Silly question

[Dannyboy]

I have only just started to use the scroll saw, hence may- bee a silly question to most of you scrollers. I have seen some very nice scrolling , such as Animals for example or perhaps a horse, Ok , I know that I have to use a pattern, But this is the silly question, The shape is cut out, so then how do you create the details, I.E. Main, Tail, Eyes , ect , So not being an Artist, do it mean leave it alone.

Thanks All

Dannyboy

[Pajaro]

Not by any means. Can you give us a little more information about what you are cutting. If you mean how do you cut veining and inside cuts. You drill in the waste area. Let us know some more about what your doing.. Lot of talent out here to help you.

[jigsue]

Hi Danny Boy

I am not quite sure what sort of scrolling you are referring to, so will explain types:

1 - Fretwork - this is where a silhouette is cut out and the detail is in the cutting. This style is often used when patterns are made from portraits and the cutting is usually mounted onto a backer which highlights the detail

2 - Segmentation- this is where the pattern is cut from one piece of wood and the detail is often brought out by the use of colouring with paints or various dyes

3 - Intarsia - where the picture is made up of various types of wood, carefully cut to fit, with the wood grain chosen for its colour and grain markings markings to bring out the detail

Both segmentaion and intarsia pieces are often shaped using cutting tools, (carving tools, routers etc) and sanded to profile the pieces to provide the detail.

4 - Compound Cutting - this comprises of cutting out pieces in a block to produce 3d pieces. They are limited in size, due to the restrictions in the blade depths, but are fascinating when finished

If you look through the "scroller galleries" you will see many fine examples of all of the above plus jigsaw cuttings and other innovative and artistic creations using combinations of the three types of scrolling, along with traditional woodwork techniques.

There are lots of "beginners" books which will give instructions on the basic skills and from there on, your imagination is the only limitation. There are also magazines (unfortunately, there is no longer a UK publication), too. Subscribing to these gives lots of ideas and pattern variations, whereas many books concentrate on specific styles, once you have decided which one suits you best.

You will have lots of fun, probably make lots of designer firewood, but it is a fun, creative and satisfying hobby.

Good Luck

Sue

[Dannyboy]

Hi There, Many thanks for understanding me, I was not quite sure how to explain myself, But you have gave me a full explanation of what I need to Know, because I have only had the scroll saw for two weeks, and I`ve only been trying out how to cut ect. Firstly I did not know where to start, or what I wanted to choose to do.

But you have helped me a great deal, so rightly or wrongly, I think I will go for Fret design to start with. I do have a pattern downloaded from the internet, but the thing that I am not sure about, is the very small cut outs in between, hope you know what I mean ? do you just use a very small drill bit, oris there another way.
I hope that you will not take offence in me mailing you.

Many Thanks

Dannyboy

[Dannyboy]

Many thanks for your kind reply, I have decided that I will start with Fretwork as this seems to be the most popular to start with, I should have explained I have only had the saw two weeks, so don`t expect to much from me yet, any furthe advice will be most welcome

Dannyboy

[sawdustus]

Dannyboy, use a small drill bit to make a hole in the area you want to cut out, then attach one end of a blade to the saw, thread it through the hole, attach the other end and cut the area out. Then unhook one end of the blade, thread it through another hole, reattach the end and cut again.
Most of us try to use a 1/16" or 2mm bit if posssible but there are much smaller bits available if you need them.
Again, look at our scroller galleries to see examples of the types of work you can do. Enjoy.

Sawdustus

[Wood Dog]

Welcome to the forum Dannyboy.......have you considered a subscription to Scrollsaw Woodworking and Crafts magazine? You won't be sorry.......information, patterns, tips & tricks and just an overall wonderful magazine. Also check out Steve Goods web site for videos, patterns and more information. Most important have fun.
Scrollsaw Workshop

[Dannyboy]

Thanks to the above members, for the helpfull advice, I thought at the beginning some of you might think I was some kind of a nut, your responses so far are invaluable, Wood Dog, you have suggested the Magazine, I don`t think I would be able to get it in the UK, Nice if I could

Dannyboy

[Carter Johnson]

Danny, as you may have seen if you've looked over this board, I'm the guy who cuts jigsaw puzzles. In so doing, I never use a pattern, but rather let the color lines in the pictures determine my pieces. I highly recommend this as a way to learn about scrolling and develop your hand/eye coordination skills while producing something phun at same time.

Carter

[greatdane2]

Danny, welcome to this wonderfull site. There are others from the UK that get the magazine in the mail. They also have back issues on sale as a package. Each magazine has a wack of projects that cover all different types of projects to try. Each project comes with full size patterns,instructions and pictures. If you look at buying patterns the magazine is cheap. and it will help point you into what you find fun to do.
I try to spend an hour each day using the search button on top of this page and roaming around to see what others are doing.
Between this site and the magazine you have an overwelming amount of info availlable. There is no such thing as a stupid question, but idiots like me trying to be funny might give you a stupid answer. I started out buying a book in the grocers so you are way up on me by starting here. So ask away.

Alan.

Alan.