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Wolf profile by Steve Good, Arrowhead design by U.S. Forest Service. 1/4 elm, FD #1 Polar blade for the interior cuts, #3 for the outside. 1 Coat thinned BLO followed by 3 coats of thinned shellac. Made three one already sold. Size 11 x 14 Stack cut all three at the same time.

Keith is great to work with, always gets me exactly what I want. 5/8" Red Oak, cut with Paga #5 MGT blades.

I keep trying to learn colorizing techniques in hopes that some day I may begin to 'get it'. Only time will tell. Dick heppnerguy

Very Different that all my others, but at first sight I knew I had to give it a try. I do like the outcome. Adding the words can after cutting the Stack of Three and finishing the one with Red. Any Comments is Always Good...............Tks Danny :+}

I just came back to this thread because I remembered I posted in here and see many have added their thoughts and Jim lets say this first, there are very good scrollers here that are basically telling you all the same thing. Time is irrelevant. This is a hobby and even if you turn into a somewhat so called business you have to be able to enjoy what you are doing or else it is not going to be fun to sit at a scrollsaw for any amount of time no matter how fast you become. As I said from your photo we can see your work is great for being fairly new to this. You will get faster believe me all those people here that say they are slow, maybe so but I will bet a month's worth of lunches that they were alot slower when first started. A good saw will help in the speed and accuracy ends of scrolling. You are not constantly fighting a drifting blade and other problems you can encounter with lesser saws. I have been sawing for over 40 years and I have had that question asked to me many times as to how long does it take and to this very day I never told anyone an hour time because I do not know and never want to know. This thing about doing for a business and having formulas that require hour rates is something I never adhered to and to this day still do not even in my new hobby of pen turning. Never have I sat down and done a piece from start to finish so hours is not known. The older we get and I am speaking for myself, more breaks are needed. I will always tell people an answer of like many hours was put into that. I gave up the idea of fighting what people think is laser cut over hand cut long ago. Today especially you see more laser cut work than ever before and will continue to grow. I know what a piece will sell for from years of experience. Running into that one person that has deep pockets is rare so just be honest and stay the course if you go into this as a money maker. I know I went off the rails abit but the bottom line is do not worry about time and just do the very best you can. The rest will take of itself. be proud of the work you are putting in front of people's eyes and you will do well. Good luck.

I made a Thing

After 6 weeks with my new hobby I was hoping to be a little faster at it. I did have some issues coming up with the correct blade to use but I'm totally embarrassed to admit it took me almost six hours to scroll this yesterday.

So here I am taking four days off from work. Last night after work, I decided to cut out a nativity scene. This is a Steve Good design that I changed slightly from 3/4 to 1/2" thick, to have a base that allows an LED tea light to go behind it. I cut the walnut one out last night (sanded the base already). My wife liked it so much that she wanted one for the house and then suggested I make some for gifts to give out prior to Christmas (usually on Thanksgiving). So this morning I stack cut the two cherry pieces. I also decided to cut out a couple of "scrap" wood-wheeled toys, each made out of two different species of wood. Also on the saw will be a larger more intricate design by Sue May, this one I am cutting out of canary wood. I will have to cut a few more of the nativities for gifts for some of the Spanish officers I work with at NATO. That's tomorrow... Then I have a 3D multi-piece Nativity set I am going to cut for my grandson. Just looking for the right design that is not "tchotchke" as my Yiddish grandmother would say. So much for taking time off huh? What all do you have on your production line for Christmas?

The black backgrounds are starting to seem a little bla... Does anyone add some color?

I bought my first scroll saw around 1996. To this day, I do not regard myself as a fast scroller. In fact, compared to a lot of other veteran scrollers I know, I'm pretty slow. I've been a member of a scroll saw club for almost 20 years. I've seen, first hand, the work of true masters. I will never be able to measure up to them in skill or accomplishment. I long ago realized that putting added pressure on myself to meet some sort of "standard" was not the way to enjoy this hobby.

I have the same saw and the same problem, but my bolt snapped. I called Ray at Seyco at there is a part he suggested that replaced the complete assembly. Not a problem since. This goes back to before he sold the Seyco scroll saws.

