Looking for feedback

[SonOfMartin]

So, I am starting down the road to learning to scroll. I received the Scroll Saw Workbook as a gift and started working through lesson #1. Below is my 2nd attempt at it. I'd apreciate any feedback, hints, suggestions on how I'm doing. I don't know anyone who scrolls, so I need constructive feedback.

[chachi]

So far your looking good IDK the book so all I can say is practice practice practice be for you know it you will be sawing like a pro.

[Wood Dog]

Hi SonofMartin, welcome to the wonderful world of scrolling. Very helpful book. Something to think about when scrolling that helped me is.....don't stare at the blade, look a little ahead of it.
Light pressure on holding the wood, if your arms are starting to hurt, you are holding on too tight. Think of it this way, manipulate the wood through a smooth delicate Waltz, not the Jitter Bug. Shoulders back, relax, WEAR A MASK, sawdust is not something you want in your lungs.
Keep practicing, and we are here if you want to show us your first project. We love pictures.

[handibunny]

Off to a good start, I'd say.

I learned using the same book, just kept working my way through the lessons. Be sure you're using a good quality blade, and change it frequently. I found that large sheets of laminated pine (big box store) provided an endless amount of wood for practicing. And WD is spot on, as always. It's a dance between you, the blade and the wood. If you ever find yourself pushing, stop and figure out why.

And once you cut your first real object, you'll really be hooked, especially after you post pictures an everyone tells you how great you did.

[wood-n-things]

You are doing great. Just don't get too impatient. Practice and yes, wear a quality dust mask.

[Vector01]

I spies a bit of side pressure and taking your eyes off the line while cutting. This is common when beginning. Trying to force the blade back on line by applying pressure to one side or the other of the wood will only make it worse. The trick is to feed the wood into the blade with one hand and make any slight adjustments turns with the other. As they say let the blade do the cutting. Trying to over compensate to get back on line will also compound the problem.
I still do this at times...I'll look up from the cut to check my speed or something while the saw is still running. When I look back I'm drifting off line. If you need to make adjustments to tension, speed, etc. Stop the saw first. Make your adjustments and then continue your cut.
For me this helps...The width of the line. I noticed that the lines on that pattern are a bit thick. When I make my patterns I use a .25 pixel width line. What you have for the most part is a line that's as thin or thinner than the blade you are using. This for me anyways allows me to focus more on the blade cuting the line with less drift. After a while you will automatically make those minute adjustments while your cutting without realizing your doing it.
I Hope this helps.

[Vector01]

Ran out of room. Practicing cutting those lines is fine. But with you end up with is fire wood. Go ahead and jump in...Try a pattern! Looks like you got some nice 3/4" pine there. Here's a link to a site that has free patterns. Although designed for stained glass they can be used to make puzzles, intarsia, segmentation, etc. Free Stained Glass Patterns
This way you'll have something to check your progress with. Although I do mostly portraits, I'm trying intarsia and segmentation. Here's one of their patterns I tried out the other day. A 10X10" piece of 3/4" pine with some shaping and acrylic wash for color.

[SonOfMartin]

Thank you all for your comments and advice. I especailly like the comments about waltzing with the wood. Believe it or not - that made great sense!

I appreciate the feedback. I tried to make more firewood last night, but the heater in the shop didn't get the temperature over 35 so...I shut down and came back in the house and watched it snow.

[GRAYBEARDSTL]

"The Waltz"...what a great description of "how to git'er done"! The first thing that popped into my mind was what a dance instructor told us once, "Gentlemen, lead your partner with firm but GENTLE control!"
The second thing that popped into my mind was "The Blue Danube"!

Also think of it as "Driving the wood down the road." When you are driving you don't stare at the hood ornament, you look 'down the road'.

And finally....PRACTICE!

Have FUN and RELAX!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[wood-n-things]

If you are looking for some fabulous free patterns look in our vault. Great beginner to advanced patterns and all free.

Free Scroll Saw Pattern Vault - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board