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I grew up around tools, my dad was a machinist. I did some hand fretwork as a kid. but my first use of a scroll saw was making some gingerbread for the gable in the shed that I built. I used an inherited Craftsman saw, and it made me realize how much fun scrolling is and it also the Saw taught me that If I wanted to continue the hobby it was not going to be with this saw. It took minutes to go from one hole to the next and only seconds to do the cut. My wife then bought me a Delta SS350 significantly better saw. and I did the small eagle. Lessons learned, don't use crap wood. I then started stack cutting small ornaments. like the one attached.(4") A year after the Delta I bought a Hawk G4 26. I now do a fair amount of work with SSWWC magazine as a test cutter and other challenging projects. I did a presentation at one of the Fox Chapel open house events on "Advanced Scrolling" . My first comment was that there is no such thing. Once you master the basics. Jerry1939 really said it perfectly "To you nice people that hesitate to start what looks like a challenging/difficult piece, just remember it is always 1 hole & cut at a time. It doesn't make any difference if it takes 7 months (as this did), or you start 1 or more projects per day. The amount of sawdust is the same either way." As soon as you tell your self " Oh I can't do that". In reality you don't know that until you try. It is only wood.

This is the very first one that I did, just recently. I used a #5 Skip Tooth blade on this, cut out of a 16"x12" piece of 1/4" underlay. Loved it so much, that I can't wait to do many more.

This was my first ever scroll saw project, but it needs to be explained. I have worked with my hands most of my life. Built 2 motorhomes in my earlier days, as well as various machines and/or improvements. Took a woodworking class at a trade school & built an oak desk. Time & patience mean absolutely nothing to me. The clock was cut with a $69 Performax saw from Menards. Not visible is the pedestal that made the total height about 6 1/2'. It was given as a housewarming gift to our son in Des Moines, Iowa. To you nice people that hesitate to start what looks like a challenging/difficult piece, just remember it is always 1 hole & cut at a time. It doesn't make any difference if it takes 7 months (as this did), or you start 1 or more projects per day. The amount of sawdust is the same either way. jerry

Just finished this piece.

Cut from 1/4" Red Oak.

Hello Mr. Ray!:) That is good advice, my friend! I appreciate it. My bride finally talked me into havin' the folks that look after our yard go over to the shop & do the clean up work & spray for weeds. My shop is directly across the street from our house. About 20 years ago, I hauled in 5 loads of 3\4" rock from a quarry at Windsor, Colorado for my landlord to put in his yard. They came home from Arizona that spring, and decided they were takin' out all the grass on the property, & puttin' down 3/4" rock. He had a fella with a sod cutter come in, they got rid of all the grass, & I had two loads dumped along the curb waitin' on him to get after it. Before it was over, it took 7 loads to cover his complete yard. He done it with a wheelbarrow, a shovel, & rake. As soon as he had two loads about moved, I was on the way to get him another one. I was haulin' grain at that time, & was loadin' corn here at home goin' to Greeley, CO. then went on up to Windsor, CO. & load rock on my grain wagon & bring it home for him. Now we fight the damn stickers & weeds that come up in the rocks. Thanks for the advice, Mr. Ray. Believe me my friend, I found out the hard way I ain't got the snort I used to have, but my mind is still tellin' me I do. I just have to be careful. Thank you for your worry, Sir.

Kevin the only scrollsaw related group I follow there is called Scroll saw and Woodworking I do understand what you are saying. I also do not like when some makes a post to show something it gets posted many times. Not sure why that happens but it happens alot. Annoying. Maybe that is what you are talking about. I just never paid attention to the group it comes from. On the pen turning sites everyone and their brothers is selling pen blanks they make or cut up. Too much for me. I do not stay long there.

I hope they have good customer service and help you out. I like ordering things from them. Let us know how it turns out

I don't cut anything exotic, just things that I happen to like. The star of David was the first piece I cut. It was for a little friend for Hanukkah. She could paint it. She is a beautiful Chinese little 11 year old who was born missing one chromosome. This leaves her a little slow. Perhaps like a six year old so she is in special ed. She loves little puzzles so I cut little things for her wile my wife supplies her with girly things. The second photo is more of an example of what I like to cut. I don't sell anything and my shelf is getting crowded. I'm probably the only one around here that likes them. They can be given away when there is a sale of my estate which I hope isn't soon.

