Howdy!

[GeraldNC]

Howdy from Kannapolis, NC. I'm 33, married 12 years in April, and have no kids, but plenty of animals.

Why scroll saw?

I've had a friend who's been doing scroll sawing for some time now, and I've seen the capabilities, but wasn't quite sure it was for me. I've loved wood working since childhood, took shop, but not really done anything my self other than some small carpentry around the house.

Well my wife was watching a craft show the other evening, and this guy made a box style light fixture out of stainless steel with the pattern of a surfer carrying their surfboard...of course he used a laser cutter and computer program to do it though. And then he put a sky blue marbled glass behind the pattern, and I really loved the look of it. I immediately pictured it being made from dark stained wood with the similar glass, but cut on a scroll saw

My saw:

Saturday morning, after all night thinking about that light, I got up and got on the web...here looking at saw recommendations, etc. Looked at prices at local stores, and saw the Hitachi CW-40. At first I thought about a 16" Craftsman...but they don't sound too good on here lol. I know the Hitachi is new, but the few people that have posted on here seem to like them. And I didn't have $400+ to spend on the Dewalt. On the web Lowe's had the saw priced at $179.99...affordable to me at the moment. So I went o Lowe's only to find there were none in a box. Went to the other Lowe's to find the same thing. I knew I could buy it off the shelf, but had to return to the first store, cuz the 2nd one's was broken. It was already marked down at Lowe's to $149.99, but none in a box. It was also sposed to come with a $25 gift card. Talked to a dude, got it for $120 and the $25 gift card! Sounds like a deal to me.

I've not got to cut anything yet...had to clean my workbench which had become storage lol. I did pick up a small pack of blades there at Lowe's with the intention of messing some. Placed an order today for the assortment pack from Mike's. I've got some scrap pine, and some Luan around the house to play with for now.

My goals:

Have fun! Have an inexpensive hobby that may make me a bit of money here and there...but most of all enjoy the craft. I hope to do some portraits from my own photo's and ideas. I'd like to do some hotrod/musclecar portraits for friends and to sell. I'd like to do a lot of Christian work as well. Holidays, names, maybe include it in some furniture building.

[Steviegwood]

Welcome Gerald, you are on the brink of an addiction. But dang it is so much fun and it is a stress buster. Again welcome and have some fun with you new toy. Take plenty of photos and show us your work. Steve

[Neal Moore]

Welcome aboard Gerald!! I don't know anything good or bad about your choice of saw but your choice of a hobby is dead on the mark. I don't think you could have chosen a better pass time. Scrolling is probably the most inexpensive aspect of woodworking as well as the safest and the gratification is almost instant!!! You're gonna have a ball!!!

[Wood Dog]

Welcome "a-board" GeraldNC, and come back often to tell us how you are making out with your new toy. By the way.....we love pictures too.

[GeraldNC]

Thanks folks. Don't worry, I do photography on the side too

[AKAkopa]

Welcome Gerald to a great site full of great people! Once you get that first whiff or snort of sawdust up your nose there is no turning back! Instant rush and instant addiction to a great stress buster of a hobby with the potential of making a few bucks. If you don't sell a thing you also have the gratification of being able to say "Yup, I cut that."

Good luck with the new saw (not famaliar with it as I have a Dewalt and a Dremel) and enjoy your time working with it.

[Mike Crosa]

Like all the other guys said. You picked a great hobby and a lot of fun. Welcome and enjoy the ride.

[R.Edwards]

Welcome aboard. You'll find some really nice and helpful folks here.
Remember, be patient with yourself, have fun, and CARRY ON!
Ralph

[minowevie]

Dang sounds like me. wonting to do it all. sounds like you will fit right in. glad your hear. welcome . your friend Evie

[FRETDUST]

Again welcome Gerald. Cut away.

Steve in Mi.