disabled not dead Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Hi Everyone, I am new to the world of scrolling. I have been on disability for 4 years. TV and shopping with my wife has put me on the brink of insanity. About 6 months ago I started doing odd jobs around the house to keep me busy. I bought a used table saw, which helped with shelf making and large jobs around the house. Then I found a Craftsman Scroll Saw at a pawn shop. I paid $40.00 for it, but more importantly, it has breathed new life in me. I absolutely love it. Since it is an old Craftsman, it is not in the best of shape. The holders for the plain pins don't want to hold any more. Even if they did, it is extremely combersome to put plain end blades on on standard cuts, almost impossible on inside cuts. I am hoping for enough Amazon gift cards for my birthday so I can get a new scroll saw. That is where the advice comes in. I know there is a wide range of prices and qualities out there. I know I will have about $200.00 to spend on a new one. I have been looking at the Shop Fox Scroll Saw. Does anyone have any thoughts about this. I am very new to scrolling and could really use some help. So far I have been making small animals and dinosaurs for my grandchildren to play with. I have also made a couple of plaques. I want to get into more complicated toys, such as trucks and puzzles for my grandkids. I'm not looking to sell anything, just give me something to keep me busy. Thanks for any advice. amazingkevin and lawson56 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Hi there and welcome to the fun world of scrolling. It's a hobby you'll never want to give up on. I've been doing it for about 20 yrs or so. I started off making small things and eventually graduated to more fretwork and portraits and military and western and animals... and about anything else that I can get a pattern for. You can get great patterns from www.scrolleronline.com . I am on my 3rd scroll saw now. I just wore out two of them.. the one I have now is a 26" RBI Hawk. I love it. It was pretty pricey though. I'm not sure what's out there for $200, but I bet you could find something good on Craig's list. I love the brand I have, but I'm sure there are lots of good ones out there. There are several pattern books for the puzzles and games you want to do for your grandkids. Have fun!!! disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Welcome to the forum from TN. A great place to meet other scrollers. disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Welcome... Pleased to have you aboard. Wish you the best on getting a great saw. Keep us updated... Wish you the best, it is a great hobby and tension releaver.... disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Welcome to the forum and to the hobby. Always great to see new folks getting interested in scrolling. Unfortunately, the market for new saws in the $200 range can be a little iffy. Manufacturers and models seem to come and go, so it's hard to keep up with what is currently available. I believe Porter Cable has been mentioned as being decent. I have no personal experience with them though. The Delta Shopmaster was another one that used to be regarded as a decent beginner's saw, but I'm not sure if Delta is still manufacturing them anymore. Delta offers a more expensive model that is comparable with the Dewalt 788 and costs a little less, but is still well above your budget figure. There are a ton of models in the entry level market ($100-$150). Unfortunately, I believe most of them are of poor quality and are likely to frustrate you. It's a big jump from there to a new Delta 40-695 or Dewalt 788 that are approaching $500 or an EX-16 that is closer to $600. Perhaps your best bet is to check out used machines. Yes, they can have their problems and I understand why some folks don't like to buy used machinery. But it's also possible and maybe even likely, with some patience and a keen eye, you can get a really good machine within your budget. Look around and post back here with any questions you have on prospects. Folks here have experience with most of the good saws you are likely to find in the used market and someone can give you advice on what to look for and what to look out for. Good luck and have fun making sawdust! disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Welcome to the village. I started out with a craftsman and still have it running. I use it for my spiral blade cuts. Bought an Excalibur 16 and absolutely love everything about it but it was $600. Hope you can find a used Ex or Dewalt. Both are great saws. disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Newbie here myself so no real advise to give. I mainly wanted to say welcome and I hope that you can find a good saw that will let you continue to learn and love this hobby. I am in East Tn. Just took my son down to Athens to start his second year at UGA. Wanted to ask where in GA is Dacula? disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted August 4, 2016 Report Share Posted August 4, 2016 Welcome to the Village Doug! I don't have any advise on a new saw, just wanted to welcome you. So, come on in and join the fun! disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted August 4, 2016 Report Share Posted August 4, 2016 Hi Everyone, I am new to the world of scrolling. I have been on disability for 4 years. TV and shopping with my wife has put me on the brink of insanity. About 6 months ago I started doing odd jobs around the house to keep me busy. I bought a used table saw, which helped with shelf making and large jobs around the house. Then I found a Craftsman Scroll Saw at a pawn shop. I paid $40.00 for it, but more importantly, it has breathed new life in me. I absolutely love it. Since it is an old Craftsman, it is not in the best of shape. The holders for the plain pins don't want to hold any more. Even if they did, it is extremely combersome to put plain end blades on on standard cuts, almost impossible on inside cuts. I am hoping for enough Amazon gift cards for my birthday so I can get a new scroll saw. That is where the advice comes in. I know there is a wide range of prices and qualities out there. I know I will have about $200.00 to spend on a new one. I have been looking at the Shop Fox Scroll Saw. Does anyone have any thoughts about this. I am very new to scrolling and could really use some help. So far I have been making small animals and dinosaurs for my grandchildren to play with. I have also made a couple of plaques. I want to get into more complicated toys, such as trucks and puzzles for my grandkids. I'm not looking to sell anything, just give me something to keep me busy. Thanks for any advice. Best time of my life was spent behind el cheap- saws .Probable the best hobby for the disabled,how well i know!Run what ya brung Let's see some saw dust you've made! disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted August 4, 2016 Report Share Posted August 4, 2016 (edited) Hi Doug, welcome to the Village. I'm Marg from Australia. Sorry can't help you with your saw, wrong country, but good luck with you new hobby, you will love it. Marg By the way, Happy Birthday. Edited August 4, 2016 by wombatie disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted August 4, 2016 Report Share Posted August 4, 2016 Welcome to the forum. Glad you are joining us. disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrampaJim Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 Agree with Bill Wilson. I too, started with a new Craftsman and it broke in 6 months. I found a Dewalt 788 on Craigslist and bought it. