Scroll
a Curious Cat
Practice Cutting Curves
In this article, our
third installment of beginner patterns, we’re focusing on cutting curves. This
exercise is one of 25 in a terrific beginner book from Fox Chapel, Scroll Saw
Workbook.
Cutting
the Pattern
Step 1:
Attach a photocopy of the pattern to the wood using temporary bond adhesive.
Your wood should be at least 1/4" larger than the pattern. For this project, a
41/2" x
51/2" piece of wood will give you a lot of wood around the edges to hold on to.
If you decide to use spray adhesive, be sure to spray the pattern and not the
wood. Spraying the wood will make pattern removal difficult.
Step 2:
Insert your blade, with the teeth pointing downward, into the blade clamps.
Check the tension and adjust as necessary. You should hear a crisp “ping” and
not a “plunk” when you pluck the blade. Make sure the blade is at a 90-degree
angle to the table.
Step 3:
Turn the
saw on, relax and have fun.
Tips
-
Think of the pattern lines as a road. If, as you are
“driving” the blade along the “road,” you end up off
the pattern line, don’t try to force the blade
sideways to get back on the line. Instead, gradually
steer the blade back to the line.
-
Take each project as an opportunity to improve your
skills. Once you have finished cutting the project,
look at the work carefully. Does the piece have
bumps or beestings (places where you’ve moved too
quickly off of and back to the line)? Are the lines
smooth? Are the corners nice and sharp? If you feel
that you want to do better, take another pattern and
piece of wood and try again until you’re satisfied
with the result.
Materials
-
3/4" x 41/2" x 51/2" pine
-
Temporary bond spray adhesive or glue stick
Tools
Click Here To Download The Pattern
 To view our patterns,
simply click on the link above. You'll need the FREE
Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. Click the
Acrobat button below to get it now!
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