Basic's - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

lakeside · 11-20-2009, 04:46 PM

I'm getting back to trying my hand at scrolling again - just made 42 silouete raindeer as Christams Gifts - picked up an old copy of the Scrolling mag. Got excited, order blades from Pozsgai's Designs - Scroll Saw - look like good prices and got great service, order plywood and stuff from Sloan's Woodshop - " The Scroll Saw Store " - again great service. Now for the meat of the issue - Blade Selection, Blade tension and speed. I'm using a RBI VS22. The Olson chart - to much info for a novice. I want to make Orniments, got 1/4" good plywood. What speed etc do you use? I tried one of the Mach 1 blades - #3 - wow NICE! Thoughts please!

Bill Wilson · 11-20-2009, 07:03 PM

Generally speaking, cutting thin stock, with a sharp, aggressive blade, I would suggest you go slow. Use the speed that gives you the best control and is comfortable for you. There is no right or wrong answer. If you find you are having trouble with overcutting, straying form the line, etc, then you may want to slow down. Once you get more comfortable, you can speed up. It really is that simple, IMHO.

lakeside · 11-20-2009, 07:11 PM

By speed you are refering to Variable Speed or Feed Rate Speed - thinking about it both are applicable.

saw dust · 11-21-2009, 03:28 AM

I believe you would want to do both. Slow down the speed and also don't try to push to fast. Slow down and as you get use to cutting, the speed will show up naturally. Just my thoughts. saw dust

lucky788scroller · 11-22-2009, 01:39 AM

Id run the saw about mid speed, and Id stack cut two or three 1/4th inch layers at a time.

11-20-2009, 04:46 PM	#1
lakeside Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pointblank, Texas Posts: 60	Basic's I'm getting back to trying my hand at scrolling again - just made 42 silouete raindeer as Christams Gifts - picked up an old copy of the Scrolling mag. Got excited, order blades from Pozsgai's Designs - Scroll Saw - look like good prices and got great service, order plywood and stuff from Sloan's Woodshop - " The Scroll Saw Store " - again great service. Now for the meat of the issue - Blade Selection, Blade tension and speed. I'm using a RBI VS22. The Olson chart - to much info for a novice. I want to make Orniments, got 1/4" good plywood. What speed etc do you use? I tried one of the Mach 1 blades - #3 - wow NICE! Thoughts please!

11-20-2009, 07:03 PM	#2
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 699	Generally speaking, cutting thin stock, with a sharp, aggressive blade, I would suggest you go slow. Use the speed that gives you the best control and is comfortable for you. There is no right or wrong answer. If you find you are having trouble with overcutting, straying form the line, etc, then you may want to slow down. Once you get more comfortable, you can speed up. It really is that simple, IMHO. __________________ Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter. Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

11-22-2009, 01:39 AM	#5
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,354	Id run the saw about mid speed, and Id stack cut two or three 1/4th inch layers at a time. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-20-2009, 07:11 PM	#3
lakeside Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pointblank, Texas Posts: 60	By speed you are refering to Variable Speed or Feed Rate Speed - thinking about it both are applicable.

11-21-2009, 03:28 AM	#4
saw dust Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,290	I believe you would want to do both. Slow down the speed and also don't try to push to fast. Slow down and as you get use to cutting, the speed will show up naturally. Just my thoughts. saw dust