New saw - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

LouF · 01-09-2007, 10:57 PM

Hi everyone I have my first scroll saw I bought a new Ryobi 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw. I got a great deal on it so I could not pass it up. Ok since I am a newbie what would be a good project to start with. I am ready to get started.

LOU

workin for wood · 01-09-2007, 11:03 PM

Can't tell you what to cut, I don't even know what type of style of scrolling that you like. All I can say is congrats on the new saw and happy scrolling !

lucky788scroller · 01-09-2007, 11:04 PM

just practice on a piece of wood to get the feel of the sawing, and familiarize yourself with its operation and its controls. Try writing your name on the piece of wood and scroll it . That teaches you a lot. Congrats on the new tool, and welcome to the forum. Dale

MikeDingas · 01-10-2007, 01:49 AM

Lou, find some books by Spielman and you'll find some good practive patterns. Don't get discouraged and keep at it. It's not really that hard. It's also one of the safest power tools you can use.

Most will agree with my next statement. Ditch the hold-down. It will get in your way constantly. Get used to having your fingers close to the blade. I've nicked myself a time or two and hardly broke the skin.

Do you remember how you were taught to cut a circle in paper? Rotate the paper, not the scissors? Scrolling curves is just like that, cause if you try to rotate the saw you end up tripping on the power cord (groan!!!)

Carter Johnson · 01-10-2007, 02:03 AM

Lou.......I hope you get good advice for finding patterns to get started, BUT, don't get locked in to only cutting if you have a pattern. Try some freehand stuff. Cut a giraffe, an arrow, a teddy bear, a bell, a question mark, etc. etc, without a pattern. Learn how to connect your free-thinking mind with your fingertips. It will serve you well when you need it down the road.

Have phun.....Carter

PuzzledMoose · 01-10-2007, 09:50 AM

Silhouettes from the internet are a good source of shapes to practice on too .. just do an image search for (for instance) "silhouette" "animal" and you should find quite a few ...

LouF · 01-10-2007, 10:29 AM

I will do that look up Silhouettes on the net. Thanks Ian, whats the easyest way to transfer over a drawning to the lumber piece that I am going to cut?

Lou

Bill Wilson · 01-10-2007, 01:09 PM

There are several popular methods for transferring the pattern to the wood. One of the most common is to make a photocopy of the pattern, spray the back of the paper with a temporary bond adhesive and stick it to the wood.

As mentioned, books by Patrick Spielman are good resources for lots of basic patterns. He covers most of the various scrolling styles (fretwork, basic intarsia, portraits, etc), so you can get an idea of what kind of projects you like.

Also, kids coloring books are also a good source of simple outline patterns to help you get started and get used to the saw.

Good luck and have fun making sawdust!

Rolf · 01-10-2007, 01:15 PM

I would suggest getting, guys help me out here, a book by I think John Nelson that has a lot of test patterns. It also introduces you to inlay cutting and various other aspects of scrolling.
It is a great learning tool that I wish I would of had when I started.
I was lucky to have a local club filled with master scrollers.

LouF · 01-10-2007, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the information, what is a good spray adhesive to use? Sorry for all the questions but as I say I am new to all this. What would be a good place to get some blades and what types.All I have is some pined blades that came with the saw. My saw will take pined or non pined blades. The blades that came with the saw seem to be quite wide to make some of those tight small cuts. I sent in for Scroll Saw magazine from this site can't wait to get it. Thanks again for all your help.

Lou