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A friend of my mums has had to move into a care home sadly dementia has taken over, she has a framed drawing of a dog Cindy she owned years ago so I decided to see what I could come up with for her, I have included the original pic, my re-draw, the finished artwork and finally the cut Gordon

By far, what I wish that I had known as a newbie is that there is an incredible wealth of helpful information, tutorials, patterns and amazing, helpful people right here in Scroll Saw Village. I mean, really, everything you need to get going and keep going is all here. My best advice...explore this website! Then get a piece of plywood and start cutting. Don't forget to ask questions on here whenever you need help. You will get great answers by skilled crafts men and women.

The pattern is by Sue Mey and purchased from her website except the little handle is a Diana Thompson compound cut pattern. It is 5" high and 8" in diameter. I used 1/4" Baltic Birch plywood and cut on the Pegas Scroll Saw using #1 MGT blades. Comments welcome.

#1 by far, don't get frustrated when things don't go your way. #2 I have to second what Kris Martinson said. I have learned so much from this site and I can't believe how many great friends I've met and made here on SSV. I did watch some Youtube videos just to witness technique but the overall wealth of information that is here is just fantastic. I have asked a ton of goofy questions but at the time, I felt that they were important. At least to me. I have gone clear back and re-read everything that I posted or asked and I wish there was a way to delete a bunch of them. I'm actually embarrassed when I read them now. #3 Also , don't get in a buying frenzy on blades. Buy a couple of sizes of one brand and get used to them. After you gain some experience, you'll then have the knowledge of what to look for in a blade. There are so many to choose from that it gets expensive just to have a bunch of blades in a holder that may never get used.

We are heading into a political season here in the US. I'm sure it's not surprising to you that politics is a seriously divisive topic. I just want to remind everybody that political discussions and debates are not allowed on SSV. Politics is the quickest way to ruin friendships we've tried so hard to create. If you want to ruin friendships, Facebook is the place you want. If you want to talk about making sawdust, SSV is the place to be. Here are a few things that ARE NOT allowed: Inflammatory patterns/cuttings Political soapboxes discussions Political hot-button topics Political Jokes/Cartoons Political Internet Memes "I can't believe..." discussions. (c'mon...you know it when you see it) Here are a few things that ARE allowed: Respectful cuttings Respectful portraits Respectful patterns (seeing a theme here?) This certainly isn't an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea. Here are the rules regarding politics and religion found in the User Guidelines: If you have a question regarding the appropriateness of a pattern, cutting, or discussion, let me know. If you see anything that you feel is inappropriate, please flag it and a moderator will take a look. More Scrolling! A political platform I can stand by.

When I started scrolling, I had no idea where to buy blades. I was buying them at the local hardware store and paying about $6/dozen, which was even more expensive 25+ years ago, than it is now. Subsequently, I tended to push blades well past their useful lifespan. The blade either snapped, or generated so much smoke, I couldn't see the line. It was a revelation to me, when I joined a scroll saw club and discovered mail order and internet sources for blades at half the price and 10 times the selection.

After posting this in another thread, I realized this is perhaps one of the best things I learned here in this forum, so thank you to you all for the support and help you've given me... Tip #1 n reference to cutting on or off the line... Tip #2 I wish I found this site sooner! Spend as much time as you can on this site and don't be afraid to ask questions. The people here are perhaps the most welcoming, friendly and helpful I've ever encountered on any forum website! Tip #3 If this is a hobby, treat it as such. It can be an expensive hobby if you let it get out of control. Buy things you need (tools, wood, accessories) as you need them instead of all at once. And most of all... HAVE FUN!

I really started enjoying and improving my scrolling after someone one here gave me this advice.... so simple.... "relax, drop your shoulders and breath normal." It worked for me... Thank you, whomever wrote that several years ago.

What Octoolguy said!

This is a Jacob Fowler pattern. It stands 9" high and 8" wide. I used 1/2" Red Oak and 3/4" Mahogany for the base. Cut on the Pegas Scroll Saw using #3 MGT blades. The finish is spray Polyurethane Clear Satin. Comments welcome.

It may be a bit interesting this year, but I'm ready. Wanna buy a puzzle? I made sure the biohazard suit matches my banners. It's the details that matter.