I had to take down a large elm in my front yard. The gentleman who cut down the tree has a band saw lumber mill. He slabbed the tree up for me, 1/2" slabs, and I air dried them in my yard. I ended up with 135, 1/2", slabs and 25 2" slabs. The largest slabs are 18 to 20" wide and 100 " long. The sawyer was not able to cut the largest section of the tree as it would not fit in the saw bed (too big).

I've taken these saws apart and rebuilt many of similar style saws.. for the life of me I have no idea what you're showing or talking about.. what number is it in this parts list?

Checking your Profile I see you live in Colorado. And given you were a High School athelete in 1958, makes you close to my age...OLD. Why the heck are you still in CO, you too could be a transplant to Florida. I'd welcome a Scoller Neighbor. I'd even bake you cookies at Christmas.

Here is my latest. A great pattern by Arpop. Piece and frame are oak and the splines for the frame are poplar.

I zoomed in on the image of your cutting and wow, did you even try to sand off the fuzzes or was the piece just too fragile? As you can see the image is copyrighted by nine-finger Jo, they are an Etsy seller out of England, Their Etsy shop is on hold right now as they are taking a break, so they cannot be asked for permissions. Someone else had the idea to add flame color to the background.

I found this B&W image on-line a while ago. There is no Artist, owner or originator listed. The image is a little different with the fire-like border and skyline at the bottom. Not sure if the Dragon is contemplating destruction or guardianship. Anyway, I converted the image into a 11” x 14” Scroll Saw Pattern and have been trying to decide whether to cut it or not for several weeks now. My lady liked the Image but, wasn’t sure the thin linges of the wings were going be seen well against the white background, so I decided to add a second color, Grey, to highlight the wings and other features of the dragon, but still be mainly a B&W presentation. The cut panel is 5/32" thk. Solid Core Birch Ply affixed to a 1/4” BB Ply Air brush painted backer. Small details were cut using a Pegas #2/0 Spiral blade while the bigger cut outs areas were done using a Pegas #1 MGT R blade. Even with the many close parallel line cuts, the cutting was easier than expected. The Panel is set into a museum style narrow, ¾” wide, rail Floating Frame that was also painted black. And as usual, the assembled panel was protected with multiple coats of Deft Clear Gloss Lacquer. I'm tempted to break my own rule of only cutting a pattern once. I think I could do wonders with some coloring...red/yellow flame border, hazy smokey Red/Orange sky background like the city is burning, maybe different color for the wings. Would be a fun project. Comments and critiques always welcome. This project was an example of efective multi-tasking. I was cutting and paintig this project while the glue and paint dried on my Halloween Lantern Project. EDIT: Pattern posted in Pattern Exchange EDIT #2: Patterns posted in Pattern Exchange have been revised and reposted.

Very well done.

My but that is very well done.

Awesome thank you all for your help. Hopefully I will be back scrolling soon

I Love this project. Looks so Original. Very well cut and Displayed. Dannyy :+}

I am shifting into Christmas mode right now too. This is today's production line. I have another 5 or 6 more nativities to do!

Plus one ....

Like everyone else said, speed does not matter. However, you have to ask what is your goal when you sit down to scroll. I am one of the really slow guys, I am the turtle... but I have been at this for a long time. I get into this zen mode and just enjoy creating, letting the process take over. My main goal is to nail my lines perfectly every time I cut. I mainly do Intarsia and multi-species wood puzzles so I am cutting each of the pieces separately and then they need to fit together as if they were cut from one piece of wood. I do not want to mess around with fine fitting, I want my pieces to fit right off the scroll saw. Thus deliberatly slow. Below is something I just got off the saw. I cut the walnut piece by itself last night and then did a stack cut on the cherry one (so there's another lurking) this morning. From start to finish it took me 3 hours to cut out just one piece and one base. Of course, I still have sanding and glue-up to do. I am waiting a 36mm Forstner bit to come in tomorrow so I can make the tea light "cup". They are small 1.25" flickering LED candles. That will sit in the little circle behind the nativity scene. I have noise-canceling earbuds, that are blue-tooth and I listen to music as I cut. I just relax and enjoy... PS to add: I looked closely at your piece. That's some damn fine cutting you did for a newbie! In particular for thin wood. Keep the same pace and relax and don't worry.. You will be just fine!

All good comments. Progress is not measured in speed, but the quality of the project. I tell new scrollers to keep their first piece and as you advance, you will be amazed at the progress.

