Hi UK Newby here

[thewire]

Hi all thanKs for letting me into your lives I am 66 and Just started scroll sawing sereasly, in the past I have carved fell sticks and sheperds crooks but needed a change.I am looking to make small signs with about 2 inch lettering,what wood do I need to use and what type of blade for a nice finish?
Where can I get different alpherbet patterns from?I wondered if there was anyone from my erea who is a member here.Hull , East Yorkshire, UK

[stevebuk]

hi there
not from your part, i'm in Notts. Welcome aboard and if you follow this link it will take you to steve goods site where you can download his name creating software for FREE, it prints out in various sizes.

http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/

Enjoy this forum, loads of very helpful folks will arive soon.

[GrayBeard Phil]

Hull:

!st, Welcome the forum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

For thick wood, like 2 inches thick, you should be using blades with a design like double-skip tooth. I don't know the best place for you to get them, as you are in the UK.

However, Just an FYI for graphic reasons, look at Mike's workshop for his Flying Dutchman blades he sell in North America. (same blades are sold in EU with another brand name, IIRC)
http://www.mikesworkshop.com/
Click on blades for sale, and look for mike's XL line of blades. Just go very slow, there is a lot of wood chips that need to clear out of the kerf. Are you sure you wouldn't consider maybe a 2-by stock instead of full 2 inches? 1-1/2 inches is easier to cut.

Be aware there are other makers of High Quality Blades like Pegas (made in Switzerland) but I cannot find as good a graphic right now. IMHO, the Pegas line of 'Modified Geometry' blades would be a good choice also.

Also for 2" thick, and if you are able to afford it, think about the Diamond Scroll Saw made in the UK. VAT tax reasons, but still costly.

BTW: depending on your needs and computer application on your computer for word processing, it is very common to use the computer to print out the words and just use the Fonts as an outline printing option.

Phil

[Gill]

Depending on your proficiency with graphics programs, you might find Inkscape quite useful. It's available for free download here (it's open source software ) and you can use it to write text, then adjust the spacing between the letters (kerning) by holding down the Alt key and simultaneously pressing either the left cursor arrow (to decrease kerning) or right cursor arrow (to increase kerning). Inkscape is a very useful and powerful graphics program but its other functions can take a while to master.

For outdoor signs, I'd suggest you try oak, iroko or possibly even ipe. Be warned, though; these are tough woods and although they should prove durable, they'll be hard work to cut. You should also be aware that normal PVA adhesive isn't a good choice of glue for external projects. You'd probably be better off with some of the new-fangled specialised external adhesives that DIY shops sell nowadays.

Blades? I'd follow Phil's advice and speak to Mike Moorlach. You can also get good blades from Hobbies of Dereham, Hegner UK and Shesto. However, with the £:$ exchange rate being the way it is, I suggest you look to America for some bargains .

Gill

[minowevie]

Hi Thewire. cool name. how did you come buy that? I just wont to welcome you to the group. looks like you have got some good advice already, and as I am from the USA. I think the buyers from your country have given you better advice. but hope you stick around, glad you are here. your new friend Evie

[Huntter2022]

Welcome thewire!
You will find people from all walks of life here but we all have woodworking in common,for blades Mike is the man to see , there are other brands of blades also .
David

[Mike Crosa]

Welcome to great group.

Mike C

[Pajaro]

Welcome thewire, I guess I'm classified as being in your erea, as far as lettering goes. If you have a PC with Microsoft Word, there are several different fronts that can be printed out in any size that will fit on 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch paper. That's what I use. Print some out and see what you can come up with. Some fronts don't work well. Good luck and welcome again.

[Joana Ricardo]

welcome Thewire!
I'm from Madeira, that´s at least EU...it makes us almost neigbours!
Joana

[3_M]

Here is a good forum in the UK:

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/

Phil,
I don't only sell in North America but to many countries outside N.America. Gill can tell you about that. Besides her, I have many customers in the UK.

Mike