Not too much scrolling involved, I mostly used bandsaw for these, but they were the very first things I cut with the scroll saw, right after I bought it. They're cut out of old weathered fence paneling, with a back cut the same size as the frame then glued/nailgun'd together.

I'll start off. This was my first project. I probably made this around 2007-ish. This was originally a pumpkin stencil that I put onto wood. Cut on birch plywood from Lowes. I don't remember if I used a spiral blade or a flat blade. But this was my maiden voyage. I wanted to get into woodworking, but woodworking can be expensive since you need so many tools. Then I discovered the scroll saw and realized I can do quite a lot with such a simple tool. And thus began my journey.

Here's a fun scroll saw challenge recommended by @wombatie Everybody was a beginner at some point. We all had to start somewhere, right? So in this scroll saw challenge, post a pic of your first project. If you don't have a pic available, post one of your earliest ones you've done. Share with us your thoughts about your progress and how you've grown in your hobby. Maybe offer a word of encouragement for those new to the hobby. It'll be fun to see where we all started and remember our scroll sawing genesis.

Hi, I'm recently retired from a mechanical engineering career and have had a lifetime passion for making things, usually with metals. Now I prefer to use wood as it's a whole lot cleaner, it smells nicer and I find the processes involved are far more relaxing. The mechanical interest hasn't left me all together, indeed I bought a scroll saw to make wooden gears for drawing machines, but I'm keen to explore all aspects of the hobby.

A few quick ones. The cross and quilting ones are Sue Mey patterns modified. They are supposed to be free standing but made them hangers instead and reduced the cross 25%. The Better Together and Scrollsaw workshop are Steve Good patterns also modified. The cross, quilting one and Scrollsaw workshop are cut in more reclaimed wood. The Better Together is bolivian mahogany with 1/8 BB ply backer. Jeff

I haven't even touched a scrollsaw for around a year. I have no idea what made me think I could cut something today with any skill. I would be cutting a nice straight line and all of a sudden the blade would take of in a direction of it's own choosing. It's almost as if a gremlin was periodically bumping my elbow. Now that I think about it it would of made a whole lot more sense to practice on something easy instead of something I wanted to give as a gift. Sorry about tis post, I just had to vent somewhere and I thought you folk would understand.

Brad, someone famous once said "a man has to know his limitations". I think it might have been Clint Eastwood. Whatever. The gist of it all is what matters. Until you are back to 100%, don't try to do the things that you used to take for granted. If a tree branch is lying on the ground, let it lay. It won't cost anything to let it stay there for a while. Do what is important. Keep yourself and your wife happy and healthy. Everything else can wait. JMHO!

Scrollsaw Squawk is pretty decent too.

By posting it, I was in essence seeking to hear if others had had similar encounters before. And some did post of issues and that they were quickly resolved, so that made me feel good that it would likely be handled by Vistaprint, which it was.

I agree with you 100% JT... also... something really annoys me with the FB groups.. I'm on several of the groups.. of those groups there seems to be many others on the same groups.. and some will post a finished product to every group they are on.. which fills up my news feed with page after page of the same posting but to a different group.. I know I could stop following most of the groups but then I miss things that doesn't get posted on "All " of the groups.. Not sure if what i said make sense to you all but.. anyway.. It's a big reason I pretty much un-followed most all the groups... either they are dead ones.. or two or three members posting the same things on several different groups that sort of spams all the others that are members of all those same groups.. This is why I asked the question.. what is a good group to join.. I plan on thinning the ones down that I'm on.. and sticking to just a couple of the more active ones.. and try to eliminate all the clogging of the same postings.. on different groups.

I am glad they are making it right. That was a great response from them. I would have contacted them first and given them a chance to make it right before posting it on a public forum.

