Felt Help - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

sgimbel · 08-14-2008, 09:08 PM

I'm finally trying to finish up some first scrolling attempts. Some I mounted stained wood on and cut them when I did the outline and they are fine. Others I want to just mount felt on the back. I used spray glue and the felt is attached very good. Now how do I trim the felt to the outline of the scroll work? I did some eagles in the "leaves" patterns so there are lots of curves to cut felt away from. Did I totally screw up? Do I have to mount the felt to a wood backing and then cut the outline together? Help!!!!!!!!

Pajaro · 08-14-2008, 09:32 PM

Or get a hobby knife. and trim it off. very time consuming.

NC Scroller · 08-15-2008, 02:51 AM

Been there. I have cut some of the woodland leaf patterns and yes those you temporarily attach the backing, cut the outside pattern, remove the backing and cut the inside. Sorry I know that was not the answer you wanted to hear.

Jediscroller · 08-15-2008, 03:42 AM

I use some very good scissors and take my time with the soft felt. I back a lot of stuff with felt. I've been using stuff lately called "EZ-Felt" and it's a stiff felt. It works great for felt backings. I use a box cutter to trim is away. What's nice is that there's no fuzzies to deal with.

lucky788scroller · 08-15-2008, 04:34 AM

First of all...no, you didnt totally screw up! Totally screwing up would be buying the tools, and never trying. As for using the felt, the only thing I can suggest is trying to put a waste piece of ply under the felted leaf, and running a blade around it on your saw (blade speed pretty high)so the blade just rubs against the leafs edge.Hopefully that will trim it.The waste piece under it is just for support, and shouldnt need gluing on just for this.If not, you may consider removing the felt, and displaying them with no backer at all.They look nice that way too! Theres always more than one right way, so no, not a total loss!

Fremmed · 08-15-2008, 05:31 AM

Sounds like a job for Exacto Man! <LOL> You might want to remove the felt (mineral spirits in moderation or maybe heat) and using a new piece, cut to size and then reapply.

JohnB · 08-15-2008, 06:48 AM

Here's a bit of a tip which I have used for cutting fabric and styrene.
Grab a largish blade, maybe a #12 and grind the teeth of it, giving the blade a knife edge.
Fit it in you machine and placing your felted work upside down on the table run around the edge.

A word of warning............. Be bloody careful, as the blade no longer has teeth to grab your finger and give warning, it will just slice and if you have a keen edge you won't even feel it.

minowevie · 08-15-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgimbel

I'm finally trying to finish up some first scrolling attempts. Some I mounted stained wood on and cut them when I did the outline and they are fine. Others I want to just mount felt on the back. I used spray glue and the felt is attached very good. Now how do I trim the felt to the outline of the scroll work? I did some eagles in the "leaves" patterns so there are lots of curves to cut felt away from. Did I totally screw up? Do I have to mount the felt to a wood backing and then cut the outline together? Help!!!!!!!!

Scott. you could use some embroidery sisars. the ones that bend at the point,slanting down to the handale. that will give you the curves. and points. they are very sharp. and cut right against the wood. on the felt. you could also use this cool rottery tool ,useing the smallist ones. you can slant them right into the wood. watch out for you fingures. and don't tighten the wheel to tight. these work great. and can cut through leather. alawys close when not in use. you could also use a rasor blade. cutting on the back of the felt side, right against the wood on the flelt. your friend Evie