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I run it every day for at least an hour. My saw is 15 years old or more - love it. Jim disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronx Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 Doug Welcome to the village. I noticed your in the great state of Georgia. I'm also from Georgia but on the west side of town. Powder Springs, Ga to be exact. Like yourself i'm also handicap and scroll sawing has taken my actions away from the TV, staring outside, wishing and hoping into something awesome and rewarding. I was gifted a Porter Cable scroll saw with stand. I would like to gift you with this scroll saw. Then you can save your money for supplies or a better scroll saw down the road. If you would like it it's all yours. I can meet you half way. Just PM me. The only thing I ask for in return is if you up grade then you gift it to someone that's also is need. Ciao Cliff Scrolling Steve, Maryjo Hill, disabled not dead and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country girl Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 Good luck on your new saw. I am lucky, as I am able to do my work in my father's shop. (heppnerguy). I will be posting things as I get them finished. I hope you enjoy this web sight as much as you have enjoyed your new scrolling hobby. I too have found that i like the scroll saw too country girl Theresa LarryEA and disabled not dead 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 Wow Cliff that's awesome! What a great and generous thing to offer. Rob disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 bronx - how very generous of you to gift a saw to someone else in need. I hope that the two of you can work out meeting up soon. disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted August 6, 2016 Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 A Big Welcome Welcome from Southern Tenn. If possible get togather a little more money a get you a DeWalt,there worth the extra dough,There are some good entry level saws out there.But if your planning on cutting fir sometime get you a better saw.I am looking forward to seeing your work.Were here to help. disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vott1 Posted August 6, 2016 Report Share Posted August 6, 2016 Welcome to the Village from South Florida. Glad to have you with us disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country girl Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 I have no advice to give you, but i just wanted to welcome you. I just started as well. disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled not dead Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Doug Welcome to the village. I noticed your in the great state of Georgia. I'm also from Georgia but on the west side of town. Powder Springs, Ga to be exact. Like yourself i'm also handicap and scroll sawing has taken my actions away from the TV, staring outside, wishing and hoping into something awesome and rewarding. I was gifted a Porter Cable scroll saw with stand. I would like to gift you with this scroll saw. Then you can save your money for supplies or a better scroll saw down the road. If you would like it it's all yours. I can meet you half way. Just PM me. The only thing I ask for in return is if you up grade then you gift it to someone that's also is need. Ciao Cliff Wow Cliff, thank you so much for your generosity. Porter Cable is what I was going to order on line from Amazon. It looks like a great saw. I believe changing blades on this would be much easier than the old craftsman I have. I could meet you anytime you would like. Just let me know what would be convenient for you. Again, thank you so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled not dead Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Best time of my life was spent behind el cheap- saws .Probable the best hobby for the disabled,how well i know!Run what ya brung Let's see some saw dust you've made! Don't know if anything I've made is worth posting yet. I am just beginning to learn. I do enjoy making little animals for my grandkids. So far I would say I have made about 70 various animals, birds and dinosaurs for them. I did get ambitious and make some plaques for them also for their walls. That is what got me started. I had a new grandson arrive a month ago and wanted to do something special for him. I made a plaque with his name, birth date and some childrens blocks on the bottom. Not perfect, but my daughter and son in law love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled not dead Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Newbie here myself so no real advise to give. I mainly wanted to say welcome and I hope that you can find a good saw that will let you continue to learn and love this hobby. I am in East Tn. Just took my son down to Athens to start his second year at UGA. Wanted to ask where in GA is Dacula? Dacula is about half way between Atlanta and Athens on Hwy. 316. I would guess about 40 miles ENE of Atlanta and 30 miles W of Athens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Don't know if anything I've made is worth posting yet. I am just beginning to learn. I do enjoy making little animals for my grandkids. So far I would say I have made about 70 various animals, birds and dinosaurs for them. I did get ambitious and make some plaques for them also for their walls. That is what got me started. I had a new grandson arrive a month ago and wanted to do something special for him. I made a plaque with his name, birth date and some childrens blocks on the bottom. Not perfect, but my daughter and son in law love it. Everything is worth posting here. We like to see anything you have done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Dacula is about half way between Atlanta and Athens on Hwy. 316. I would guess about 40 miles ENE of Atlanta and 30 miles W of Athens. Cool - I will look for the signs as we come down next time - should be in the Fall when my Vols come down to play the Dawgs. and I agree with Falcon - anything and everything someone is cutting is worth posting here. That's how we all learn from each other. It really helps me to "see" what others are cutting and how they are sanding and shaping it. Hopefully you and bronx can meet up soon for you to get the saw from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Wow Cliff, thank you so much for your generosity. Porter Cable is what I was going to order on line from Amazon. It looks like a great saw. I believe changing blades on this would be much easier than the old craftsman I have. I could meet you anytime you would like. Just let me know what would be convenient for you. Again, thank you so much. Cliff that is wonderful. I too was given a saw from Randy, that I am enjoying. I already had a saw but liked the idea of giving that particular saw a go.. I too will pass it on to another a little down the road. I love the people here that have so much generousity and are so willing to not only share their knowledge but to also go the extra mile with supplies and tools. I have helped some of the people on here with blades and wood so they could get a better idea of how they make a difference in the success of their projects. I also want to welcome Doug to our family of great people. I am sure that you have already learned that from Cliff. Dick heppnerguy disabled not dead 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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