Lines

[JimSawyer]

The reason that scrollsaw blades don't cut a straight line naturaly is because of the way that they're manufactured. There is a burr on one side of the blade. When you're feeding the wood in to the blade, you'll have to keep the wood at an angle to make it cut straight. Plus practice, practice practice. I remember when I had just starting using a scrollsaw, (17 years ago), a friend of mine had said that I couldn't cut a straight line with a tool like that. I wish I knew where he was today so that I could bet him $20 that I could. Eventually it becomes second nature. Just keep scrolling, you'll get the hang of it!

[sawdustus]

Spectator: "How can I get to the Olympics?"
Athlete: "Practice, Practice, Practice."

Never truer than trying to scroll a straight line. I Like to keep the burr (right side of the blade) in the waste area. Since the blade wants to pull to that side, if I wander a bit I can back up and shave to the line before continuing. As Mike said, look ahead just like you do when driving. If you focus on the blade, you will wander just like you would if you kept your eyes on the road just ahead of your car instead of far ahead of the car. As Phil said, use your arms not your fingers to push the wood and keep them off the table.
Sawdustus