I'm in my 80s so nothing is fast, for me. I've been scrolling about a year...off and on. Staying on the line is an obsession for me. I use a 5 diopter, head mounted magnifier, run the saw at what I think is about half speed. Lately, I've been cutting out router templates in 1/2" BB for several different toys. Most are vehicles and, only 5"-6" long. All have cut outs for windows. I'd guess it takes me 30 minutes to cut each one. Longer if there are more windows, like a bus. My saw is a DW788, outfitted with the lift kit. That thing is a life saver!

I like both. Leave the sun rays out turn it into a moon and leave it black. Might have to add a beam from the lighthouse.

Excellent cutting, RJ

It was a one piece.

So that is a factory set-up, thanks Denny for clarifying that.. Did your replacement assembly come with that same set-up or was it one piece like the newer saws.. I wonder if these older saws had this setup and if it was a problem so they made it all one piece.

First nice job on the cutting and you being only six weeks into the hobby you are doing very well. You are going about it correctly by starting with projects that are not to complicated and have nice flowing lines. This helps you understand how the saw you are using cuts and reacts to your movements. The more you saw the faster you will get believe me. It becomes muscle memory and your hands just do it. You start anticipating when turns are coming way before you get there. You become more relaxed and hey work faster and truer. Everyone goes through this as beginners. Right now i bet you are tensed as you cut and not wanting to mess up. This will all go away in time. Keep doing more projects like this you are well on your way. I bet if you did that same project again it would be less time for sure. Yes many of us could scroll that in an hour and a half probably but that is no way to gauge your progress. Faster speeds will come with time for sure. Good luck and have fun. Do not worry about the clock. That is what makes this hobby fun just relax and enjoy the ride.

awesome job

You might consider sending a email with those photos.. as well so they can see exactly what you have and what you're talking about. Here is the website, I believe there is some contact info on emailing them or also their number is listed near the bottom of the page. I'm super curious how this turns out.. I'm really doubtful it's factory like this but your story sounds as if it might be.. certainly something many of us have had these saws apart and none of us have seen anything like this yet anyway, LOL https://seyco.com/

Wise words.

I agree with Larry, enjoy the time.. I do this as a business but still take my time to enjoy the process.. IF I don't enjoy making it then I don't sell them.. I make a lot of different things as trial runs to see IF I Enjoy it and IF I can sell it reasonably priced.. IF the answer is can't sell it or don't enjoy it.. then I give it away to someone that likes it and it never sees the websites or the craft markets.. Because if it's a really hot item and I don't like making it.. then when it's seen by the masses.. they try persuading me to make more of something that I don't enjoy making.. then this fun business becomes a job!

Why are you in a hurry? Is this a hobby or business? If you keep pressuring yourself on time, it will be difficult to enjoy it. I spent a career in a very time pressed production environment and now I want to take my time.

Very nice! Great idea with the arrow head! The Elm is a pretty wood. I have never used that wood before.

Arrowheads always catch my attention. Take those and glue other projects. Make cabinent handles maybe. I tried to get a customer to have an arrowhead on my 3rd hat. But he decided no.

This is the entire upper arm assembly

This is the bolt that broke and the one pictured is the new one. However now the upper arm hits the internal housing causing vibration and obviously noise that should be

All of this is is good working order

SO, the bolt just fell out? It'd be nice to see a photo and to know exactly which bolt you're talking about. If it's what I'm thinking it is.. you likely will need a bearing and sleeve too.. and if the bolt fell out likely the sleeve did too. Not sure what bolt you're referring too though.

Is this what you tried to make (3.5" dia). I think I could cut it using a Pegas #2/0 blade. I would probably use a #2/0 Spiral. May not be able to stack cut more than maybe 2. Christmas Snowflake Ornament Pattern .125 - Good.pdf I

It looks terrific. Well done. Marg

Very nicely done. One to hang on the front room wall and be very proud of. Dick heppnerguy

Jimmy, I was in Dollar Tree today and they have the 12 inch rounds for 3.00 with hooks on back and 12 square for 3.00 . Just in case you have a need for this size.

Yes, I agree. I was hoping your wouldn't change your Dragon... very little or not at all. I do believe you will make a fantastic background....looking forward to seeing it if you do decide to go that way. mc

Can do later this AM

That is terrific Frank. Will the pattern be in the Pattern Exchange? Marg

Looks very nice. On more thing I would do. make it so the American flag it is the highest flag a little above the other two flags.