I would have liked to know more about picking out a good saw to start with. I purchased a saw from Lowes and took it home and tried to use it, what a piece of junk, took it back. I had sent Steve Good an email about scroll saws and he recommended the DeWalt 788, so I purchased one of those and that has turned out to be a good decision. It would have been nice to have a better understanding of blades. I began using the blades from Lowes, not the best quality, but they got me going, since I have purchased the Pegas scroll saw blades, the are a whole lot better quality, and much sharper (http://www.scrollsawbladespatterns.com/pegasblades.htm). You have to be more careful using a sharper blades as it is so easy to cut into the wrong area of the pattern, and that is another thing I wish I understood more, blade control or controlling the piece of wood. You should also know that cutting thinner wood the blade cuts easier and so controlling the piece is crucial. As some of your blades become less sharp as you are cutting lets say 1/2" or 3/4" you can use those to cut 1/4" or 1/8". Another thing I wish I knew was more about blade tension, not using the right tension can cause your blades to break, nothing like when you break a blade. I have only been scrolling myself for two years now, getting better at and still learning. The biggest thing is to get started and as Steve Good will tell you go make some sawdust. The Scrollsaw Village website is filled with resources so use them and have fun.

On tip I received, keep your first project and hang it on the wall of your shop. A visible evidence of your progress.

If you start to make silly mistakes stop an take a break. Or wait until tomorrow to work on it. When I retired from railroad an started into woodworking I was still in the mindset that I only have so much time to work on the project.

Start with easy patterns and see how fast you improve, take it slow and enjoy your progress. Understand that the reason the blades wants to go to the right of the line is because they are sharpened on the right end side only. More tension is always top priority. Must wear good face mask, protect your lungs, have a good ventilation system in your shop.

Our last scroll saw challenge, it was fun to see where we started and where we are now. It was a great reminder that we were all newbies once-upon-a-time. Anytime we start a new hobby, it is super easy to get overwhelmed and we don't know where to begin. So, this month's challenge is about helping our new friends get into the hobby of scroll sawing. What did you you wish you knew when you were getting started? It can be a tip, a recommendation, a guide, reference, videos, inspirational story, or whatever. This is for folks who are new to scrolling. So be as descriptive and helpful as you can. Bonus points for illustrations/pictures....double extra points for a video demonstrating what you're talking about.

Not sure if you remember but around November December last year my husbands EX16 started knocking and we had no idea where it was coming from. After the New Year we started looking again till in the end we gave up. Anyway on Saturday we were talking to a fellow who gave us an address to take it to, well in less than 24 hours and lots of grey hair latter he found what the course was..........it was the bellows. Yes that's right. When the arm came down the bellows were suctioning down and banging when releasing when the arm was coming up. Now Terry's saw is quieter than mine. Thanks for all of your help and suggestions, we did appreciate them. Marg

A Sam Custodio pattern that I must confess I'll probably never do again. This has taken a while as I had to walk away every few 'strips' as it made my eyes go funny, but I was determined to finish it. It's just off the saw so no backer or finish on it yet.

1. Any cuts on the scrap side of the line are not mistakes. 2. Any cuts off the line are "artistic interpretations". 3. Make sure what is in the spray can is what you intend. Clear lacquer and black gloss come in VERY similar cans. 4. Most important--have fun; don't get hung up on details; don't be afraid to fail--and remember to laugh as you sail those failures into the burn pit.

I wish I knew about Steve Good sooner. When I started 3 years ago I didn't know what a scroll saw was let alone how to use it. If I were to tell anyone if you get a saw learn everything about that saw, how it is put together, what parts move and how to keep it all greased up. It will save you alot of time trying to troubleshoot an issue or noise. Another thing is I wish I found out about Pegas blades long before I messed around with the Big Box Olsen blades.....what crummy cutting I did.....lol. I love spirals and wish people would try them out to see if they like them, I am a weird one and use both flat and spirals. And most importantly never give up, the first one might look like you cut with your eyes closed, but if you cut that same pattern 20 times, the 21 will look perfect.....or good enough by most standards.....I hope to help bring the love of this type of woodworking to young kids and hopefully make it enjoyable for them to take up.

