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My introductional first post. Hello fellow wood butchers, A little about me: My name is Gene Howe. I'm a retired speech pathologist living the dream, for the past 50 years in rural southern AZ. Close to Tucson but, too close. We're transplants from IL. Married to Phyllis (Phyl) whose been putting up with me for 51 years. We have twin sons, and 3 grandkids. I've been a wood butcher for 50 years. In April, I'll be 81 years young. My motto is "You must grow old but, there's no reason to grow up." Consequently, If it ain't fun, I avoid it. Life's too short to be bored. My tools include two Shopsmiths with their bandsaws, A DeWalt 13" planer, various hand planes, lots of Japanese hand saws, and a plethora of clamps. In my younger years, I used to build cabinets, desks, beds and tables on commission. I learned that to earn a small fortune in woodworking, you must first start with a large fortune. Unfortunately, I had neither. So, for the past 25 years + or -, I've only built what I wanted to. Mostly boxes, small tables and, toys. No more big stuff! Living here, we have ready access to, what has become my favorite wood, Mesquite. Although, In our trips back to IL, I manage to load the pickup with walnut and maple. I will have a DeWalt scroll saw this June. My BIL is giving it to me as his interests have changed. He's in IL. Long trip. Gotta take out a second mtg to buy the gas. In the distant past, before I retired, I owned a little Delta scroll saw and really enjoyed using it. I understand that the DeWalt is a much better saw. If it's build quality is anything like their Planer, I'm sure I won't be disappointed. I'm really anxious to start scrolling again. I'm really happy I found y'all and hope to be a regular poster, here. Probably with lots of questions.

Hi,i bought a scroll saw because I like woodworking a n d im stuck at home.i was going to retire next year but but ill most likely have to work a few more years. im interested in making signs or holiday things with lettering but also like the idea of shawdow boxes with lights inside them.im new to this so any help would be great .thank you....oh I bought a dewalt 788

Bob here. Just joined -- otherwise why would I be posting this? I've had my scroll saw (DeWalt 788) for a little over a month. About $2100 later (I didn't have any decent tools or bits or blades or a router or anything) I've almost completed a two year quest for a box for my scotch glass (a Glencairn glass if you you know about these kinds of things). Just could never find one that fit the way I wanted. Had little or no idea what I was doing a month ago. Still have no idea, but I almost have a box made. I live in a little town in New Mexico, so just about anything I need I have to order, or make a pilgrimage to Albuquerque. Right now I'm waiting for a 1/16" die cutting bit. Need to make some thin slots in the lid to insert magnet 'waffers' into that will mate up with magnet 'rods' sticking out a bit from the top of the body of the box. Making those slots with anything less than a 5/64" drill bit didn't work too well. The waffers are 1/32" thick, and the lid is only 1/4" thick bubinga, so I don't want the slot to be too big. These new bits are for cutting sideways through metal, so that might help. We'll see. If this works it will be time to start gluin' and screwin'. Cutting the foam to cradle the glass has been the worst part. Did a little fooling with wood like this when I was a kid, but that was on some fan belt-driven monstrosity that my dad had with 1/4" deep blade. Couldn't make sharp turns worth a darn, but I got used to the burnt wood smell ok. He eventually made me start paying for my own blades.