking Watco brand Danish oil. Danish oil enhances grain so beautifully but it cures so slowly. I like to use a lacquer finish and current advice is wait 3-14 (or longer!) days after applying Watco Danish Oil before applying lacquer. I have a heat gun in my shop that I use to check the cure. Applying heat to causes the oil to sweat and actually causes beads of liquid oil to form on the surface. I have observed this for up to 7 days. Using heat and wiping off the liquid speeds up drying. I stumbled across an article that proposed home made Danish oil that achieves the look while drying faster. https://vanduynwoodwork.com/2018/09/18/danish-oil-finish-top-3-reasons-to-mix-your-own/ I tried this and it achieved the grain enhancement while drying in 3 days. After drying, I apply a coat or two of sealcoat shellac (unwaxed shellac). This seal coat greatly reduces spotty absorption of the lacquer (a real problem with cherry) while providing a solid base for lacquer adherence. Some cherry has porous spots that will absorb lacquer like a sponge leaving an uneven finish and requiring a ridiculous number of coats of lacquer before you build up the surface. Then you sand away most of it to get a flat coat. I have 2 pieces in the basement that have defeated me thus the hunt for a better way. Woodworkers put in waaaay too much effort to have a piece ruined during finishing.

"To err is human, but to really foul things up you need a computer." Paul R. Ehrlich

Welcome to the Village, Colin. Bruce

Welcome from Minnesota. When I first started scrolling I purchased an used RBI Hawk 26. It worked well but the vibrations and were annoying to me. I then found a Excalibur 21 that was new in the box. I love everything about that machine. I upgraded to the Pegus blade holder and just yesterday replaced my 3 diopter (1.75x magnification) with a new magnifying lamp with a 5 diopter lens (2.25x magnification) purchased from Boli Optics (bolioptics.com) This lamp came with 3 lenses (3,5 & 8 diopters) which should outlast me. The other feature I like with the Excalibur is the top feeding blade (attach blade to upper blade holder and lower the arm while feeding the blade through the pilot hole in your work piece). This is strictly a personal preference as there are many on this forum who work with bottom feeding machines without difficulty or complaint. Good luck with your adventure into the addicting world of scrolling! Bruce

Welcome to the village! Making scrap and sawdust with occasional keepers is very satisfying. Bruce

Welcome to the Village Jack. I came into the Village as a newbie (to scroll sawing) and saved tons of supplies and frustrations by tapping into the resources offered here. All the best! Bruce

Welcome, Peter. I have found this forum to be a fantastic resource no matter what you skill/experience level. Glad to have you here!

Welcome to the Village, John. Great keepsakes for the grandkids!

A welcome to you from Minnesota. I feel your pain on finishing issues. My love/hate affair is with Cherry. I have a project that has 5 area that are absorbing lacquer and refuse to be filled. Sigh!!!!!!!

What! You have a scrap drawer! My I have scrap boxes, scrap shelves, scrap drawers, scrap tables tops and scrap floor corners. Drives my wife crazy. "I may need that piece for an inlay, dear!"

Nice!! Did you edge glue to get that 12' wide panel?

Nice work. What is the dark wood? Bruce