new - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

merle preslar · 01-03-2008, 02:10 AM

Before anything else, I'd like to say THANK YOU ALL for sharing all your tips and helping me get started with scroll sawing. I bought a P-20 in Aprip 07 and evrything i've cut has been a result of the things I learned here or on Rick H's site. Before I ask for help though, ) yes I have at least two or three questions), I thought I might share with you all some of the things I have learned here and maybe a couple of rules I made for myself thereby helping some other new scroll sawyers? scroll sawers? The best thing I learned other than to use FD blades was to raise the back of the saw so that the table was tilted forward. That worked so well that I went around the house and raised the back of everything. Gives you a whole new perspective on watching TV. However, the plants only get watered on one side. At least the wife now rolls toward me in the bed rather than the usual away. I put two blocks under the saw and it is really great. Now if I can just keep the work from sliding off, I'll be into something. My rule number 1. - Never scroll a straight line if you can use the table saw. Most of my straight lines look like night crawlers. Rule number 2.- Never scroll saw a circle if you can drill it. Some my best corners are within my circles.
Now for the serious stuff. I always have to cut about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch off my blades. They just don't seem to fit otherwise. Then after unclamping a few times and re-clamping, my blades develop a hook on the upper end that looks like a hockey stick. While I can live with these problems, ( I do with all my other problems) it sure makes getting the blade back through those tiny holes difficult. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Merle

lucky788scroller · 01-03-2008, 02:30 AM

Someone with a p-20 is sure to offer some help, Im not real familiar with that saw. Cutting straight lines is a difficult task, but get yourself adjusted so your real comfortable, make a dry run with your hands to be sure your situated right.Then start the cut, andkeep feeding the wood evenly, and watch your line ahead of the blade.That helps to keep you on track, otherwise once you realize your venturing off the line, its already to late to correct yourself without making it obvious.This works the same for circles. Some say circles are real easy all the way around except that last 1/8th inch where your cut should meet your starting point. Watching ahead of the cut a little ways will make that last 1/8th inch as easy as the first 1/8th inch. Good luck with the blade clamping issues. Dale

Huntter2022 · 01-03-2008, 02:37 AM

Welcome Merle
alot talent here for sure glad the group was able to help you out .

David

merle preslar · 01-03-2008, 03:53 AM

Thanks Lucky and Hunter,
Most of what I said was in humor(more or less). I'm sure I'll get he hang of circles and straight lines in a couple of years or so. In the mean time I'll just keep cutting. By the way, I'm in Washington state about 40 miles south of Seattle. I know there ar three or four more scrollers around here and am looking forward to meeting them. But they better hurry before bass fishing starts. That will be the down fall of my scroll sawing for awhile.

JimSawyer · 01-03-2008, 04:30 AM

About 15 years ago I had a friend over and he was checking out my saw, ( not my Dewalt but an adequate Japanese knock off of a better saw), he made the remark that I couldn't cut a perfectly straight line with it. At the time, he was right. Now, after many miles of following the line, I've often thought I'd like to bet him $20 that I could. My confidence after almost 18 years has increased. If you look in my gallery at the inscence burner and coaster holders, I made all of my miter cuts on my scrollsaw. The top of the inscence burner had four miters all of the way around, and not to toot my own horn, they came out perfect. But you'll know when you're ready for that. Miles, miles, and miles. It's not impossible, but difficult, (and nerve wracking). Just make that line your home for a few years, and has been said, "Keep your eye just ahead of the blade, BE the blade. One day you'll think you can cut anything.

scrolling_grandma · 01-04-2008, 01:49 AM

Welcome. And thanks for the humor. Just like everywhere else in life, a little humor helps out. You will be glad you joined this great group of people. I know that I am.