They are making it right... I received this email overnight (1:10am to be precise). Well done Vistaprint. ==== Dear Scott, I apologize if the business cards you received was too dark. Allow me to check this for you. I did my investigation and checked the image that you sent, I have verified that it was our error and we take full responsibility. The mistake was due to machine error that should have never happened. I would love to make this right for you as we do value your business. I went ahead and processed a free replacement of your business cards. Your new Order number is scheduled to arrive on or before July 16, 2018. You may also have the option to review the details of the replacement on your Vistaprint account by clicking Order History. A separate email confirmation will be sent as your reference, you will not be required to return the business cards as we value your time and effort. I appreciate you gave us a chance to fix it for you. We don't wish anything but the satisfaction you get with our products and service. Sincerely Mel Customer Care Specialist

I've been quite busy and haven't posted much on here.. or actually haven't really been on here much other than a couple quick glances every now and then.. Chevy Nova and the 57 Chevy Wagon are a couple custom orders from last week.. rest is stuff I had but sold last week.. Hoping everyone is enjoying their summer and getting lots of saw time in.. Thanks in advance for your likes and comments.... as this week is already starting out busy so I'm probably not going to get much time to get on here..

Love the Clocks I had a 74 Nova when the Wife and I were dating. All your work is Fantastic!!

Hello Mike! I completely understand what you're saying. I've been out of my shop since December. I had two heart attacks & a lung embolism, and man, it has just flat taken the fire out of me. I've finally been released by both my Sawbones. They said I passed the their physical requirements, and my meds are all on track. But we had a nasty hail storm here 3 weeks ago, broke alot of windows around town, destroyed acres of wheat in the county. Around my shop, it looked like a bunch of monkeys stripped the trees and let the leaves and branches hit the ground! I was cleaning up some of that mess, it was nearly 100* that day. And I over did it. We spent 3 hours in the ER that evening with severe chest pain, the works. I took a chewin' out from My Sawbones. She told me I couldn't do that anymore. So, now I'm trying to keep my bride off her legs until she has knee surgery in a couple weeks. It seems like life just throws one horseshoe after another at us. Keep your chin up, Mike. Your skills will come back to you before ya know it, my friend. God Bless.

I have been lending myself to as much time as I could possibly give my scroll saw, for the purpose of getting much better on it. This Dewalt DW788 has quickly moved into the top spot of my woodworking tools. I've done some things in 3/4" stock (pine and poplar), as well as a fair bit of 1/4" plywood sub flooring, that we had left over from a flooring project. Thus far, I have only used two types of blades. One, has been the #5 Skip Tooth blade. And the other has been a #5 Spiral Blade. I'd tried my hand with some pattern cutouts, in the 1/4" plywood - which didn't fare too bad with the Skip Tooth blade. However, I was quite dissatisfied with the cut of the Spiral Blade. It is to my understanding (from what I've gained on the internet) that Spiral Blades will never equal the clean cutting of other blade types, owing to their teeth design. But I am also finding that many scrollers LOVE using them. I really like the fact that cuts - with the Spiral Blades - can be made without so much of the stock movement, which is required with the usage of other blades. I have another project that I wish to do, which will have a good number of internal cuts to be made, and I would hope to be able to do so without having to call upon my mini files, and folded sandpaper by which to even out/clean the cut lines. I also wonder if the TYPE of plywood I had used was the biggest factor attributing to what resulted. Would Baltic Birch plywood make much of a difference in things? Advanced thanks to all. God Bless, Nathan

Super job Kevin Duke

Facebook is too hard to follow. Not like a forum like this. Alot more personal here if you ask me. Maybe good for selling supplies but not projects for sure. I go to a few pen turning ones and one minute a post is there and next you have to look for it. Not my cup of tea.

I'll have to look into some of these.. Thanks for sharing the info..

Having owned a commercial printing plant I would not print business cards. I ordered from Vistaprint hundreds of times. For everyone in the plant and all sales eople. Never had a bad order. I will be very surprised if they do not make good for you.

