just starting

[Roger Haberman]

HI
I'am just starting with scroll saw and wood carving, My wife wants me out of here hair. I'am trying to quite smoking and not working due to three back operations and leg problems so looking for something I cam get interested in and keep me out of wifes way.
Is there anyplace where I can get material and pattern cheap? I'am on ss so don't have much to spend.
Thanks in advance for any help and assistance
Roger

[Mike Crosa]

Hi Roger, welcome to the group. Sorry to hear of your problems but I think if you get into scroll sawing that it will really take your mind off of the pains. If you look in the left hand column you will wee a line which says Free Scroll Saw Patterns. A lot of nice things there. Also there is the group Absolutely Free Scroll Saw Patterns. Do a google on them and sign up. They have thousands of patterns available. Well maybe not thousands but certainly hundreds.

[greatdane2]

For cheap wood try looking for pallets that are being thrown away. A lot of businesses get supplies on theses 4x4' bases. and a lot are not reused. Just ask and pick some that look fairly good
Another idea is to get packing crates. These wood frames that protect machinery and tools etc. when shipped. Some of them come from Asia and their idea of cheap wood to make a crate with can be very expencive here.
Also look in Dollar stores and thrift stores for wooden boxes and cutting boards, again some are made with solid wood.
While in the thrift store look at older furniture some of it is made with solid wood as well. Sometimes it is hard to tell with furniture, just pull out a drawer and look at the bottom of the front and sides.
Going to places that use wood like kitchen cabinets, alot of them love to get rid of their waste. gone are the days when they could just throw waste away free. Now they have to pay to see it gone.
Local small sawmills, if they are cutting good wood they will cut out the knots and defects. sometimes that leaves shorter pieces that they can not sell. These shorts around here is usually western red cedar. so it depends where you live.
I hope this helps and good luck.
Alan.

[oops99]

Hey Roger,
Welcome aboard, sorry to hear about your ills, I've gone through the back surgery thing, and I know how you must be feeling, it sucks, but you have to make the most of it.
One good thing is you now have one helluva good excuse when someone asks you to help them move a refrigerator or couch
Kidding aside, also try looking in your local Liquor store, a lot of them get gift sets that hold 2 or 3 bottles of wine, and the retailer opens them and sells the bottles separately and discard the boxes. I have gotten some that I use for storage, like one for woodburning tools, stained glass tools, etc.
The boxes are made from clear grain wood which could be used for scrolling, just a thought.
Again welcome, and take care of yourself.

Tom

[JohnB]

G'day Roger,
Just following up on Tom's suggestion, Buy the plonk, drink it to ease the pain and scroll the boxes.
Best of both worlds.

Cabinet shops for their off cuts, and skips for recyclable furniture are my favourite haunts.

[SNAPPER]

Welcome aboard.
Dean