Hey Bob!
Welcome to the wonderful world of wood chips ... one newbie to another.

I have a suggestion for you. I was looking for a scroll saw too but was not
interested in either of the brands you are considering here.
I'm retired too so I tend to pinch a penny when I can.

I bought a Delta, single speed at a local pawn shop for $45.
Now, I WILL say that after I have used it awhile I truly wish I had gotten a
variable speed BUT for now it works just great.
Delta/Porter Cable are affordable and as far as I know reliable.

Another place to look is on EBay. You can find good used ones and save
yourself some major bucks.

One of the reasons I went with the Delta is because it uses blades that do
not have the pin in the ends to hold it in place.
This way I can use even super fine Jewelers saw blades in it if I want to. I
have used some of the twisted blades to play with and they are pretty neat
when you are really wiggling around though the guys in here that are truly
experienced don't seem to need that sort of thing.

My research (and experience) has been that if you look around, you can get a
great deal on a good used machine. That way you can use the extra money to
buy some better wood.

One source for smaller pieces of wood might be a cabinet shop. I spoke to
one locally and he told me that if I brought down a big trash can and gave
him an idea of what sizes I wanted he'd toss them in and I could have them
for free... free is ALWAYS good!

I just went to EBay and searched "scroll saw" There are a bunch of them for
under $100, you really ought to have a look.

Good luck to you


Kate
______
/l ,[____],
l-L -OlllllllO-
()_)-()_)--)_)

The shortest distance between two points,
is a lot more fun in a Jeep!
Wash behind your ears before you reply :¬)

"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hello, I have been looking at this and a couple other NG's on
woodworking, and am interested getting a scroll saw to try my hand
at some of the projects I see you guys working on.

I am less than a newbie, more of a newbie want-a-be. I was in a
store a while back and saw some work for sale. They were stars,
state shapes (Texas), and other nice pieces. I asked about them and
the store owner's father-in-law makes them as a hobby. From that, I
got to thinking that this might be something I would like to do in
my retired years (am 73 years old so don't need any real long term
projects (smile)).

I think I would enjoy turning as well, but equipment for lathes and
tools is just too much for my budget, but I can probably swing the
expense of scrolling work. I have been to several internet sites I
have seen mentioned on here, and have found in Goggle. But I still
have a few questions that I'd appreciate some comments on.

Buying a scroll saw: At a big box store, they have two. One is a
Dremmel, 18 inch throat, variable speed of 650 - 4500, price $199.
The other is a Ryobi, 16 inch throat, variable speed of 500 - 4000,
price $99. They both seem to have the same features. Is either one
of these, preferably the cheapest, okay? If not, what features
should I be looking for in a saw, for example, foot switch?

What kinds of wood would I have to buy. Can standard lumber such as
1 X 6, 2 X 12, etc be used or should on consider buying the exotic
woods, which seem to come at a pretty big premium?

In addition to the wood, what are one's need in various blades, and
is this a big expense?

Heck, I don't even know enough about this hobby to ask intelligent
questions, so any suggestions / advice anyone will be nice enough to
pass on, I will appreciate.
Thanks in advance,
Bob-tx