New guy

[Aranaudojr]

I don't know if I am posting this properly but.
I guess there must be a lot of messages like this, but here goes. My wood working experience has been very limited. I have a friend who is also a disabled veteran like myself and he introduced me to making knife handles and blades. I have made a few crude one for my family. However when I saw the boxes that can be made on scroll saws and band saws, I knew what I would like to try. Another disabled vet (a different one one gave me two scroll saws) and I was off and running.. On the first project I made some mistakes and have scrap wood to prove it. The second project was a ribbon box and my blades have pins on them, so my entry holes are too large. Can anyone suggest a saw that is not way expensive, but has the ability to take blades without pins. Any other help anyone can provide would be appreciated. Thank you.

[pddesertrat]

I don't know what brand saws you have, but for some of them, like Craftsman's I think there is a conversion that lets you make them pin less.

http://www.olsonsaw.net/ac49610.html

In fact it looks like this kit would let you use either type blade.

[Blue Peeps]

I owned a Porter Cable PCB375SS (purchased from Lowes for $200) and I feel that it is a very impressive saw for the money. Very user friendly and the build quality is quite high, considering its $200 price tag (which includes a stand).

I no longer own the Porter Cable (I scroll with a DeWalt 788 Type 1) but I enjoyed my time with it and feel that it is an awesome value for those that do not wish to spend $500-$1000 on a scroll saw, yet want one that is user friendly and built well.

I've also owned a Harbor Freight scroll saw, and after using the Porter Cable and the 788, it feels more like a torture device than a scroll saw. Understandable for the price, but not something that I wanted to use for any length of time.

[Reaper]

I would check a few auction websites. There are always some available for bid......

[julief]

Best entry level saw is the Porter Cable available at Lowes for around $200.00.  It is a very user friendly saw and got top ratings for it's class.  I have a few friends that have started on the PC and love it.

[GrayBeard]

IF you have a DeWalt type I saw you are in luck! It is one of the best!

Just contact Mike at <http://www.mikesworkshop.com/index.htm> and get the proper blades and get busy scrolling!

~~~GB~~~

[jerry1939]

Because of Religious reasons (I'm a Devout Cheapskate), I bought this.  Money VERY well spent.  Takes pin & plain end blades.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools/saws/16-performax-scroll-saw/p-1498056-c-9082.htm