Noble Batson Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Hey all, I am new to the scroll saw and wood working all together for that matter. I am a Marine and returned from afganastan about 6 months ago. When I returned I needed a hobbie to keep my mind off of things and to keep me busy so I started building small things for my daughter. A doll bed here, table and chairs, shelfs and the such. I was looking at a woodworking magazine the other day and I saw the most amazing clock in the world, did some reading and found out it was done with the scroll saw and I knew I had to have one. So i went online and bought the Dewalt DW788 ...... Wife was not happy ....... She asked for me to return it when it arived and to buy a cheaper one. So instead of waiting I went out that night and bought the Porter Cable model i found. I built a Doll Chair last night and quite please with myself, broke 2 blades so I was mad about that but none the less pretty happy. PS, Dwalt should be showing up some time this weekend..... I might just return the porter cable lol. Noble bobscroll and lawson56 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogies Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 welcome...have fun new or not.....and thanks for serving our country.......... this is a great place to get information.......we all like to give advice.......and we like pictures....... Duane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Noble a big WELCOME from me. you'll enjoy the scrollin' and believe me you should keep the Dewalt you get what you pay for unless you find you don't like scrollin' then it's a waste of money. Roly PS: You marines are not paid enough for what you do. LarryEA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Semper Fidelis! First and formost, God Bless you for your service. * For scroll saws, cheap "Does Not Cut It". Fact and pun intended. Dewalt is an excellent saw in its price range. You should be happy with it. * Breaking blades goes with the territory. Quite common. Blades wear thin(ner), heat up, you take a turn too sharp and new sawers push too much. The Village is better than a magazine. Lots of patterns and more every day. Ask a question, it will be answered. You can also do a searches on a question 'cause may ahve already been asked. Oh Yes, there is KP duty at the Coffee House. You gotta make coffee and tea sometimes. Salute from Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Welcome to the village Noble. Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson's Woodworking Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 #1 Thank You for your service. #2 I would just keep them both. Everyone needs a backup saw anyway. Believe me your wife is going to love what you create with them. Take a good look around the village and see what all these talented people have built. The ideas are endless. #3 Post pictures of your machines and the work that comes off of them. We love to see the projects and the progress you make as you get better and better with your saws. And #4 Thank You for your service. Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 I would use the porter cable as much a you can and notice how much vibration it has and noise.Then when the dewalt comes do the same thing and notice the creature features of both.Trust me, you will be more than pleased with the dewalt.i used cheap low end saws for years and years not knowing there is a difference.When i finally got the dewalt i turned it on and said ,where's the noise and the vibration.Ther is none.It's one of the few saws where you can raise the arm to insert the blade easily plus you can do 40 " projects with it .I've done several 20" x 40" ones easy.There's after market gizmos that hold the arm up for you.one is in the advertizements on top of this page.Thanks for joining ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Amen to all that was said above. The only reason to use the PC is so you have more appreciation for the DW788. DO NOT RETURN THE DW788. If you like doing other things with wood you will love scrolling. I assure you, when you go out there and turn the saw on you forget about other things and are only in to what you are doing - a scroll saw will lock you in mentally and for longer than a chop saw, table saw, planer, or almost any other woodworking tool - a lathe might do the same but I do not have a lathe. Cruise this site to pick up all sorts of hints about using your saw, blades, dust control, etc. I am constantly in awe of what the folks here can do, much of which I am not willing to attempt, and there willingness to respond to questions and provide whatever help they can. If you have great talent you will love scrolling and if your talent is more meager like mine you will still find what you like and can do and will love it just as much. It is an addiction which will not result in you being incarcerated and you go to the wood store rather than the pharmacy. Most of what I do is word art with a lot of short sayings but what I especially enjoy doing is names for children. They are a very appreciative and uncritical audience. Look around in the user gallery and pattern library for things you might like to try and never be frustrated. The more you do the more you learn and you will find the niche you enjoy. Enjoy, ask questions, share pictures, and share what you learn with all of us and especially with scrollers that come after you. Stogies, Wilson's Woodworking and LarryEA 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 G'day Noble, welcome to the Village. I'm Marg from Australia. DO NOT RETURN THE DeWalt YOU WILL REGRET IT. I have had my DeWalt for years and I also have an Excalibur EX21 and out of the 2 I much prefare the DeWalt. And then get your self a Lifter, you can usually find them at the top of the page. Any questions just ask. By the way scrolling IS addictive and there is no known cure. Marg Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Noble a Big Welcome home! and A BIG THANK YOU for your service.from on Vet to another. :thumbs: Welcome to The Village your gonna Love it here.you will get all the help you need.s far as the Porter Cable goes,weelll.I own one have for a few years.only problem I've had with it.Had to replace the bellows.Other than that,it's been a fine saw. Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobscroll Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 As you can see Noble, You are getting good advice already lol, Welcome to the village, And thanks for the intro, And free patterns as well, Bob Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Welcome Noble- Thanks for your service . Keep the Big Yellow I have owned several cheaper scroll Saws including the PC. You get what you pay for I had all kinds of problem with the PC, Send the PC Back. I have my Dewalt 788 for about a year and the PC after a year went into the DUMPSTER ike Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Welcome. I too thank you for your service to our country. I too know that if you enjoy scrolling like we all do, then you will eventually own the Dewalt or one similar to it. Better spending the money now then buying two or more saws before you finally 'go for it, anyway' If you have any questions about anything, ASK. You will get several answers of help. Having a problem with something ? Ask again. We have all probably experienced whatever you might be going through. Glad you found us.. my helpful hint; make several nice things just for the little lady, It won't take her long to be glad you purchased that saw, after all. Dick heppnerguy Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rover2 Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 Welcome to the village Noble, thank you for your service and welcome home. Hang on to that dewalt, You will not regret it. Al Stogies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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