Make It Your Own

[mdvt]

Although new to this web-site, as previously mentioned I've been cutting for 4 yrs now. Two things I'd like to mention for beginners. I was intimidated when I started. Not that me saying anything will releave any anxiety of anyone. But try not to be intimidated. Practice, practice, practice, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. You Will!!!!
Secondly, "make the pattern your own".
My first couple of pieces, way back when, were for presents. Friends, family, etc. I tried to cut the pattern with every nook and cranny on the pattern, and got very frustrated when I would constantly screw up. Since then, after putting the pattern on the wood, I carefully examine which cuts are really needed to make the piece look good. Then drill those holes. You can always drill more later, but can't cover in holes later. Then as you cut make the pattern look good "to you". It's your own little twist and makes your piece unique to all the others of the same pattern. Now you have an "original", and if you give it to family members, they love it that much more when you tell them that.
Trust me, I have no, 0, nada, atristic talent, but even I can do this. And since I started doing that, the woodshop is that much more enjoyable!
Happy cutting!!

[I-saw]

I was intimidated to begin with...especially if there's no guard on the saw, that blade & arms whizzing up & down can be off putting, then when a blade snaps or comes lose you get frustrated & lose confidence...plus it can be a real shock. When I first started I thought "this isn't for me", yet I stuck at it & 6 years later I'm the boss...not the saw. The saw does what I tell it, not the other way round!

A tip I have to decrease the nerves is to wear ear plugs. I almost always use them (the wax kind) as they block out the "intimidating" noise & improve concentration a great deal. Blocking out unnecessary noise gets me "in the zone" & focused on the cutting.

[minowevie]

I just think that is so cool , when new memmbers, reach out to help the beggeners, whora, mdvt, and , I-Saw. your friend Evie

[I-saw]

Originally Posted by minowevie

I just think that is so cool , when new memmbers, reach out to help the beggeners, whora, mdvt, and , I-Saw. your friend Evie

Thanks Evie! You're not too bad yourself when it comes to reaching out to others, you are the life & soul of the forum imo., a very giving & kind person

[Kevin12]

There are many very cool people on this forum. And sometimes Evie is the fearless friendly leader. (She's everyone's friend - just look at her signature!)

When I get "off the line" when scrolling, most of the time I'm able to simply say, "Okay, so my bear cutting had a bit more to eat than the bear pattern." or even, "Okay, so who is going to look at this who is a bloody EXpert on camel anatomy?" Stuff like that.

[Plaquerd]

Originally Posted by Kevin12

When I get "off the line" when scrolling, most of the time I'm able to simply say, "Okay, so my bear cutting had a bit more to eat than the bear pattern." or even, "Okay, so who is going to look at this who is a bloody EXpert on camel anatomy?" Stuff like that.

Kevin
There is only one person who REALLY knows where the line was........the person cutting. So does it really matter if you are off a bit? No one needs to know, I don't tell when it happens to me! It's just another way to "modify" a pattern! LOL
Dave

[muzzleloader]

The way I see it is,who's going to know if you cut on the line but you?

[oops99]

Thanks for this post, I'm sure it will help some of the newer dustmakers.
I wish that I read something like this years ago when I first started cutting, it is something that we all go through, but this is the first time I saw someone bring attention to it.

Well done...

oops99

[knothead]

I have been scrolling for many years and trust me, it still scares the Be-Jeebers out of me when I snap a blade. I have calmed down the expletives over the years. I usually know its going to break but just want to get another inch or two.
Tom

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by knothead

I have been scrolling for many years and trust me, it still scares the Be-Jeebers out of me when I snap a blade. I have calmed down the expletives over the years. I usually know its going to break but just want to get another inch or two.
Tom

I'm right beside you on that.

I still jump to buggery and have to take a few minutes to settle