I don't know if I qualify as I started in Oct last year, but I was handed a scroll saw, some blades and was told I know this works. No idea how old the saw was, or even how to operate it. I had to learn blade changes, which blades to use and for what. I found a great community site (this one) and expanded my horizons. Like many above me, I went local for blades and bought just about every blade in town. I took the advice of many of slowing down when cutting, good lighting, comfort when scrolling, or in my case, as comfortable as I can be. I have the first item I made sitting in the living room so I can always look at how far I have made it in a short time. I upgraded my saw and while it was a gamble in what I bought, it worked out great and I love this saw. I am still learning what works for me. There are a lot of knowledgeable strollers that have done it for a combined one million years, but everybody works a scroll saw differently. After about five months, I ran into someone that I associate with at work while getting supplies at Lowes. Turns out, she just bought a scroll saw and is trying to learn the craft. I offered what I could for a brand new person. As we perform our duties and we have a chance, I talk with her to see how she is doing and offering advice for her to overcome her challenges. I am trying to pass on what I have learned from both conversation and actually figuring it out on my own. Hendo

I use the bottom of a shop vac that the motor died on. Already has the casters on it and with the 20 foot hose I have I can roll it anywhere in the shop. I am using the DD. So if your vac ever dies it has another use.

A good, comfy chair makes long scrolling sessions easier. A good magnifying lamp makes seeing the pattern and blade so much easier. The thinner the wood, the thinner the blade and lower the blade speed. Thicker wood = larger blade = higher speed. Spirals can be fun! There's absolutely no rush. Love the sound of a blade running through wood!!! Every project, no matter how daunting it seems, is nothing more than one-hole-one-cut. Some merely have more holes than others. NEVER end a cut on the tip of a delicate piece unless you're willing to risk losing that piece.

I wish I would have known that some/allot of wood is toxic and can actually harm you. I also wish I knew that Baltic Birch/plywood has some nasty glue/chemicals that is harmful to your health. I always thought you just wore a mask if you were allergic to the wood. I hated those dusk masks as it always fogged up my glassed. I had no idea some woods were actually harmful and no clue plywood was harmful. When I signed up to this site a little over a year ago is when I learned of all these cool colors of natural wood people were using in their intarsia. So naturally I couldn't wait to try some out. Luckily I didn't work with too nasty, but wish I knew about the dangers before cutting that wood. Now I wear a respirator when doing any work. Just wish I knew how important it was sooner.

Well in that case, I’ve always been prepared!

I'd also like to followup....dealing with political posts, either explicit or subtle jabs, is my LEAST favorite chore in running SSV. If anything, please make my life a little easier and refrain from politics. It will really help my stress levels.

My pal just bought her wee girl her first pony so I thought what does every wee girl need? A horsey dream catcher above her bed so I took bits from the pattern library and drew the pony's head and put it all together, see what you think Gordon

You're going to screw it up and it's going to be during your last cut or sanding. Just take a deep breath and enjoy making another one.

planeur, I like his sanding jig design. The one I made was a quick "down and dirty" as I didn't have a lot of time to build the clock for the article. If I do another I will certainly build something like this jig. Ray, all clocks have their challenges, I have built three. The first was a weight and pendulum driven, I hung it on the dining room wall, the other side of it is our bedroom. My wife came in and said to come listen to the clock. the wall was acting like an amplifier. The clock went to Fox Chapels office. The Second clock was the "Flying Pendulum" clock, it is spring powered. A fascinating clock to watch but a challenge to build. The third was the "Electromagnetic clock. it is battery powered. and the easiest to build in my opinion as the gears don't mesh. But it also has some challenging bits. They all require patience and precision. But having said that, the first time you see one you built running is incredibly satisfying.

I just found the web site of the sanding jig of Ronald Walters, for the wheels, and that I will put on my Ridgid sander. Thanks a lot Ronald planeur

Yes, thanks Travis. I know I'm the biggest offender. I'll try to watch myself a bit closer. Maybe we need another icon that is a slap to the side of the head just for me. Sorry everybody.

