Scroll saw support tools

[DaveInGA]

Hello all,

I'm Dave and I'm new to scroll sawing.  A few years back now, I had a complete woodworking shop excepting a scroll saw, including cabinet saw, jointer, planer, etc.  I no longer have any of that except my hand planes and chisels.  Recently, my wife expressed some interest in scroll sawing, so to see if it's something we might be interested in, I bought a WEN 3920 scroll saw, a slightly upgraded HF scroll saw.  I didn't want to invest too much initially, until we had some time to try things out and see how we liked the hobby.  I own a shop vacuum with hose suitable for the saw's dust port.  I also own  a 1/3 sheet palm sander and a oscillating palm sander, both good quality sanders.  I upgraded the saw blade holder system and have tuned the saw as much as possible.  I bought a HF steel stand and am adding MDF tabletop and shelf with a couple bags of play stand to add stability/dampen vibration as much as possible.  At this point, I don't have a lot invested.  My long term plan is to try this out and if we like it, invest in one of the Excaliber scroll saw variations.  I own a table top drill press and battery powered drills/screw drivers.  (I'm a do it yourself type.)

I have realized I will need some support tools that aid in sanding and finishing the cut out (scrolled?) bits.  I know I don't want to invest in woodworking shop tools (tablesaw, jointer, planer, etc) quite yet and am willing to buy wood online or at big box stores until we decide if scroll sawing is for us.  But making such a decision requires we be able to finish the project, so I am looking at/for a list of useful tools related to sanding or other aspects of scroll sawing (wood burning/wood carving maybe?) that are not as a big an investment as say, a table saw or jointer.

I would greatly appreciate suggestions I might consider looking at buying, as I want to get together a list.  Generic names for such tools, a specific brand example and perhaps a couple reasons why this type of tool or that. 

I've read quite a bit on the selection of a scroll saw, but I learned with my first wood shop a cabinet saw, a jointer and a planer do not a woodshop make.  It's the small items that allow one to finish the project that can make a big difference.

Can you help me?

Thank you,

Dave

[Rockytime]

I find an electric palm sander is handy. A Dremel tool with a plunge router attachment takes the drilling of pilot holes so much easier.

[Woodrush]

A bench top belt sander with disc is a helpful tool.

[SS Novice]

Sounds like you have most of whats needed already , Jump in and start sawing 

[dirtrider73068]

Check your local facebook sales sites or craiglist for used tools like tablesaws and such instead of buying new, even pawn shops have good deals rather than buying new ones. Most all my tools I have bought used, my table saw is a older craftsman 10 inch I bought for 50 bucks, drill press was new but a small cheap HF version does good for drilling holes in the wood, I did trade work and got a big belt/disc sander combo unit cost me 20 bucks.

Even a cheap circular saw would be a start to cut wood down to size. or even a small portable table saw would work.

[Toneman]

May I suggest using good blades like Flying Dutchman, Pagus, or Olson. Cheap blades can really cause problems and really, blades are not that expensive anyway.

[DaveInGA]

ok, here's my list so far:

1.  A Dremel tool with a plunge router attachment - There's a lot of different ones nowadays and my old one is about worn out from gunsmithing work I used to do.  Any suggestion on which model new one?

2.  4 X 36 belt/6" disc sander - any specific model suggestion?  I'm also looking at the HF 6 X 48 belt/9 disc with stand unit, as I know it's much better than it used to be from watching youtube vids and can be modified with cast iron grizzly tables/disc.   I was looking at the smaller HF one, but see it doesn't have much in the way of dust collection.  Is it better to tune it and add dust collection or better to buy one with dust collection already?  BTW, I can afford better tools, but would prefer to keep things to a reasonable spending level on certain items so as to buy nicer saws/jointers/planers later.

3. One the used tools:  The local craigslist doesn't have much that's reasonably priced.  Either it's old and completely worn out needing rebuild/restoration or priced so high it'd be as cheap to buy new and get something with a warranty.  Been looking there for a couple months, but so far, no joy.  Just not much in the NE GA/Atlanta area within reasonable driving distance.

4.  Flying Dutchman, Pagus, or Olson saw blades - I'm looking at just getting the Dutchman sampler pack as a starter set.  Is this a good choice?

Thank you for your suggestions so far, please keep em coming.  I'm especially interested in sanding tool suggestions....

[termite]

mop sander-i use mine alot

[DaveInGA]

mop sander-i use mine alot

Termite,

Would you be kind enough to elaborate on which mop sander, especially grits that are good to have?  I found youtube videos on what they are and how to use them, but not what grits to own....

Thank you,

Dave

[termite]

i use 120 & 180 grit from Klingspor's woodworking shop