ranndii923 Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Hi all! My name is Randi, I've been following the scroll saw hobby for a while, drooling over everything and Sunday bite the bullet and purchased a SS for myself and some spare blades. It literally showed up on my door today (Wednesday). Didn't even have a change to do some research on the types of wood to be using as a pure beginner. The last time I touched a SS was probably in 9th grade (2006) in my shop class. As the only girl, with a passion for woodworking, I quickly advanced in my class. So, would anyone be willing to make some suggestions on wood types? I, unfortunately, only have HD and Lowes to choose from in my small town 😔 lawson56, amazingkevin and Birchbark 3 Quote
Scrappile Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome to the village Randi. Glad to have you move next door. The type of wood will depend on what type of scrolling you are interested in. Let us know and you will get headed in the right direction. Quote
blights69 Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome to the village Randi I too am fairly new to scrolling but I use many materials do not let the material you find put you off try it on the saw if it works it works I cut old records pallet wood scrap boards old shelves all sorts. Happy Scrolling Frank Quote
lawson56 Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome to the Village Randi,Scrapi is right,I myself use 1/4 inch Luan,I use to use 3/4 White Pine.It just depends on what your going Scrolling style will be. Quote
David Lehner Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 welcome to the Village .... I use Baltic Birch plywood for a lot of my projects.. 1/8 and 1/4 inch most of the time ... I purchase it online ...readily available Quote
ranndii923 Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome to the village Randi. Glad to have you move next door. The type of wood will depend on what type of scrolling you are interested in. Let us know and you will get headed in the right direction. Right now I'm thinking I want to start out making signs, either painted or stained, and then work my way up to more intracate things. I'm wanting to start simple as to not get discouraged. Birchbark 1 Quote
fredfret Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Good plan Ranndii923. I would suggest using some pine and maybe some 1/4 in plywood until you get the feel for your saw and feel comfortable making basic items then trying "better" materials (Walnut, Maple, etc) If you can get it without spending a lot Baltic Birch plywood is much better to cut than the usual Ply available at the big box stores. Hope you enjoy this as much as most of us do. Welcome. Fredfret Wichita, Ks Quote
LarryEA Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Hey Randi, Welcome.. You probably have a hardware store or two nearby... They all supply wood building material 'like' Lauan, Baltic Birch... Go on line and do a search in your area for building suppy stores Quote
Bill WIlson Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome Randi! Since you are a "yinzer" you may be interested in our scroll saw club, the Blazin' Blades of Western PA. We're love getting new members, especially beginners. Let me know if you would like more info. Quote
AK Moose Nugget Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Hello from Alaska, Randi. I too am just beginning and my advice would be take your time and practice, practice. Glad to have you aboard. Quote
meflick Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Hi Randi. Several girls here in the village so you won't be the only like you were in shop class. Welcome to the village from East Tennessee. I'm a relative newbie to the saw myself. I got started wanting to do Intarsia work which requires a lot of different woods, colors of woods, etc. Then I found the village and have ventured off into some other aspects of scroll sawing as well. You mentioned you got some spare blades, you will want to learn that different types of woods, different thicknesses, different projects will require different blade thicknesses as well so make sure to read up on all that good info shared here too. As far as wood, as already noted - its going to depend on what you want to do. If you want to try signs first, then you might look for some pine, oak, luan, or baltic burch plywood at your local Lowes and HD. You might also google around and see if you can find some lumberyards not too far away. If you are close to Bill and the Blazin Blades SS club he mentions above, I would highly suggest that you look into it. I found working in person with those who scroll helped my skills alot. Good luck and let us know how we can help. We love to see pictures too! Quote
ranndii923 Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome Randi! Since you are a "yinzer" you may be interested in our scroll saw club, the Blazin' Blades of Western PA. We're love getting new members, especially beginners. Let me know if you would like more info. Bill, where are you located? I love when someone else knows what yins/yinz mean! Usually people look at me like I'm nuts! Haha Quote
Scrolling Steve Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome to the Village, Randi !....Glad to have you aboard ! Quote
Blaughn Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome to the Village, Randy. Bruce Minneapolis Quote
Denny Knappen Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome to the forum from TN. You all ready received good suggestions. I get a lot of my wood from a custom furniture maker. His throw away bin has wonderful wood for scrolling. Quote
Bill WIlson Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Randi, I'm from Butler. Our scrollsaw club meets near Sarver, which is not too far off of Rt 28, north of Pittsburgh. Several members are from the surrounding area, but we have folks who are from as far away as Monroeville, North Versailles, New Bethlehem, Valencia. Quote
ranndii923 Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Posted March 23, 2017 Bill, Johnstown here! Monroville/Pittsburgh is about a 60/90 minutes from me if you're familiar with the area. I've never heard of Sarver, I'll have to look it up! lol I travel a lot, just not around PA haha Quote
Bill WIlson Posted March 23, 2017 Report Posted March 23, 2017 Well, Johnstown is a little more of a trip, but you would certainly be welcome, if you choose to pay us a visit. Sarver is a small town, north and east of Johnstown, near routes 28 and 356. It's probably around a 1.5 hour drive. Quote
wombatie Posted March 25, 2017 Report Posted March 25, 2017 Hi Randi, welcome to the Village. I'm Marg from Australia. Glad you joined us. I notice that you mentioned that you wanted to make signs, I am not trying to put you off but letters are one of the hardest things to cut for a beginner so please don't be disheartened if your first attempts don't turn out the way that you expect.. Your motto from now on should be practice, practice, practice. Marg Quote
amazingkevin Posted March 25, 2017 Report Posted March 25, 2017 Bill, where are you located? I love when someone else knows what yins/yinz mean! Usually people look at me like I'm nuts! Haha Urban Dictionary: yinzwww.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yinz Short for "you ones"; could also be used in place of: you you guys you all y'all. Quote
tuner Posted March 25, 2017 Report Posted March 25, 2017 WELCOME to the village, you have the desire the rest will come don't rush yourself, it's about having fun while you learn right now, post often let us know how your doing. Quote
ranndii923 Posted March 26, 2017 Author Report Posted March 26, 2017 I was wondering, what does everyone suggest... separate stand or mounting to a work bench? I'd love something portable, but I bought a highly suggested beginner saw not wanting to invest too much. Quote
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