need ideas for a 1st scroll saw project

[Southerocker]

Just got my 1st scroll saw, this one, http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-16inch-variable-speed-scroll-saw-21602/p-00921602000P and haven't cut anything with it yet. Was hoping someone could give me a good beginner project so I don't lose interest after the 1st project. I've googled a lot of free templates but nothing inspired me. I would like to do something with a deer or buck, maybe. I don't know.

[Fab4]

Hi Southherorocker:
Welcome aboard
Go to www.scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.ca
This is the great site that Steve Good has
Check out the pattern library
You will definetely find something of interest to you there
If you don't find anything there then you may want to think
of finding another hobby. (lol)
If you need more help with anything just ask
If you haven't done so you may want to tell us a little something about yourself on the Welcome page
Have Fun and good luck
Fab4

[dunk]

Sitting down and scrolling out a buck or something may not be the best thing to do.  You may just want to draw some lines on a piece of paper and attach it to some scrap wood.  some zig zags a circle some waves your initials.  You may find yourself humbled quite fast just trying to follow the lines....baby steps.

[countryscroller]

Like Fab4 said, go to his site and he has tons of patterns. From very basic to a little challenging. Also there are links on the left side of his page to instructional videos that he has. Very informative and they are how I learned what I know about scrolling. I also have videos, but they don't go into as much detail as Steve's do. Here is a like to mine.-> http://www.youtube.com/CountryScroller   I would appreciate it if you watch a couple of mine, but hands down you must watch Steve's videos. He also had a series in his videos about a "School" he had and he made instructional videos on types of blades, how to cut certain lines/ shapes, and pattern applying stuff.  Good luck to you. Looking forward to seeing some first projects.

[EIEIO]

Like the other said...

Also, you might try something that  you and you family will use on a regular basis - it's a great incentive to keep making stuff. Dustin (CountryScroller) just did a video on the Toast Tongs (pattern is here:
http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=13485.0). They are on my kitchen counter and get used at least once per day for toast, hot dogs, pickles, peppers, whatever you need to grab.

One of my earliest projects was a basket that we use as a bread basket during dinner. It is a small size and just right for the four of us, and gets regular use.
http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=13204.0
When it's not dinner time, my wife puts a candle in it.

This is a great hobby. I hope you enjoy your new saw. 

[Becky]

This wasn't my very first effort but it was about the next 5.  http://www.stevedgood.com/ribbonbox.pdf  I skipped the ribbon part as the boxes were challenge enough.  I got my saw in very early December and was determined to make Christmas gifts.  I didn't have the control necessary to use thin stock.  I used 3/4" wood for the sides and stack cut the tops and bottoms.  And then I hand sanded everything to fit because I didn't have any power tools!  Talk about a labor of love - emphasis on labor, lol.  But I was ultimately successful, my family liked their boxes (plain as they were) and that encouraged me to keep going and get better.  I think that was the most important thing.  Pick something you think you can really do.  Don't be too ambitious - it'll be plenty challenging enough.  And then build on that initial success, little by little.

And wax your table!  Just some cheap paste wax is fine (follow the directions on the can).  It'll make things a lot easier.  My work got so much better after I learned that trick.

[dirtrider73068]

Just got my 1st scroll saw, this one, http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-16inch-variable-speed-scroll-saw-21602/p-00921602000P and haven't cut anything with it yet. Was hoping someone could give me a good beginner project so I don't lose interest after the 1st project. I've googled a lot of free templates but nothing inspired me. I would like to do something with a deer or buck, maybe. I don't know.

I have that same saw and love it, but here is a tip, and would do this before you use it, there are two bushings at the back, some call them bearings, it takes a big allen wrench remove them, I did mine one at a time, and get some grease and put a little on them then screw them back in, makes a big difference, I didn't do this to mine, and found out later it was metal on metal, and my upper arm was hard to move. I also removed the foot, its just in the way, took the red thumb screw and use it for top blade mount screw as I bottom feed my blade in, and makes it faster to undo the top of the blade, You can also add a fish air pump for better air in the blower, but I also T into the factory pump.

The paste wax they are talking about, you can get at Lowes, its located in the cleaning isle with the cleaners and wax. It take just a little bit, apply let dry to haze, then use clean rag and buff off, would also do this before useing as the top will get surface rust, plus make it slick and easier to turn the wood on the table.

If need to I can make a vid of mine and what I have done to it, so you can see what I am talking about.