Messages

1

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: scrolling in old age

« on: January 09, 2019, 12:44:28 pm »

I'm only 75 and I started scrolling about 20 years ago when I was still working.
I've owned 3 scroll saws over the years. My last one is 15 years old now.
I developed COPD mostly from woodworking and haven't used my saw for about 5 years. I have been considering trying to get back into the shop. But, I'll have to wait and see.

2

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Took the plunge and bought a scroll saw

« on: January 04, 2019, 06:53:01 pm »

Mark,
 Keep in mind when scrounging for wood... It doesn't have to be NEW wood, it doesn't have to be BIG pieces of wood, It can be PLYWOOD of ANY thickness and any diminution. And color and interesting grain doesn't really matter in scroll sawing. The beauty is in the pattern and skill of the person guiding the wood through the blade.

3

The Coffee Shop / Re: My thoughts exactly

« on: October 29, 2018, 05:45:55 pm »

I would fully agree with your thought.

4

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Wood for Christmas Ornaments

« on: October 29, 2018, 05:43:12 pm »

That is true, FREE doesn't sell well.
Try making a few fancier ones and have two or three prices for them. Like $1.00, $2.00 and $3.00 just to see if that makes a difference. People want to spend money especially if they are getting a good deal or, it is perceived as a good deal. You could add "$1.00 each or three for $4.00" just to see what happens.

5

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Cutting Plexiglass

« on: October 20, 2018, 05:53:08 pm »

I have cut SOME plexiglass over the years and DW is correct about cleaning the kerf well or it will melt right back together.
When we use the term "weld" or "melt", that is exactly what we mean. Heat is bad when cutting anything with any kind of blade, and plastic is the worst. It will melt right behind the blade and trap it so that you can't back out and when you stop, it seizes the blade in position and you can not go forward either!
All that being said, it is obvious that you will want to use a slow speed and be slow moving forward to keep heat at a minimum. I have only cut 1/8" and with very easy curves so if you are cutting small tight patterns or thinner or thicker material, I have no more advice.
I have no suggestions as far as blades either, so go with DW on that.


Rog

6

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: sticky situation

« on: September 26, 2018, 05:37:20 pm »

Sounds good Judy. I could go for that.
Which brings up an off subject story....I built an old fashioned country windmill for our back yard several years ago. It has withstood the Kansas winters and wind for a long time now but a week or so ago, one of the blades came out and left it looking like a toothless grin.
I thought, "no problem, a stepladder and a little Titebond III and we are good to go." Well guess what, I'm out of TB3 ! OK, off to Lowe's I go for the smallest bottle of TB3 they make (I'm not needing more than 6 drops at the most) Guess what, the ONLY bottles of Titebond III are QUARTS!....Anyone in need of some good water proof glue ? Haha

7

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: sticky situation

« on: September 22, 2018, 07:48:17 pm »

Thank you Karl and Judy for the nice comments.
I'm just a grumpy old man that always comes off sounding (reading) like a "Smart@$$" but, as the umpire says. "I just call them like I see them".
I have been wood working and scroll sawing as a hobby for about 20 or more years and can't do it any more due to COPD but, I do still read a few web sites and try to be helpful to people when I can be.

8

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: sticky situation

« on: September 20, 2018, 05:27:51 pm »

In 15+ years of wood working, I have never seen or heard of any such glue.

The secret is to not get glue in the wrong place to start with. You can either stain before gluing and using tape to keep stain out of planed glue areas OR glue before staining using tape to keep glue out of planed stain areas.

Glue and stain (or paint) do not play well together and I doubt they ever will because they both want to live in the same pores of the wood to do their job and there is not room for everyone.

9

Pattern Requests. / Re: photo puzzle template

« on: September 17, 2018, 03:30:04 pm »

I know this is going to be hard to believe but, YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN pattern!
I suggest starting with a piece of paper 8-1/2" x 11" (standard typing paper) or the size you want. And draw a grid all over it using a pencil and ruler. You might start with using 1" squares or what ever works to get the number of pieces you want the puzzle to have. Then free hand the squiggle lines between the corners of the grid with the pencil and then darken the lines with a black ballpoint pen to make the pattern. Oh yes you can draw worth a darn ! Just give it a try before you cry.
OR... You can just cut the pattern freehand with the saw. Yes, that can be done too...I've done it!

10

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Glue then stain?

« on: July 11, 2018, 12:17:01 pm »

You can do it either way BUT, just make sure you don't get stain where the glue needs to go AND don't get glue where you want the stain.
You can cover the glue joints with blue tape and then be able to stain every surface first. Then remove the tape when it is glue time.
Or you can cover the stain areas right next to where the glue goes and do your glue up and NOT get it where the stain will go.
It seems that glue doesn't like to stick to any painted, oiled or stained surface. And likewise stain especially wont cover glue in the pores  of wood.
Hope that gives you some ideas.

11

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Foot switch

« on: May 30, 2018, 12:44:19 pm »

That is the nice part about this group....You have the right to be wrong. 

12

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Saw upgrade

« on: April 27, 2018, 04:24:35 pm »

I started on a CHEAP $100.00 Tradesman saw. It used only pinned blades but, I got by with it for 2 or 3 years and learned and had fun.
Then I up graded to a Dremmel saw that was about $200.00 at the time (2008 or so) and it was a noticeable difference to the better.
Finally I ended up with a De Walt that included a stand and light (2012 or so) and I love it ! I still have it but seldom use it anymore.
At one time I considered upgrading again but then I thought, "I don't really need a Corvette when a VW will get me to the church on time."

13

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Whats Happened ?

« on: April 25, 2018, 05:29:30 pm »

I check in here everyday and read every new post. But, since I can no longer do any wood working, I seldom post anything.
I worked on the scroll saw since before I retired at the age of 62 (I started at about 58 years old and I'm 74 now) and loved it.
I learned a lot over the years and shared everything here on this forum. If you don't believe me, scroll back through the posts a few years and look for "Rapid Roger".
People have cussed and discussed every subject and problem there is to be had several times over and over again. Things in this hobby just don't change all that much.
And as for you whiners....Just look how many people have responded to just this one thread!
Yes things have slowed down a bit (on several wood working sites that I frequent) but trust me, by fall things will start to pick back up again.
Remember, Steve Good didn't just start this forum a year ago, it has been around for some time. Check my "join-up date !

14

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Oops

« on: March 09, 2018, 01:09:26 pm »

The piece that is my ID was hanging on a door. It fell about 60" and hit a concrete floor. It is no more, I threw all63 pieces in the trash. Wood glue just wasn't going to be enough. LOL

15

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Scrolling with my GRANDCHILDREN

« on: February 23, 2018, 11:58:08 am »

Rule #1 for anyone in any shop....Shoes are required ! ....Flip flops do not count as shoes.