Iggy keep us posted. I have used them in the past and they have always been spot on. I need to reorder soon so I will be watching a waiting. Anyone can make a mistake but a good company will fix them hassle free.

The tube holes mark this as an EX 21". Still has the blade guard on, so probably not used by a avid scroller, though who knows. Looks like it could be a good deal for someone in that area. ---Randy

I'm pretty sure they will set you straight... I had an issue several years ago ( don't even remember what the issue was now ) and they sent me a whole new batch..

There is not a heck of a lot I can add to the advice and opinions already given - but I might add that you would find it helpful to take a sacrificial chunk of plywood - thickness your choice - and simply cut the same pattern with different blades - then make your assessment. I am one of those that is a big fan of spiral blades - but recognize that flat blades have an important place that cannot be duplicated by a spiral blade .... Jay

Very nicely done on all of them. edward

To the respondees, I thank you so much for your input. Yes, I have found that Spiral blades do not give that 'finessed' cut of flat blades, but (and again) they do reduce the swiveling of some wood pieces that I'd be cutting into. As suggested, I am going to go out and invest in some smaller numbered blades - and invest in a bunch (since 'smaller' is more than likely to translate into easier breakage). Thanks.

Very nice cuttings

Great job Jeff on all

Nice work thanks for sharing

I'm just glad to hear it was that and not some life threatening illness or such. We all have times when we have to set aside our hobbies in order to attend to what life throws at us. My interests seem to find many ways to deviate also. And there is my wife too.

Agree with the comments already given. Use a smaller spiral blade and better grade plywood and you will get better results. However, it is true that spirals will not cut as cleanly and smoothly as straight blades. They work well on thinner plywood, because the roughness of the cut edges isn't as noticeable as it would be on thicker wood. I prefer spirals for portrait style cutting, but that's about it. Portrait patterns lend themselves well to using spirals, but straight blades work better for traditional fretwork type projects, IMHO. Cutting straight lines and precise, sharp inside corners is much more difficult with spirals.

I agree with Fred. A number 5 spiral is way to big for thin stock. Go with a 2/0 or a 1. I never cut one piece of 1/8" or 1 /4" plywood or solid. A single piece is more prone to break out.

Different plywood cuts vary in results. Baltic birch is a good choice for scrolls aw projects . Spiral blades will make more fuzziness than straight blades. A#5 spiral is a huge blade for 1/4 ply. I use #2/0 or 1 for that thickness. I use a backer for almost every project I use a spiral on. 1/8 ply works great . If the backer has to many fuzzy it's designer firewood. This helps but will not completely eliminate the fuzz but will reduce it on the top copy. Fredfret

I am cutting 3 pieces of 1/8 in walnut using a Flying Dutchman #3 blade. As to why it has taken me so long to get back to cutting all I can say is I have other hobbies also and life was messing with me

Well seeing as this was my idea I had better show you my first 'project. As you can see it was a small one. My husband had just got himself a scroll saw and I had asked how it worked, he showed me and I was off cutting 'straight' and squiggerly lines. The next week I came across a book of patterns by Patrick Spielman and I loved the penguin, so off I went. I did a couple of others that day, a Scotty dog which I gave to a Scottish girlfriend (she's still got it) and a cat will a ball but unfortunately that disintegrated into about 6 pieces when it fell off the fridge. My little penguin still sits on the fridge and he is 19 years old now. I did some woodburning on him as you can see still no better at it. Marg

Many factors can cause that and grain direction is a big one and if the grain is a hard grain it will steer the blade.

Yes that can happen but the skills are still there just have to reinstruct the body parts to do what the brain says once more.

Well this is not really my first, scroll project, don't really remember what my first was but this one of my very early ones. It is the first Cigar Box Guitar I made, only I didn't have a cigar box at the time so I made the box and scrolled the two eagles in the top for decoration.

Fun Topic!! This isn't my first, but the earliest that I found on my facebook page. I noticed some of my early work in my mom's boxes as she moved over the weekend, I'll see if I can find something earlier.

The good news is that the skills will all come back to you much faster than it took to gain them in the first place. Keep plugging away.