Well, just to see what the difference would be I did another 'cat' on my scrollsaw to compare it to the one I did with the router. Now bearing in mind this is only the second time I've used the router and the first time I've tried something this intricate I don't think it turned out. too badly. The wood quality is vastly different because of my 'mishap' with sanding the routered piece. My first love is my scrollsaw that's for sure but I think I'll keep doing stuff with the router as I find it quite fascinating to see what can be done with it.

I'm designing an entertainment center for the house and thought about incorporating some scroll work into it but not sure what or IF I should even do. Part of me is thinking of using any of the trivets I found in the pattern library for the area directly behind each drawer handle. Additionally, a person I knew suggested incorporating something into the top of the structure which again, I'm trying to figure out if I should or even what I can use. I also don't want whatever I do to look out of place so I'm not decided. Would anyone be willing to provide their thoughts or recommendations? Here's my current design using either White Oak or Maple. The center is 100" wide by 65" tall and 16" deep. Entertainment Center by Scott Baker, on Flickr

Not sure I understand what you are describing. Can yo post pictures?

Thank you Gordon. Yes, I must admit that halfway through this I did question my sanity for starting it I found the secret was lots and lots of tape !! Every couple of lines, I kept the cut outs in place with tape and in the end you could see nothing but tape.... it could have been King Kong under there and you'd never know.!! I then sanded the back side before I took the tape off as I didn't want any 'bits' to go pinging across the shop

Just finished unclamping this family tree this morning. Wasn't sure a pattern could be made of this but Don in Brookline came through again. Thanks Don for being able to do this for me. I hope I gave it justice. THis is a surprise for my granddaughter. Don, I even cut out the little white spots.

Chisel out some time, you will NOT be disappointed. Or, scrape together about 2 minutes, hit his site, and sign up for his newsletter. Nifty tips and a (FREE!!!) pattern every day. So even if you can't get to his site, you can still view the pattern on a cellphone or a quick email check after work. You may not end up cutting every pattern he sends, but I guarantee you you'll find some that tickle your fancy and maybe lead you to try different things. I just cut his Heart jewelry box, and used some of his design elements to make a similar one in a yin-yang pattern....only to find out he's got one like it (with a lift-off lid, not the swing-out sides) on his site already. LOL

I would not go to so much effort to do that of a celebrity but I love the concept and you did an amazing job with it. I would love to have patterns like that for portraits of family or my dogs. It is really neat.

Excellent work and I can see why it took so long. Patience is not only admirable, but produces exquisite results.

Beautiful clocks Rolf , I am not yet there , but it's coming slowly but surely ! Question: how do you make the hour numbers on your clocks ? Have a good day! planeur

Very nice work !

scrappile, i wonder if increasing the hose diameter would make a difference.

Marg, Did you replace the bellows?

Yep I stopped and grabbed an extra bottle of Buffalo Trace today myself.

Nicely Done Gordon!

Excellent work Gordon, once again. She will enjoy looking at it. Marg

Lazy Daze isn't until August, but Spring Daze is April 25th, so I'm hoping this bug runs its course by then.

As a Pegas dealer, I would obviously recommend the Pegas Scroll Saw. With that said, I have a DeWalt and an EX21. Both still running fine. I added the Pegas Chuck Heads to the EX 21. What an improvement. The Pegas demo saw is in our store and that has now been my go to saw.

My wife like the cross country skiing.. I've never really tried it.. More of a bicyclist myself.. riding is quite interesting in the snow though.. when i was younger it didn't stop me much... neither did the cold.. but now.. I just ride on nicer days.. In my younger days it was almost a daily thing to get up early and ride all day.. not come home until dark.. and do nothing but ride all day long.. Dad put a odometer / speedometer on my bike because he always thought I was just hanging out at friends houses.. when he seen it was nothing for me to be doing 100 - 150 miles a day on my bike.. nobody could believe it.. Then when I got a drivers licence I still rode my bike to work (8 miles ) at the lumber mill work 8-10 hours stacking lumber coming off the mill or making pallets and then ride home.. These days.. I could do it still.. but I might not do it again for several days.. back then it was every day, LOL Enjoy you skiing.

What a great project. Very nice cutting. Don is a dynamite pattern designer. Kudos to both of you.