A basic question.. - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

laurie · 10-30-2009, 11:54 AM

Hi fellow scrollsawers, i have a question in line with my ever learning process whilst i have read about blade tension and squareness, speed verses direct pressure etc what i need to learn is how do you correctly cut a circular pattern or scrolling work. Do i slowly feed the piece in with small bites or use a slow but steady turning motion with my piece. Will alternating the speed of the blade make much difference.

KtownScroller · 10-30-2009, 12:03 PM

I feed into the the line and cut slowly while following the line. The same way I would cut anything on the scroll saw.

Rolf · 10-30-2009, 12:51 PM

To me it is like driving, I look where I am going. A litlle ahead of the blade. Once you are used to how the blade you are using cuts(tracks) you will automatically compensate for it. Speed will come with practice. I don't mess with my blade speed much, usually only for different materials.

marshall · 10-30-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf

To me it is like driving, I look where I am going. A litlle ahead of the blade. Once you are used to how the blade you are using cuts(tracks) you will automatically compensate for it. Speed will come with practice. I don't mess with my blade speed much, usually only for different materials.

This is the way I also do it , just take your time and don't rush it . It will come in practicing for sure .........

Mick Walker · 10-30-2009, 08:23 PM

Laurie, welcome to the forum. Starting out I would use a slow speed and steady pushing of the wood directly into the teeth. Steer and push the wood with your right hand (if you are right handed) Hold the wood down with your left hand using your left index finger as a pivot point. Try to stay on the line, if you start to go off the line come back to it gradually. Trying to get back on the line abruptly you will most likely go off on the other side. Cutting a perfect circle is difficult, staying a little off the line and then sand to the line. The more you practice the better you will become.
Good luck with your projects.

wood-n-things · 10-30-2009, 08:53 PM

Welcome...Love questions like this..You already have great answers. The best of course is Practice--- Patience--- Practice.

The only thing harder than a circle on a scroll saw ..Is, well quite frankly, a long straight line...

laurie · 11-01-2009, 08:50 AM

Hi Guys, many thanks for the answers...looks like walk before running ...slow and steady.and practice practice practice.

wood-n-things · 11-01-2009, 11:22 AM

You got it on your first try..Good for you..and post pics..npnh....LOL

10-30-2009, 11:54 AM	#1
laurie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sanur,Bali. Indonesia Posts: 4	A basic question.. Hi fellow scrollsawers, i have a question in line with my ever learning process whilst i have read about blade tension and squareness, speed verses direct pressure etc what i need to learn is how do you correctly cut a circular pattern or scrolling work. Do i slowly feed the piece in with small bites or use a slow but steady turning motion with my piece. Will alternating the speed of the blade make much difference.

10-30-2009, 12:03 PM	#2
KtownScroller So much better :) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,662	I feed into the the line and cut slowly while following the line. The same way I would cut anything on the scroll saw. __________________ - Rick

10-30-2009, 12:51 PM	#3
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	To me it is like driving, I look where I am going. A litlle ahead of the blade. Once you are used to how the blade you are using cuts(tracks) you will automatically compensate for it. Speed will come with practice. I don't mess with my blade speed much, usually only for different materials. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

10-30-2009, 08:23 PM	#5
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,335	Laurie, welcome to the forum. Starting out I would use a slow speed and steady pushing of the wood directly into the teeth. Steer and push the wood with your right hand (if you are right handed) Hold the wood down with your left hand using your left index finger as a pivot point. Try to stay on the line, if you start to go off the line come back to it gradually. Trying to get back on the line abruptly you will most likely go off on the other side. Cutting a perfect circle is difficult, staying a little off the line and then sand to the line. The more you practice the better you will become. Good luck with your projects. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

10-30-2009, 08:53 PM	#6
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	Welcome...Love questions like this..You already have great answers. The best of course is Practice--- Patience--- Practice. The only thing harder than a circle on a scroll saw ..Is, well quite frankly, a long straight line... __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

11-01-2009, 08:50 AM	#7
laurie Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sanur,Bali. Indonesia Posts: 4	Hi Guys, many thanks for the answers...looks like walk before running ...slow and steady.and practice practice practice.

11-01-2009, 11:22 AM	#8
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	You got it on your first try..Good for you..and post pics..npnh....LOL __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

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