newbie, looking for advice on gingerbread

[Double B]

I am new to this website and have already learned alot about scrolling, my wife and I have purchased a old farm house built in the 1890's, my wife is wanting to use alot of gingerbread in the decor. I have to get this done before I can get into more advanced scroll practice, I am looking for a little advice.

I was looking for suggestions on the blade I should use, I will be cutting 3/4 inch pine and I would like to do as little sanding as possible, if possible. If you could suggest a blade please include where to purchase it, I have a Lowes and Home Depot store and also a new Wood Craft store here close by. All advice will be greatly appreciated as I am new to scroll saws, but I have developed a great intrest after viewing this website and I am looking forward to trying some of the projects I have found here.

I have some woodworking catalogs that tend to cater more to the larger shope tools, but they do carry scroll saws and blades, however I dont know one blade from the other.

All sugestions and advice welcome, anything to get my wife off my back and back to painting trim.......

[wood-n-things]

You might contact Mike
Mike's Workshop
And get his sampler pack.

Since you are relatively new to scrolling you might want to try several blades before you settle on one blade for your project.

I'd probably use a #7 ultra reverse blade for the wood you describe.

Not affiliated with him by the way...<smile>

[saw dust]

Like Mike says try more than one blade and also brands if you are new to scrolling. I like olsen blades, and have bought blades from Mike, and he is very helpful. For some reason I have more trouble staying with the line with the Flying Dutchman blade. I usually cut in a clockwise direction, but have found with the FD blades I do better cutting counter clockwise. On 3/4 inch I usually use a #7 blade. This is just me, practice and you will find what is comfortable and works for you. Good luck. saw dust

[Double B]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice, I will try the #7 blade and I will look into the blade assortment from Mike's.

[Richard Grover]

If there was ONE answer to this question, then all the other blade manufactorers would be out of business, because everybody would only buy that one blade. You know the saying "Different strokes for different folks." This is probablly even more true when it comes to scrolling and choice of saws, blades, wood, finish, presentation, to sell or not to sell, etc.
The Ultra Reverse blade from Mike is a wonderful blade and should do you fine for your fretwork gingerbread in 3/4 pine.
Once you get involved in more intricatre fretwork try the Olsen blade from your local WoodCraft store. The Olsen blade has more teeth per inch so it isn't quite as aggressive. Just my opinion, but do try several makes and styles of blades. You will find what works for you.

DG Dewalt 788

[Pajaro]

Cookies

• 3 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature, softened)
• 1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
• 1 Tbsp ground ginger
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
• Optional raisins, chocolate chips, candy pieces, frosting

OOOOOPPPPPPPSSSSS is this wrong kind of Ginger Bread????

[Rolf]

I did some ginger bread for a shed that I built, and that was before I had a decent saw.
Now I would use the Olson PGT series blades # 5 for finer detail or #7 if the features are big. The leave a very fine finish and cut like butter. The FD UR series will also do the job.
Scroll Saw Blades I use the double reverse.
As you can see we all have developed preferences over the years. It really comes down to what works best for YOU.

[yost69]

I use a #7 reverse on 3/4 pine and have not had a problem.

I will also agree with everyone else. Try different blades to see what you like the best. My favorites are Flying Dutchman and Olson PGT (precision ground teeth) I can't complain about either of them.

Ben

[Scrolling Days]

Originally Posted by Pajaro

Cookies

• 3 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature, softened)
• 1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
• 1 Tbsp ground ginger
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
• Optional raisins, chocolate chips, candy pieces, frosting

OOOOOPPPPPPPSSSSS is this wrong kind of Ginger Bread????

LOL, you beat me to it, Pete!