Questions from Florida newbie

[floridagramps]

Florida Gramps here. Took delivery of my 2nd Dewalt 788 this weekend. First one was DOA. Second one seems to work fine. I did not elevate the front leg and the table is fairly level. A scroller at Tampa woodworking show this weekend suggested sitting tall, keeping back straight and only scriolling for an hour or two at a time to minimize fatigue and mistakes.

 

This same scroller also suggested an adhesive called 777 or something similar that I can buy at Home Depot. Anyone have a better suggestion? He had some beautiful fretwork clocks on display and told me I should be able to do the same in a week or so. We'll see.

 

I purchased a scroller workbook at Woodcraft w 20 or so lessons which I will work my way through this week. Each lesson gets a little more complex. I suspect that learning by doing is the only way. If anyone has suggestions for a newbie w 10 thumbs, I am all ears.

 

I am practicing with 1/4 plywood scraps. What should I use for more serious projects and where do I get it? Is Baltic Birch the preferred wood for most projects? Please suggest suppliers. I will be very interested in trying contrasting wood projects.........is 1/4 inch walnut and maple the preferred way to go?

 

I have watched numerous Steve Good U-Tube sessions. He makes it look so easy. I will buy some lemon oil and dump it into a plastic container w top. Steve seems to just immerse his finished project into a lemon oil bath and then let them dry. I assume one must brush off the excess to avoid puddling. I bought some painters pyramids at the Tampa show which should be useful in finishing scroll saw projects.

 

I also purchased 2 DVD's from Woodline (known primarily for router accessories). One of them will eable the user to scroll his name and a few words into a hammer handle and the other will enable the user to create a template where all the letters in a word are connected and ready to be scroll sawn. So I have plenty to do this first week as a scroller.

 

I have a light with a magnifier which I bought years ago. Any suggestions on attaching this magnifying light to Dewalt 788? I think I have seen reference to a 3rd party product that keeps Dewalt upper ar elevated when changing blades.

 

I enjoy this forum and look forward to being a contributer. My wife has an Olympus digital camera which I intend to borrow. She found the accompanying SW very difficult to use in downloading pics to web. I am looking for an easy way to download pics. Someone suggested getting a card reader that plugs into UBS port on PC to facilitate reading camera memory cards and then downloading Picasso and Voila you'll be off and running. This is what I intend to try unless someone has a better suggestion.

 

This has been an overly long posting. I apologize but I've let my enthusiam for this new hobby run away.

 

floridagramps

[Travis]

Congrats on the new saw! I think you'll really enjoy it. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

This same scroller also suggested an adhesive called 777 or something similar that I can buy at Home Depot. Anyone have a better suggestion? He had some beautiful fretwork clocks on display and told me I should be able to do the same in a week or so. We'll see.

 

Super 77 is made by 3M. Its a really good one. I personally use Durobond. I get it from WalMart I think. Pretty much any spray adhesive works, though.

 

I am practicing with 1/4 plywood scraps. What should I use for more serious projects and where do I get it? Is Baltic Birch the preferred wood for most projects? Please suggest suppliers. I will be very interested in trying contrasting wood projects.........is 1/4 inch walnut and maple the preferred way to go?

 

Baltic birch is a favorite plywood among scrollers. Solid woods are nice too, but can be fragile as they tend to break along the grain. For plywood suppliers, you can check out Sloans Woodshop or Wood Deals Online. For solid wood, check out either Woodcraft or Wood Deals Online.

 

 

I have watched numerous Steve Good U-Tube sessions. He makes it look so easy. I will buy some lemon oil and dump it into a plastic container w top. Steve seems to just immerse his finished project into a lemon oil bath and then let them dry. I assume one must brush off the excess to avoid puddling. I bought some painters pyramids at the Tampa show which should be useful in finishing scroll saw projects.

 

I use his technique. Dip in lemon oil, wipe off excess. When dry, use a clear acrylic spray to seal it in.

[ron w b]

huh i learned something never used lemon oil gotta try it

[NiTay614]

Congradulations on your new toy! I am relatively new to this hobby as well. I have found that everyone here a scroll saw village is wonderful in their support and advice. I look forward to seeing your work.

[Clayton717]

I use spray glue purchased from walmart, the durobond and elmers. I like to use baltic birch for my scrolled pieces. I have my saw elevated in the rear so it tilts towards me, and I can look down at the table. I sit while scrolling and sometimes scroll for a few hours at a time.

 

I have a card reader I use to upload the pictures from my camera. I use paintshop pro to do my editing, just for the fact I already had that installed, I also use it to make patterns.

My advise is find out which ways work best for you, and you are comfortable with, and most of all make SAWDUST.

[steviegwood]

I also use the Duro brand spray adhesive. I get it at Walmart and Lowes also carries it. It is the cheapest re-positionable adhesive that I have found so far. Not knocking the 3M brands because they are good and so are others, just pointing out cost effectiveness. BTW, Welcome to the forum. Steve

[Vector01]

Looks like most of the stuff has been answered. I would suggest picking up some clear packing tape and a tape gun. Applying packing tape to the wood prior to attaching your pattern will make it easier to remove the pattern later. I have a clamp on lamp/magnifier that I attach to my table next to the saw. I just swing it over when I need it. I like the 1/4" baltic birch plywood from Sloane's for most of my pieces. I would also suggest picking up a sample pack of FD blades from Mike's Woodshop.