very very very basic questions!

[confusedone]

hi there, ok very new to all of this, introduced myself in the intro bit (crazy cat that i am), and thanks for all for taking time to say hi back!

If you see my intro, you will easily see where i am coming from with these questions! ok......(dont laugh!!)

Was advised to go to the templates to try some. loads of good ones there BUT ...... what am i meant to do with them?? print them off? copy them onto a bit of wood and cut around the lines?? some have patterns on inside (the toilet sign with a man peering over is quite funny, but HOW would that be cut out??)

Read somewhere to use sellotape to lubricate the blade. Should i simply stick the template to the wood im about to cut and sellotape over and follow the pattern?? I already did a simple one from there, teddy puzzle one, and me and my son coloured it in tonight so that was fun. But hardly something i could pass on as a work of art, or sell!!!

Anyone advise on the BASICS of scroll sawing??

Many thanks for taking your time reading my post, and hope to hear from people soon!!

Any preference on woods? and finishes?? Im not erm DIY minded, so as far as i know paint is paint, spray is spray, if anyone can break down steps or point me to where i can get this info it would be really appreciated!

thanks again, alan.

[wood-n-things]

Try reading this one first...
Scrollsawing Tips, Tricks and help for newbies by Dave Gandy - Part 4

Templates= patterns?

If so then you are in the vault and yes print them out...if you are in the galleries these are pictures and not intended to be used as patterns. .<hint>The pictures are in color.

[confusedone]

many thanks for your message! i shall read through that link, much appreciated.

Originally Posted by wood-n-things

Templates= patterns?

If so then you are in the vault and yes print them out....<hint>The pictures are in color.

here is a link for a page from this site...

Word Art and signs

about half way down is an amusing one of a toilet sign with a man climbing over peering at the woman! erm please dont judge me haha.
No but i mean not that im only interested in making this sign (god this is sounding worse isnt it, i should stop typing NOW), but how would the actual structure of that work?? i mean, what bit is meant to be cut out, the lighter or the dark? or are the pictures and words meant to be cut out and placed on another piece? bit confusing, but maybe all will become apparent in the link you provided.

thanks again for getting back, alan.

[Carter-Johnson]

I hate to again sound like the renegade that I guess I am, Alan, but I've never read a book or instructions on scroll-sawing or have never used a pattern. I just bought a saw, read it's manual, bought some blades. tightened the tension, turned it on, upped the speed, grabbed some 1/2" or 1/4" wood and began to cut some giraffes, elephants, birds, leaves, etc just from looking at pictures. Within a week I was cutting my first freehand puzzle.

Use all the books and patterns you want, but don't forget to let yourself express yourself without doing what some else tells you do do.

It's more phun..... Carter

[Chris "The Wood Artist"]

I'm not mike but I will answer. The grey is to be cut out of a piece and then take a backer piece and attach it to the cut piece which will give you the completed piece.
For more detail, I would either paint, stain, or attach cardstock paper, or even felt to the backer piece before attaching it to the cut piece that way it will give depth. Now you could also cut those pieces out and then attach them to another material, but I wouldn't do it that way as the first would look better I think. Hope this helps, sorry Mike, didn't mean to step on your toes.

[wood-n-things]

No toes stepped upon here, we are all helpers..Thanks for taking care of it Chris.
I was making some sawdust...

[confusedone]

thanks for replies. read the link but doesnt go into the specifics of getting the templates on the wood, do people copy them on? ok for some pics to try and copy but im not good with free hand!

carter - thanks, will definately try free though, have a wee bit already. and thanks for the other bits of advice too!

just to let you know, since posting here, i got up and tried one! it was from the puzzles on the vaults, a giraffe. copied it by hand so a bit dodgy, but actually looks alright! i mean the wood is,well im not even sure what type, some sort of offcut, about half inch i think, taped it up, looks ok! even the wife agrees (madness!), i mean needs some sort of smoothing then im guessing finishes and paintss/coats/patterns is a whole new ballgame!

thanks for the motivation so far, think i have the bug and may well be a regular (read:hassler) here. cheers people.

[wood-n-things]

Print the pattern.
Prepare your wood, sand etc, make sure you clean all debris from the wood.
Most of us use a spray adhesive...Spray the back of the pattern.
let it set for about 30 seconds to become tacky.
Apply to wood to be cut. Some prefer to tape over the wood first, This is personal preference.
Use clear packing tape over pattern, try to keep bubbles and wrinkles to a minimum.
cut out any interior cuts first..then cut rest of pattern..

Once you are done cutting, remove tape and pattern.

You may have to spray or wipe on Mineral spirits to release the glue. I always do this with a spritz/spray bottle and let the project set for about 5-10 minutes and the pattern will lift right off.
If there are a few stubborn spots, spritz with MS again and let set for a few minutes.
Once wood has dried..about 1/2 hour I sand to remove any fuzzies..

I hope this helps..

Now you are obligated to share photos with the rest of the family here-- no matter how poorly you think you did...You will be your own worst critic.....we will of course try to walk you through that as well...have fun and make some sawdust..

[Bill Wilson]

With regard to patterns, I would just add one thing. Don't use your original pattern to make the piece. Always make a copy and save the original.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Bill Wilson

With regard to patterns, I would just add one thing. Don't use your original pattern to make the piece. Always make a copy and save the original.

This a great idea Bill for I really screwed up on one of my patterns and used the only one I had and you know I didn't even really remember doing it . So do keep Bill's good idea in mind forever...........I will never make the same mistake again...........Marshall