Question For All You Experinced Scroll Sawers

[WVCowboy99]

How does person keep from breaking off small pieces of wood you cut out of the pattern? I seem to have a real problem with that. Thanks for any help.

Charlie

[Woodworking Plus]

Hi Charlie
Take a piece of 1/4 " luan plywood and cut it to the same size as your table bed.
Start the saw and cut thru the plywood until you get to the center.
Tape it in place. This will prevent small pieces from falling thru, plus make it much easier to cut small pieces without breakage.
Mike

[billyplum]

grain direction is the first thing to note .(older patterns had an arrow to indicate this .) cut from centre of pattern outwards and try to cut flimsy pieces first -while they have support from surrounding wood . take it easy and let the saw do the work .hope this helps - bill

[WVCowboy99]

Thanks Guys that does help alot I will try your tricks. Thanks Mike for the plywood idea.

[markdavd]

Reverse tooth blades can sometimes wreck havoc with the small cuts if the piece isn't supported on top was well as the bottom.

What kind of wood and what thickness are you having trouble with?

[silver fox]

Hi Charlie,

I go with Mike on his idea of the ply although I have also used a piece of plexiglass. The only problem I found was that if you break a blade, you have to untape everything to replace it.
Still it works a treat


Warwick

[WVCowboy99]

I been trying to cut pine 1/2" thick. Guys I am pretty new to this. I know you guys have a lot more experice than me. Thanks for letting me grasp some of it. When I try to cut the real pretty patterns they always seem to have the small wooden pieces. They break off on me. Seems like I have to try and try to be careful when I cut it.

[WVCowboy99]

This Saturday I worked on a piece for 6 hours. Then had a piece break on me. Had to throw the whole thing away. :-( Boy was I mad! And it was looking really nice too.

[minowevie]

Hi Charlie, you can also just use some painters tape, just press it against the blade. and it will tear to go around the blade.and stick it to the table over the old plate, and onto your table, about 2". I do a bout 4 pieces. you have to replace the tape . but you can also cut into a credit card or playing card or 2. and tape it to your saw. the tape is thinner . so not to left the project. you don't have to take it off each time you chang to a new hole. just take the blade out of the hole. or just left your work like always. you can cut just about anything 1/8"thick to make a 0 clearance plate, just use your normal plate to make a pattern.drill a intree hole, or cut a grove to the center. it all works. hope this helps. your friend Evie

[minowevie]

Originally Posted by WVCowboy99

I been trying to cut pine 1/2" thick. Guys I am pretty new to this. I know you guys have a lot more experice than me. Thanks for letting me grasp some of it. When I try to cut the real pretty patterns they always seem to have the small wooden pieces. They break off on me. Seems like I have to try and try to be careful when I cut it.

I would also like to add, another thing I do , when I cut some fragile fretwork. I use some painters tape. tear it is small pieces, and tape the cut lines that I have already cut. leaving the waist pieces in place. this will help give some support to the next cutting on the other side of that bredg.this also helps the wood from vibrating, and jumping around, also a place to put your fingers while cutting,carfull not to cover the lines that you have not cut yet.this tape will just pull right off. when you are ready to remove the pattern.
this will also protect the project when you are done with one piece. and go to the next. I will even tape the back. so when I take the pattern off the front. and try to sand it . the tape on the back holding the waist wood in. again that gives somemore support this works pretty good for me. hope this helps. your friend Evie