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Hi from Skokie, IL

My name is Spence. I am a general dentist by day and I make sawdust as a hobby.

I began about 8 yrs ago. My first project was a cradle for my first grandchild and, even though cradles aren't large, it convinced me that I need to focus on smaller projects. So I make things less than an arm's lenth in size. I have a small shop and benchtop tools: band saw, table saw, drill press, router table, scroll saw, and assorted sanders, flex-shaft tools, etc. Since my band saw is too small to make band saw boxes, I began using the scroll saw as my main tool. I used a Black & Decker for a few years, then tried a Delta but it was defective and the store didn't have a replacement so I traded up to a DeWalt. I acquired a Hegner but didn't care for it at all, and I now use an RBI Hawk but I don't care for it much, either. One day soon I'll probably go back to the DeWalt... if I could, I'd design a better blade holding system for it.

After many years of scrolling I got a little bored with "flat" projects but I'm not interested in intarsia... I've been into more 3D things lately. I made some shells and a seahorse. Both of those begin with the scroll saw and then involve a lot of power carving to shape them. The results are very different from what is being shown in the scrolling magazines.

I belong to several forums as I enjoy seeing what others are doing in their shops and I'm always looking for ideas and tips. I couldn't enjoy this hobby as I do without the generosity of the many people who have shared their knowledge on the net. I hope I can make a contribution here.

Spence

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Site AdminPermalink Reply by John Morris on January 14, 2012 at 10:57pm

Well I think your going to make some fine contributions here Spence, and I hope you do! We love participation here and we love havin ya. Thank you so much for your introduction and the little peep you gave us into your shop. After all that you still like the good ol Dewalt!!! Nice, now that says allot for the Dewalt scrollers. As I said before Spence, let me know if we can help ya get around here, lookin forward to more posts from you and photos if ya gottem!

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

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Site HostPermalink Reply by Ron Dudelston on January 15, 2012 at 4:24am

Spence, as a neighboring Hoosier, it is a pleasure to welcome you to The Patriot Woodworker. There are are sorts of really great folks here with all sorts of skills so sit down and join in. Again, welcome aboard.

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

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Site AdminPermalink Reply by John Moody on January 15, 2012 at 5:54am

Spence, welcome aboard and thank you for the great introduction. We are happy you are here and hope you will jump in and make yourself at home. I look forward to seeing some of the fine projects you have. Please feel free to post pictures as we, like you like to see what others are doing. Hope you enjoy the site and check in often.

John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

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Master CarpenterPermalink Reply by Mike Dillen on January 15, 2012 at 7:02am

Welcome Spence! You've come to the right place. The folks here are helpfull and very talented and they give free advice, all you need is ask. I own a scroll saw but haven't used it but once but after seeing Greg's post "Cat or Mouse" it stired my interest in giving the scroll saw another go. I look forward to seeing your work.

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Master CarpenterPermalink Reply by Allen Worsham on January 15, 2012 at 7:13am

Welcome Spence!

Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

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ApprenticePermalink Reply by Spence Bloom on January 15, 2012 at 10:29am

Allen,

I visited your website... you make some very nice cutting boards/trivets and I like the practicality of the "knock-down rocking chair".

Most of what I make is for gifts and donations for fundraisers... I intend to make some of the geometric patterned cutting boards this year... and I have 10 grandkids so I'm interested in a reference to find the rocking chair pattern.

Allen Worsham said:

Welcome Spence!

Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

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ApprenticePermalink Reply by Spence Bloom on January 15, 2012 at 10:43am

Thanks for the welcome, John. I visited your website and I was impressed with the quality furniture you make.

I've posted some pics of things I've made recently... all scroll saw works.

Spence

John Moody said:

Spence, welcome aboard and thank you for the great introduction. We are happy you are here and hope you will jump in and make yourself at home. I look forward to seeing some of the fine projects you have. Please feel free to post pictures as we, like you like to see what others are doing. Hope you enjoy the site and check in often.

John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

▶ Reply

ApprenticePermalink Reply by Spence Bloom on January 15, 2012 at 11:07am

John Morris,

Yes, in the end the DeWalt has some features that I miss on the other two... but none of the scroll saws I've used have satisfactory blade holders. I think the DeWalt is overpriced for what you get. The Hegner and RBI are just not conducive to fret work... and they are waaaaay overpriced for what you get (although the 26" capacity of the RBI is huge and is worth something... the Hegner has zero to justify its high price, IMHO.) (further commentary belongs in some other discussion area)
I posted some pics of some of my more recent projects.

Spence

John Morris said:

Well I think your going to make some fine contributions here Spence, and I hope you do! We love participation here and we love havin ya. Thank you so much for your introduction and the little peep you gave us into your shop. After all that you still like the good ol Dewalt!!! Nice, now that says allot for the Dewalt scrollers. As I said before Spence, let me know if we can help ya get around here, lookin forward to more posts from you and photos if ya gottem!

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

▶ Reply

ApprenticePermalink Reply by Spence Bloom on January 15, 2012 at 2:50pm

Thanks for the welcome, Ron. I appreciate it.

Ron Dudelston said:

Spence, as a neighboring Hoosier, it is a pleasure to welcome you to The Patriot Woodworker. There are are sorts of really great folks here with all sorts of skills so sit down and join in. Again, welcome aboard.

Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

▶ Reply

ApprenticePermalink Reply by Spence Bloom on January 15, 2012 at 3:06pm

Mike,

Thanks for the welcome... one thing that motivates me to use the scroll saw is the huge number of patterns available for a wide range of projects. The "Cat or Mouse" project is cute and that category of cutting (compound cutting) produces some nice things.

One great resource for free project patterns is Steve Good's blogsite... google it and find the catalog... it is awsome. Steve also has video tutorials on techniques and it should motivate you even more. Your scroll saw is supposed to create sawdust, not just collect sawdust!

Spence

Mike Dillen said:

Welcome Spence! You've come to the right place. The folks here are helpfull and very talented and they give free advice, all you need is ask. I own a scroll saw but haven't used it but once but after seeing Greg's post "Cat or Mouse" it stired my interest in giving the scroll saw another go. I look forward to seeing your work.

▶ Reply

Master CarpenterPermalink Reply by Allen Worsham on January 15, 2012 at 7:21pm

Spence,

I sent you a "Friend Request" with a brief note and cost.I did make up a number of templates before Christmas but I sold them all and I don't know when/if I will be making any in the near future as I have so much on my plate. But I do have some of the completed chairs which can act as a templates. Send me "Private Message" or an email to talk further about it.

Spence Bloom said:

Allen,

I visited your website... you make some very nice cutting boards/trivets and I like the practicality of the "knock-down rocking chair".

Most of what I make is for gifts and donations for fundraisers... I intend to make some of the geometric patterned cutting boards this year... and I have 10 grandkids so I'm interested in a reference to find the rocking chair pattern.

Allen Worsham said:

Welcome Spence!

Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee