The one top tip you would offer a newbie scroller?

[Schultzee]

I am in the process of rearranging my shed and doing lots of research in eager anticipation of taking up scrolling. I have scanned through a few of the topics on the forum already and there really is a lot to take in! So what would be the one top tip or piece of advice (tools, technique, work space whatever you feel may be most useful) that you could offer a newbie?

I should mention that I am already settled on the idea of trying to acquire a good quality saw second hand, seems to me that most of the 'starter' saws are much of a muchness and I'd be better off going down the second hand route.

 

[Bryan Bennett]

Hi Schultzee A very warm welcome to the Forum,and to a hobby that is second to none.When I started this fabulous hobby I bought a new Hegner Multicut 1,I did not know that there was more to chose from.
The choice is yours,I hope that you make the right choice.Other members will reply to your post and welcome you I have no doubt.I have not got the answer to your post,but one of the Guys or Gals will. :roll:

Bryan

 

[Chippygeoff]

I agree with your idea of getting a scroll saw, a decent secondhand one will be much better that those imported from the far east. You won't suffer the frustrations that come with them like excessive vibration, trying to find blade clamps that take pinless blades and bits breaking off. A lot of people that are thinking of taking up scroll saw work feel that once they have bought their saw that's it but the reality is that it isn't. If you intend to take a serious approach to making things on the scroll saw then you will need a decent light to go with it. A foot switch would also be beneficial. You will also need a strong bench or stand to mount the saw on and have it securely bolted down.

Good quality blades are also essential if you want to make a good impression on some pieces of wood. Many saws come with blades to give the buyer a start but they are usually from a cheap manufacturer so in your shoes I would go for blades made by Pegus or Olsen. A word of warning though, being a scroller is very addictive, it's like becoming a drug addict, you need your fix on a regular basis. Once you get into scrolling you will find that you need other things like a drill press for drilling very accurate holes in patterns that have tiny little cut outs. Then you may find you need something like a belt/disc sander for cleaning projects up after you have finished cutting them on the scroll saw or for cleaning up wood that is not quite smooth enough. There are many uses for a decent sander. You may also need a dust extractor like the Henry vacuum cleaner and if you don't have one then a decent mask as a lot of wood dust is toxic, especially MDF, which I would steer clear of anyway. As you progress you will find you will need other things as well but hey, lets make a start buy getting the saw first and you can add other things later. On here you will find a great bunch of people who will be more than willing to give you the benefit of many years of scroll sawing experience.

 

[ChrisR]

Welcome to the forum.

I had typed up some advice, but Geoff has beaten me to the draw, and he has given sound advice, much better than I had typed up.

I will leave in my last paragraph though.

Most important just relax and enjoy, we all make mistakes no matter how long we have been scroll sawing, I was introduced to hand fret sawing when I was approx eight, I am now seventy one, and still make mistakes. #-o

Take care.

Chris R.

 

[bodgerbaz]

Hello Schultzee and a very warm welcome to the forum.

Before I try to answer your question, can I just say that there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum so I'm sure that whatever your queries are in the years to come, you will either find the answer here or someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

Tip 1:
The vast majority of us scroll for a hobby because we like it and can make gifts for people that cannot usually be found elsewhere. The operative phrase there is "we like it". That means working in a warm comfortable environment with plenty of light. If you have the right environment you’ll want to go out there, you’ll feel comfortable, you’ll take your time and you’ll enjoy what you are doing. If the environment is cold, draughty and dimly lit you won’t want to go out there, you’ll resent being there and will probably rush what you are doing so you can get back in the house as soon as possible. Probably with fairly mediocre results.

You know yourself that if you are happy and enjoying yourself you usually make a much better job of something than if you approach it reluctantly. A good environment will help you achieve much better results which will lead to more time in the workshop and a lot more brownie points.

Tip 2:
Start small and simple and build up to more complex patterns. Start off cutting out simple things like animals out of ¾” bog-standard pine from B&Q. You can get some 6” wide stuff fairly cheaply where you can cut out a few ducks or cats, give ‘em a couple of coats of varnish and you’ll really feel as though you’ve achieved something.
Because they’ll probably all be ‘outside cuts** ’ you won’t need to phaff about constantly connecting and disconnecting the blade.

** ’outside cuts’ (i.e. scroll sawing) traces the outside shape of an object usually in one go, whereas ‘inside cuts’ (i.e. fretwork) which is where you keep threading the blade through holes and cut out shapes until the work looks a bit like a cake doilie.

