mild_peril Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Hi everyone, and thanks for having me. My name's Tommy, and have been scrolling for a little over a couple of months now. Was first introduced to it just before Christmas 2014 after visiting a new friend at his home one day, and was instantly struck - I just loved his simple designs and what he was making as gifts - and I was also a bit envious!.. So like a good elf, I started to visit him for a few days a week over a month or so, just sanding his stuff, watching him cut and so on and developed the urge to have a go on the machine myself, until I eventually asked him for a go. He obliged, naturally, and I just cut a small rabbit puzzle out of some thin ply, and I was hooked. So I saved up a couple of pennies and bought a budget 16" SIP scroll saw. They're not perfect by any standard, and I had a few issues with it at first. After a week of having it, I switched it on one morning and it began to make some very unhealthy sounds, so I took it back to the shop (Tool Station) and got a replacement. The replacement didn't even work! So then I had to take that back to another branch of the same shop in the city, and got another replacement, which luckily worked. So I was happily on my machine for a good few hours a week for a couple of weeks, just using very standard blades, until I did a little research and came across the spiral blades, which I promptly ordered from amazon. But, the method for changing the blades is a little awkward on the SIP, as you need to tighten up a small clamp with an allen key to fasten the blades. This wasn't such a hassle with the pin end blades, but the pinless spiral blades were a bit fiddly. Add that to the fact that there is no direct access to the bottom clamp on the SIP, and you have to thread your blade throught the gap, and then in the clamp and then tighten it up with the allen key. But these machines aren't really set-up for pinless blades, as after a few tightens too tight, the allen key bolt rounded off and the damn thing got stuck! And for love nor money could I budge it, and ended up having to send it back to SIP for them to repair it. (It was still under guarantee with tool station, but they had none left in stock and were being a bit funny about giving me another one.. I digress.) I got it back nearly 2 weeks later and started afresh. I also worked out that I didn't need to tighten it any where near what I had been tightening it with the pinless blades and was beginning to get used to it.. But then, the bolt rounded off again, and it was stuck, again! Thank god though, this time I was able to prize it out, and I got myself a packet of M4 flat head screws/bolts and some new washers, and was able to fit them, and touch wood, it's been fine since. So I'm a happy scroller now, and just slowly beginning to build some confidence and watching my technique grow slowly more steady. Have largely been using pine to practice and cut shapes, but have recently aquired a load of half inch solid oak panels measuring about 20x20 inches, and have started to undertake some more daring fretwork, although I'm no where near the standard where I want to share photographs of my projects. And I do apologise for the long winded first post, but just thought I'd introduce myself a little more fully. All the best, Tommy. bobscroll 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hi everyone, and thanks for having me. My name's Tommy, and have been scrolling for a little over a couple of months now. Was first introduced to it just before Christmas 2014 after visiting a new friend at his home one day, and was instantly struck - I just loved his simple designs and what he was making as gifts - and I was also a bit envious!.. So like a good elf, I started to visit him for a few days a week over a month or so, just sanding his stuff, watching him cut and so on and developed the urge to have a go on the machine myself, until I eventually asked him for a go. He obliged, naturally, and I just cut a small rabbit puzzle out of some thin ply, and I was hooked. So I saved up a couple of pennies and bought a budget 16" SIP scroll saw. They're not perfect by any standard, and I had a few issues with it at first. After a week of having it, I switched it on one morning and it began to make some very unhealthy sounds, so I took it back to the shop (Tool Station) and got a replacement. The replacement didn't even work! So then I had to take that back to another branch of the same shop in the city, and got another replacement, which luckily worked. So I was happily on my machine for a good few hours a week for a couple of weeks, just using very standard blades, until I did a little research and came across the spiral blades, which I promptly ordered from amazon. But, the method for changing the blades is a little awkward on the SIP, as you need to tighten up a small clamp with an allen key to fasten the blades. This wasn't such a hassle with the pin end blades, but the pinless spiral blades were a bit fiddly. Add that to the fact that there is no direct access to the bottom clamp on the SIP, and you have to thread your blade throught the gap, and then in the clamp and then tighten it up with the allen key. But these machines aren't really set-up for pinless blades, as after a few tightens too tight, the allen key bolt rounded off and the damn thing got stuck! And for love nor money could I budge it, and ended up having to send it back to SIP for them to repair it. (It was still under guarantee with tool station, but they had none left in stock and were being a bit funny about giving me another one.. I digress.) I got it back nearly 2 weeks later and started afresh. I also worked out that I didn't need to tighten it any where near what I had been tightening it with the pinless blades and was beginning to get used to it.. But then, the bolt rounded off again, and it was stuck, again! Thank god though, this time I was able to prize it out, and I got myself a packet of M4 flat head screws/bolts and some new washers, and was able to fit them, and touch wood, it's been fine since. So I'm a happy scroller now, and just slowly beginning to build some confidence and watching my technique grow slowly more steady. Have largely been using pine to practice and cut shapes, but have recently aquired a load of half inch solid oak panels measuring about 20x20 inches, and have started to undertake some more daring fretwork, although I'm no where near the standard where I want to share photographs of my projects. And I do apologise for the long winded first post, but just thought I'd introduce myself a little more fully. All the best, Tommy. Welcome Tommy,You just won the door prize for the longest intro,lol Were going to award you a lifetime membership in SSV! How bout that for beginners luck!Your a die hard scroller from day one ,so you fit in nicely around here,Glad to have you on board,so pull up a chair ,pour some coffee and make lots of scrolling friends just like you Welcome again and come back often! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Tell me more! I enjoyed your introduction. Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gator Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 welcome aboard enjoy the sight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hi Tommy, welcome to the Village. I'm Marg from Australia. If that had have been me, I would have given up and asked for my money back. But then again this hobby is an addiction, with no know cure. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mild_peril Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, and thanks to amazingkevin for my lifetime membership! It's nice to be here surrounded by people who share the same passion. Hi Tommy, welcome to the Village. I'm Marg from Australia. If that had have been me, I would have given up and asked for my money back. But then again this hobby is an addiction, with no know cure. Marg This might sound daft, but in a way I'm kinda glad it happened like that, as it made me more determined to do it and take it up as a hobby, and I've found that the more I do it, the more I enjoy it too. wombatie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 A BIG HOWDY from Southern Tenn'And Welcome to the Village mild_peril 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordster Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hi Tommy and welcome...You got some big struggles over with right away..Glad you kept on fighting. I probably would have made an anchor out of the saw right off.Good idea for the bolts I the clamps.The allen keys wear down faster that you want. Gordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Welcome Tommy I am Ike and you joined the right outfit. We have a lot experts here to give advice and loads of free patterns. so take advantage of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Welcome to the Village, Tommy!....Go on and show us some of your work....we were all new to Scrolling at some point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamminjack Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hey Tommy Welcome to our little world. This village is a wealth of information and wonderful people, who are all willing to give their advise and share their experiences. Looking forward to seeing some of your work. Have a great day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mild_peril Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Thanks for the more welcomes everyone, you've made me feel very comfortable here in a short space of time. Hi Tommy and welcome...You got some big struggles over with right away..Glad you kept on fighting. I probably would have made an anchor out of the saw right off.Good idea for the bolts I the clamps.The allen keys wear down faster that you want. Gordie It's a terrible design, and the allen key and bolt round off in no time at all, especially if you're a rank amateur like myself and are tightening it way too tight. If the model can be put up in the machine section, then I'll happily doa full review of it, as I've not come across much info online myself regarding the saws. I'm normally a good researcher too, and I would have been put off by the lack of reviews online, but just got carried away as the tool shop is just down the road and they had them in stock at the time. Ya live and learn. Welcome Tommy I am Ike and you joined the right outfit. We have a lot experts here to give advice and loads of free patterns. so take advantage of it. Hey Tommy Welcome to our little world. This village is a wealth of information and wonderful people, who are all willing to give their advise and share their experiences. Looking forward to seeing some of your work. Have a great day. That's great to hear. I'm not sure I could have picked a better hobby - or rather been picked by the hobby.. Welcome to the Village, Tommy!....Go on and show us some of your work....we were all new to Scrolling at some point! I'm sure I will at some point, but I'll wait a while first before I start embarrassing myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Rock on Tommy a big WELCOME from me. your in the right place for loads of patterns and help enjoy you new found skill. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobscroll Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hello Tommy and welcome to the village, It was very interesting to read your intro! I live in Lancashire near Blackpool, Good on ya tommy! I'll see you around Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Tommy, Don't ever be ashamed of anything you make or feel inferior here in The Village, as everyone one of us made our first piece at one time or another. I always say that no matter how hard one might make an attempt to paint an oil painting, you will not be a Rembrant at first try. I have been scrolling for a few years and my work does not even come close to what other can turn out with their efforts, but I am not here to compare myself with others. I am just pleased to have found that I can now do what I never imagined that I could have accomplished when I started. Just relax and have fun. Make things for the wife. they always enjoy gifts made just for them. and they way outlast flowers. Hope to see you come back often and always remember that you are a unique person and have the ability to do unique things. Go make some more sawdust... Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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