Back to Basics - getting frustrated!

[owler]

I used to play the saxophone in school. When I went to high school, even though I had been playing for four years, the first thing my music teacher did was to begin with the basic book. When asked why, he told us that you most likely have developed bad habits and may never have learned correctly to begin with.

I decided to take the same approach with scrolling. I have never been a good scroller and have never done anything really challenging. I started going through John Nelson's book to make sure my techniques were correct.


I am having a problem with the butterfly. I have made about 10 of them over the last couple of days. Each time, I cut the second antenna really poorly. I just don't seem to be able to stay on the line with the small circle cutting in a counter clockwise direction. The blade always tracks inside the line- even when I anticipate it. Since that is wrong, the rest of the antenna always comes out much thinner than the other one.

I have the fretwork down pat, tight corners and accurate cutting, but I can never get this one part done correctly. I should wait to post this when I can put up a picture but I am frustrated. If anyone is familiar with this pattern and can lend some advice I would appreciate it.

I am using a #5 Rev. skip tooth blade on 3/4 oak. Ran out of pine ( I always have some around) and had some scraps of oak available.

I keep giving them to my daughter who liked the first one. She says she really only needs one but would appreciate one with two antenna. (She inherited her mothers subtle sarcasm.)

[CanadianScroller]

I know when I am scrolling the wood and blade combination will react differently depending on the direction I am cutting.

Like you said

just don't seem to be able to stay on the line with the small circle cutting in a counter clockwise direction. The blade always tracks inside the line- even when I anticipate it.

We all have this problem, and although I have not read Johns book, and I know I should.... I think a work around for you maybe to cut all the cuts on your project the same direction.

I know it is good to be able to cut in both directions and you have discovered the characteristics of the blade as you have done this.
Cutting, or drawing in symmetry is a challenge at the best of times.

I have found when cutting circles with a jig I made that if I turn the wood one direction the circle becomes a spiral if I turn it the other, I end up with a true circle.
So it is not your fault that this is happening it is just the nature of the blade.
I hope this helps. If not I know many others will jump in.

Carl

[Mick Walker]

Owler, I have cut hundred of butterflies but never any out of 3/4" wood. I cut the wings out of 1/8" wood stacking 2. The antennae I cut from 1/4" wood. Oak, cherry, walnut and mahogany. The antennae is tough, I broke a lot of them when I started. I cut down into the V between the 2 curls, back out and back into the V with the blade, cut the right one first going clockwise all the way around and down to the bottom of the body. Then back to the left side and cut that one counter clockwise. Practice is about the only solution that I can think of. Maybe a different blade? I use a 2/0 28 t.p.i. blade. But that wouldn't cut 3/4" oak very well. Mick P-20

[SharonW0111]

Owler - I don't know the butterfly you are doing vut I do know the problem you are having. Have you tried going in reverse direction of the way you were cutting? I mean if you started from the top of the antenna and go down try going from the bottom of the antenna and go up. Also try slowing your speed down. This may help...
Sharon

[SharonW0111]

and by the way -I find pine is bad on breaking anyway so a good hardwood may help a lot too
Sharon

[Rolf]

We all have our blade favorites, and I don't want to start a war again, but.
Try an Olson PGT 5 blade they cut very straight and don't favor a particular side.
All of the above suggestions are very good. Make a copy of just your problem area and practice that on some scraps before you commit to another butterfly.

[owler]

Thanks for your help.

I will keep practicing. I don't mind doing the whole butterfly because each time I do, the inside cuts get better and better. When I do something wrong, I usually know why. I don't really want to do the project to keep it. Just using it as an exercise to improve skills.

I will try slowing down and the other things mentioned. I will take a picture of tonight's attempt and post it.

[ChuckD]

Just think of the nice bright fire you are going to have with all this kindling you are making.

[owler]

Ok - Fret work went great tonight - no complaints. Antenna - same problem.

The first picture shows the whole piece - it's about 4" x 4".

The second show a closer view of the antenna. The right one is always better but as you might be able to se, the bottom of the circle is flat.

The left one always gets screwed up the worst. The circle is not a circle and I always mess up the turn coming out of the circle.

Would a smaller blade help? Is the circle too tight for a #5?

[owler]

Chuck,

The pile sure is growing!