I haven't used the scroll saws you mentioned and I have no familiarity with
them. What I use (about a dozen years) is a 2 speed Delta 16" with quick
release blade clamps. Get the quick release feature. When first learning
and doing simple shapes, you won't do many piercing cuts but as you get
better and start doing fret work, you will appreciate the quick release and
reclamping. I paid about $100 for it back then.

I assume you are looking at one that uses plain end blades and not the pin
type. Pin type blades are much bigger and can't do as tight a turn.

The other thing you will find very helpful is the foot switch. I use this
on a lot of my tools. If something happens, I step back and it powers down.
I had a piece fly off the lathe this morning. It hit me in the face (face
shield) so it didn't much matter but when I stepped back the lathe stopped.
On the scroll saw it beats having to reach for the switch all the time. If
you are doing a lot of piercing cuts it makes life a lot easier. Also,
blades will break and you can stop the saw quicker by stepping off than
reaching for a switch.

You can use any wood. The exotic stuff is nice but the only place I've used
any of it is on the lathe. For simple shapes like state outlines, 3/4" pine
does the job nicely. But if you get into the fret work you will often be
using thin material and plywood works best although it does trade off edge
appearance. Once you start cutting out stuff from the piece, it gets
fragile. Plywood helps keep things from breaking so easy. I use a lot of
aromatic cedar to make Christmas ornaments with. They may break if dropped
but it makes nicer ornaments.

Most of the time I use a #5 blade. Some people swear by spiral blades
because they cut in all directions but a #5 leaves a nice smooth edge that
doesn't often need sanding. Spiral blades leave a rougher edge. I found
them harder to control but others say they are easier. With a #5 blade I
can spin a piece around and reverse directions. Takes a little practice but
changing directions isn't a bit hard. For thicker and harder wood you might
need to go to a bigger blade (#9). I sometimes use a #2 but usually that's
for very fine work or when I'm doing a baby ornament. I mount a picture of
a newborn and make a bell around it. I then cut the picture around the baby
leaving just the baby outline. A #5 blade leaves the paper cut fuzzy so I
use a #2.

Learning is an issue -- I did it by reading Patrick Spielman books and
relying on luck. Better to have someone teach you. I didn't have that
option but you might get the store owner's father-in-law to give you some
instruction. Since we are in a binaries group I've attached a couple of
pictures. The napkin holders are 1/4" plywood and the ornaments are 1/4"
aromatic cedar (from tongue and groove closet liner).


"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














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