01-03-2008, 02:10 AM	#1
merle preslar Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	new Before anything else, I'd like to say THANK YOU ALL for sharing all your tips and helping me get started with scroll sawing. I bought a P-20 in Aprip 07 and evrything i've cut has been a result of the things I learned here or on Rick H's site. Before I ask for help though, ) yes I have at least two or three questions), I thought I might share with you all some of the things I have learned here and maybe a couple of rules I made for myself thereby helping some other new scroll sawyers? scroll sawers? The best thing I learned other than to use FD blades was to raise the back of the saw so that the table was tilted forward. That worked so well that I went around the house and raised the back of everything. Gives you a whole new perspective on watching TV. However, the plants only get watered on one side. At least the wife now rolls toward me in the bed rather than the usual away. I put two blocks under the saw and it is really great. Now if I can just keep the work from sliding off, I'll be into something. My rule number 1. - Never scroll a straight line if you can use the table saw. Most of my straight lines look like night crawlers. Rule number 2.- Never scroll saw a circle if you can drill it. Some my best corners are within my circles. Now for the serious stuff. I always have to cut about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch off my blades. They just don't seem to fit otherwise. Then after unclamping a few times and re-clamping, my blades develop a hook on the upper end that looks like a hockey stick. While I can live with these problems, ( I do with all my other problems) it sure makes getting the blade back through those tiny holes difficult. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Merle

01-03-2008, 02:37 AM	#3
Huntter2022 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brockport,Ny Posts: 613 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Welcome Merle alot talent here for sure glad the group was able to help you out . David __________________ David Excalibur 21

01-03-2008, 04:30 AM	#5
JimSawyer Laying into Inlay Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lincoln, RI Posts: 3,856 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	About 15 years ago I had a friend over and he was checking out my saw, ( not my Dewalt but an adequate Japanese knock off of a better saw), he made the remark that I couldn't cut a perfectly straight line with it. At the time, he was right. Now, after many miles of following the line, I've often thought I'd like to bet him $20 that I could. My confidence after almost 18 years has increased. If you look in my gallery at the inscence burner and coaster holders, I made all of my miter cuts on my scrollsaw. The top of the inscence burner had four miters all of the way around, and not to toot my own horn, they came out perfect. But you'll know when you're ready for that. Miles, miles, and miles. It's not impossible, but difficult, (and nerve wracking). Just make that line your home for a few years, and has been said, "Keep your eye just ahead of the blade, BE the blade. One day you'll think you can cut anything. __________________ Jim The limits of the imagination are imaginary. No task is too tedious for Art. Rock and Scroll My Gallery My Website Featherwood Woodcrafts

01-04-2008, 01:49 AM	#6
scrolling_grandma Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,249 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Welcome. And thanks for the humor. Just like everywhere else in life, a little humor helps out. You will be glad you joined this great group of people. I know that I am. __________________ Tammy Pressure makes diamonds

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

01-03-2008, 02:30 AM	#2
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,308 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Someone with a p-20 is sure to offer some help, Im not real familiar with that saw. Cutting straight lines is a difficult task, but get yourself adjusted so your real comfortable, make a dry run with your hands to be sure your situated right.Then start the cut, andkeep feeding the wood evenly, and watch your line ahead of the blade.That helps to keep you on track, otherwise once you realize your venturing off the line, its already to late to correct yourself without making it obvious.This works the same for circles. Some say circles are real easy all the way around except that last 1/8th inch where your cut should meet your starting point. Watching ahead of the cut a little ways will make that last 1/8th inch as easy as the first 1/8th inch. Good luck with the blade clamping issues. Dale

01-03-2008, 03:53 AM	#4
merle preslar Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Lucky and Hunter, Most of what I said was in humor(more or less). I'm sure I'll get he hang of circles and straight lines in a couple of years or so. In the mean time I'll just keep cutting. By the way, I'm in Washington state about 40 miles south of Seattle. I know there ar three or four more scrollers around here and am looking forward to meeting them. But they better hurry before bass fishing starts. That will be the down fall of my scroll sawing for awhile.