Hello from Melbourne, Australia, Makita SJ401

[Yeebla]

Hello everybody

I have just bought a Makita scrollsaw. I am just starting out. I joined this site today so I haven't yet looked at the goodies that all the scrollies are writing about. I found an old chest of drawers by the side of the road and took it home. I pulled out the drawers. The top wasn't big enough so I screwed a big board to it and bolted the saw to that. I sit on a chair and put my legs inside the chest where the drawers would be. It's like a bedside 3 drawer chest on legs. Seems all right, but maybe that's because I don't know what it would be like if it were bolted to a proper work bench. I do have one but I don't want have to go to the shed to use my saw. So I've got it set up in the house.

Bye for now.

[west_jim]

Welcome to the site. There are a lot of folks who will say good onya for getting the saw into the house.
If you don't use some sort of dust control however, the dust will graduate through the house.
If you want advice on the world of scrolling just post a question and lots and lots of advice will be given.
And we all just love pictures.
Jim

[guitarman]

Welcome to the site. The bestest of the best. Hey man, you live in a place that I've always wanted to visit. I probably will never get there though. I'm fascinated by so many things I know and from pictures of your country that I've seen. Please post some of your work for us to see. How do you manage to scroll in your house? I can't see myself doing that and I know my wife can't see that either. Later, David

[Ramjet]

Yeebla . Welcome to the site . If you have no vibration then the drawers should do the trick . I have an old set of drawers that I never thought of using for one of my tools . Thanks for the suggestion . David's suggestion about the dust is correct , it drifts every where . I wear a dust mask when scrolling .Your Aussie mates should have lots to say. Good luck and enjoy the site .Cheers.
Roger

[greatdane2]

You are starting out with a new saw on a chest from the side of the road, great start!
Now go out and find somemore of them , the older ones use real wood and sometimes real good wood. Welcome and I hope you learn as much as I am doing on this site.
There is no section here for stupid questions because they do not exsist. Ask away and you will get your answers, usually in the same day.
Alan.

[minowevie]

Yeebla, I did the same thing. I just wonted to see if I like this hobby first. trying to keep cost down. I would use anything , to get started. I love recicaleing. looks like you made do. proud of ya. once you have made a few cuts. and see what you are abale to do. and willing to do. you can always move up to the bench. with out fear or guilt. glad your hear. your new friend Evie

[f250]

Welcome, it is good to have you on board. Sounds to me like you've got a good start, now get that thing running and get your house all dusty. Then of course show us what you've made.

Tom

[Yeebla]

chest bench.jpg

Hello again everybody. It was lovely to get all your letters. I was very disappointed that I couldn't get to this site for two days. Nothing loaded. Was it just me or did everybody have this problem?

I think I have included a picture of my work setup. I've never been on a forum before, so I am trying to get the hang of all the lingo. The chest has a creative stencilling job on it that I had no guilt about covering and putting holes in etc.

About the dust: You can't all be wrong, but it doesn't seem to be a problem yet. When I started I assumed dust would fly everywhere, but instead it just clings to the underside of the saw. The person who recommended this model (Makita SJ401) has the same model and has a vaccuum set up, so it's not like this saw is meant to be ultra neat. I have a mini handheld vac next to me and every time I make a cut I vaccuum it up. It's kind of fun cleaning up my mess!

Ramjet, if you do use a set of drawers I would love to know how you go and how you think it compares to a proper work bench. I saw in another part of this site a fellow called MinotBob who posted a picture of a table he had made for his saw. If that doesn't vibrate too much, then mine should be all right. His picture was at Vibration Lesson Learned

By the way I remember years ago when Roger Ramjet was on television. I used to love singing the theme song.

Before I bought the scroll saw, when I was worried about the dust, I thought I might get a gigantic cardboard box, like what a stove comes in and cut out one side and have the saw mounted inside it so that all the dust would stay in there. Is this an extreme way to stay out of the shed? Fortunately I haven't needed to do that yet. I just love being inside on my chair with all my bits and pieces nearby.

I am very pleased that I have got much better at sawing to the line very quickly. At first I thought why even bother having a line. I don't have anything to show for my efforts yet though.

All the best,
Yeebla