Cutting thin lines in Fretwork? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Bobblehead58 · 06-02-2011, 02:58 PM

Okay, so, how do I cut thin lines (like hi-lite lines) in a piece WITHOUT leaving an obvious hole where I drilled my pilot hole? I've used drill bits for wire-gauge in my Dremel (cause my drill press won't hold those small bits), but the hole is STILL too big for the scrollsaw blade, and leaves glaring hole at one end of the line, so I have to widen my hi-lite line to hide that fact. It's frustrating, as some of the lines I need to make would be much more attractive if they were thinner. I live on the Oregon coast, and there are no "clubs" or local woodworking groups (that advertise, anyway) that I can get help with. I've been scrolling for less than a year, and find that I love fretwork, but I'm eager to try intarsia once I get better at what I'm doing now. (I'm kinda obsessive that way.) Hope someone out there can help me. Thanks.

wood-n-things · 06-02-2011, 03:08 PM

Bobblehead,
You are doing it the right way. Use the smallest blade you can use and the smallest drill bit for that blade. You can get micro bits online at mikes workshop and sloans. Once you insert the blade you will need to do the feathering technique to elongate the hole as you mentioned. Sometimes you can hide the entry hole along the vein instead of at one end or the other.

wood-n-things · 06-02-2011, 03:08 PM

Welcome A Board!! You will be hard pressed to find a friendlier or more knowledgeable group on the net re: woodworking. Share your knowledge and do not hesitate to ask questions.

You may find the stickies at the top of this forum to be very helpful. Use the Link below.

Message Board FAQ, Suggestions and Feedback - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board.

Take a few minutes to read through them. They are chock full of great information.

Be sure and share pics of your projects. We thrive on pictures.

The only dumb question is the one that remains unasked.

Whatever reason brought you to our forum we are pleased you found us.

Mick Walker · 06-02-2011, 07:47 PM

Bobblehead, what Mike said and you can also drill your holes at the intersection of 2 lines making the hole less obvious.

06-02-2011, 02:58 PM	#1
Bobblehead58 Bobblehead58 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Tillamook, OR (Oregon Coast) Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cutting thin lines in Fretwork? Okay, so, how do I cut thin lines (like hi-lite lines) in a piece WITHOUT leaving an obvious hole where I drilled my pilot hole? I've used drill bits for wire-gauge in my Dremel (cause my drill press won't hold those small bits), but the hole is STILL too big for the scrollsaw blade, and leaves glaring hole at one end of the line, so I have to widen my hi-lite line to hide that fact. It's frustrating, as some of the lines I need to make would be much more attractive if they were thinner. I live on the Oregon coast, and there are no "clubs" or local woodworking groups (that advertise, anyway) that I can get help with. I've been scrolling for less than a year, and find that I love fretwork, but I'm eager to try intarsia once I get better at what I'm doing now. (I'm kinda obsessive that way.) Hope someone out there can help me. Thanks.

06-02-2011, 03:08 PM	#2
wood-n-things Staying Positive Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 18,561 Thanks: 50 Thanked 380 Times in 281 Posts	Bobblehead, You are doing it the right way. Use the smallest blade you can use and the smallest drill bit for that blade. You can get micro bits online at mikes workshop and sloans. Once you insert the blade you will need to do the feathering technique to elongate the hole as you mentioned. Sometimes you can hide the entry hole along the vein instead of at one end or the other. __________________ "Montana MIKE" There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Pray That All The Splinters Are Pointed The Other Way... "Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long." Mike's Wood-n-Things

06-02-2011, 03:08 PM	#3
wood-n-things Staying Positive Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 18,561 Thanks: 50 Thanked 380 Times in 281 Posts	Welcome A Board!! You will be hard pressed to find a friendlier or more knowledgeable group on the net re: woodworking. Share your knowledge and do not hesitate to ask questions. You may find the stickies at the top of this forum to be very helpful. Use the Link below. Message Board FAQ, Suggestions and Feedback - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board. Take a few minutes to read through them. They are chock full of great information. Be sure and share pics of your projects. We thrive on pictures. The only dumb question is the one that remains unasked. Whatever reason brought you to our forum we are pleased you found us. __________________ "Montana MIKE" There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” As You Slide Down the Banister of Life, Pray That All The Splinters Are Pointed The Other Way... "Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long." Mike's Wood-n-Things

06-02-2011, 07:47 PM	#4
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 3,073 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Bobblehead, what Mike said and you can also drill your holes at the intersection of 2 lines making the hole less obvious. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 A smile is a small curve that straightens everything out.

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