New to Scrolling

[arthurskatz]

I'm new to scrolling and so far I love it. To me it's a stress relief from a hard day's work. I'm going to visit the forum as often as possible as I know I will still have lots of questions and hope that I can get some answers. I have looked a at lot of the work displayed on the forum and wish that I was even half as good as most of what I've seen. I guess it's the learning curve I need to get used to. I'm just very impatient with my skills and ability. I'm actually disabled now and am trying to stay active and learn something that I can possibly do sitting down as I can only stand for very short periods of time. A drunk driver almost did me in. My little shop is in my garage but as I tell my wife "It's my space". If anyone has any nice & easy patterns that are real good for beginners let me know. I've subscribed to SSWC for a couple of years now in anticipation of retiring but just not this soon and not in this manner. Enough of this. I'm going back to looking at all of the wonderful work and drool for a while with envy.
Arthur

[Lois from Mississauga]

Welcome Arthur,

If you have had the SSWC magazine for a while, you should have some patterns you can start with. I have been scrolling for about a year. I started with a few simple fretwork ornaments, and then just picked a bunch of little things to work on from different magazines. Simple compound cutting, maybe an easy segmentation. With each project, it got easier.

There are a number of books out there as well which get recommended constantly from this site.

Working at the saw is a great form of therapy - just you and the saw - no physical exertion needed. I was on disability for a year and a half (just started back to work last week) and the shop was a great spot when I felt up to it. Often I like to listen to an audio book when I am doing something that takes a long time.

Even though the reason you are off is a terrible thing, take advantage of any silver lining you can (like extra time in the shop), and try to enjoy any positives you have. It will make a tough time seem much better. That is how I got through the last while with a smile.

[Mike Crosa]

Welcome. I can sympathise with you to a certain extent. I have to wear a brace for thenext two months due to a back operation and I can understand how it can be.
Enjoy the ride there are a great bunch of people here who are always willing to help. So don't be bashful.

[sawdustus]

Welcome to the best ss forum. I also like to sit while I scroll and I found the a swiveling bar stool with a back is just about right for me. Works great as long as I am not scrolling anything very large (up to about 10 inches long or wide. Any wider and it bumps into me when I am scrolling the far end. I got mine with someone down the block was throwing theirs out. Some oil and paint and it was a good as new. If you are scrolling while sitting, it is also useful to raise the back end of the saw stand an inch or two by bolting a two x four to the back legs. If you have a bench top model, just put a piece of wood under the back end of the saw. For simple projects, any of the Patrick Spielman books is a good place to start. Don't give up, we all started out as novices once. Good luck and happy scrolling

[Back2Jake]

Welcome to the group Arthur.

I am sincerely sorry to hear about your life change at the hands of a drunk driver, however, as mentioned.... I hope you can make the best of it. Scrolling is indeed a great outlet for stress, and an addictive way to spend the time. Many of us would agree, there is never enough time to cut all the patterns we wish we could.

When the shop isn't the place you want to be, remember us here. There are always members who like to "talk the talk", and others who simply will be here to listen.

I'm glad you found us.
Take care
Toni

[sgimbel]

Welcome welcome. I'm brand new 2, just got my saw Friday. This forum I have found out is a weath of information. I'm disabled too and am working out of a wheel chair. It's great to have something to look forward to instead of the frickin TV. We'll learn together. Scott in Arizona

[minowevie]

Originally Posted by arthurskatz

I'm new to scrolling and so far I love it. To me it's a stress relief from a hard day's work. I'm going to visit the forum as often as possible as I know I will still have lots of questions and hope that I can get some answers. I have looked a at lot of the work displayed on the forum and wish that I was even half as good as most of what I've seen. I guess it's the learning curve I need to get used to. I'm just very impatient with my skills and ability. I'm actually disabled now and am trying to stay active and learn something that I can possibly do sitting down as I can only stand for very short periods of time. A drunk driver almost did me in. My little shop is in my garage but as I tell my wife "It's my space". If anyone has any nice & easy patterns that are real good for beginners let me know. I've subscribed to SSWC for a couple of years now in anticipation of retiring but just not this soon and not in this manner. Enough of this. I'm going back to looking at all of the wonderful work and drool for a while with envy.
Arthur

Arthur. sorry I am late. but would like to welcom you for sure. Evie

[Huntter2022]

Welcome Arthur !! as everyone said you will find all kinds of help here .
If you cannot find it ask please surely someone will give you a answer
David

[chris39]

Welcome Arthur! It's good to know that you have found scrolling. It is, as I am sure you will find out, very therapeutic. Most of the people in here are not only loyal to there scrolling, but also to this community.

Chris

[JohnB]

G'day Arthur, and Welcome mate.
I too am retired, earlier than I would have liked.
The people on this forum have helped me through a couple of tough times, and help keep me up where I belong.

You'll learn lots and make heaps of mates.