Tip 3:
Download a lot of patterns so you can start to build a library of things you like to cut or really fancy having a go at. An excellent place to start is our old friend Steve Good http://stevedgo.ipower.com/cat/ who has loads and loads of FREE downloadable PDF plans which vary in the complexity but are very satisfying to make. Start with the simpler ¾” thick pine silhouettes and stuff and you’ll soon gain confidence and want to expand your subjects.

Tip 4:
Get on the mailing list of the following to see some wonderful patterns that you will soon want to have a go at :-
Sue Mey http://www.scrollsawartist.com/
Shelia Landry http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com/

Tip 5:
Enjoy it. You're not out in the workshop because you have to be - you're out there because you WANT to be there.

Have a ball :wink:

Barry

 

[Chippygeoff]

Very well said Barry, you have encompassed the joy of scroll sawing to a T and given very sound advice as Chris and Bryan have.

 

[Lumberman]

My advice to you is buy the best saw you can afford, stay clear of cheap imports it could put you off scrolling for good.
Also buy a variable speed saw this is essential for speed control and a slow feed rate when making intricate cuts to avoid breaking the fine blades needed for this kind of work. Start off with simple projects that have plenty of curves e.c.t. to help you get used to cutting also practice and further practice following straight lines.

I have a Hegner multicut 2 saw variable speed an excellent saw but expensive I use Fling Dutchman blades from Mike's workshop U.S.A
the posted is cheaper than sending for blades in the U.K.

Happy scrolling
Harry.

 

[scrimper]

Where does one start?

Firstly a decent saw will make an amazing difference, however I started with a hand-frame then a treadle machine and eventually a motorised fretsaw, both my father and grandfather did some beautiful work with only a treadle and hand frame so it can be done. Of course one can create masterpieces with a really cheap saw but it is a lot more difficult and can be frustrating.

Plenty of good tips above which I would endorse however if I had to give one tip it would be ....... when cutting do not just follow the line blindly, look ahead at the pattern and follow the line with a flow taking in the integrity of the pattern for example if the shape is of a flower it will have links to other parts of the pattern, look ahead to the next part to ensure the cut line is in line with the next part of the pattern, also if you make a mistake and the saw goes off line don't go back and try to re cut it, keep cutting but modify the pattern a little so the mistake won't show, with most designs you can change it a little to correct errors.

Oh another thing don't stick religiously to patterns, experiment by changing them slightly and try taking bits from one pattern and use them with another so as to create unique designs, you can do this by copying or cutting and pasting or on a PC using photoshop, Coreldraw or inkscape or other graphics programme, all you need is a printer/scanner.

 

[nadnerb]

Hi Shultzee and welcome to the best forum for scrollers.
I concur with everything the other contributors have said but wish to add my own two cents. I would advise you to take your time, u tube is full of videos of people pushing wood through their saws at 100 miles an hour and getting perfect results. Speed will come in time, but to start off I would concentrate on accuracy. A very handy piece of kit when starting off is a set of needle files for smoothing out imperfections in internal cuts. After a while you will not need them as much.
Also use good masking tape and clear packing tape for your patterns, there is nothing worse than the pattern lifting when you are cutting fine cuts.
Most of all Have fun and if you have any questions , there are many true craftsmen and women here to help you on your way
Regards
Brendan

 

[finneyb]

Most important just relax and enjoy, we all make mistakes no matter how long we have been scroll sawing, I was introduced to hand fret sawing when I was approx eight, I am now seventy one, and still make mistakes. #-o

Take care.

Chris R.

'and still make mistakes' - design opportunities, please :lol: :lol:

Brian

 

[Walney Col]

Top tip = you don't need a hegner to produce stunning work.

 

[Schultzee]

Many thanks to all of you for the advice!

 

[Alexam]

Hi Shultzee, happy New Year to you and welcome to the forum.

I cannot offer advice as I have only just started to use the Record 16" scrollsaw that was 'aquired' in a job lot early last year. It seems to work well, but does vibrate a lot and probably my techniqie - such as it is.

We are similar age, I'm 73 and used to live in Newquay for many years, before returning to Birmingham when I was about 21. Use to go to Tretheris and then Cornwall Tech., so wonder if our paths may have crossed many years ago if you are a local?

Only got into woodworking a year ago with my son and enjoying making bandsaw boxes. However, the scrollsaw is becoming more important and I need to master the one I have, or upgrade to something better.

Hope you enjoy the forum and the many experts that are here. I am reading their mesages as well as looking at loads of videos to try and improve.

Good luck

Alex