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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: GrayBeard on April 29, 2010, 08:41:14 pm
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Is it speed, blade choice, pushing on the wood to get it to cut, blade squareness to the table, etc.????
I think my vote would be for TENSION!
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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Tough question. probably will get a lot of different answers. I think for me it is learning how to make the blade not cut. Learning to make quick turns while not letting the blade continue to cut. Learning to use the side and back of the blade to pivot while the blade is not cutting is one of the last skills that most new scrollers learn. As a matter of fact many scrollers just start doing it without even recognizing what they are doing. Once you have this skill your control gets much better.
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Steve has a good point. I cut for years before I realized I was doing this.
Everything you listed is equally important. When you combine them all together you're an accomplished Scroller!
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I'd agree everything listed is equally important, but most importantly in my book would be to be patient in your learning of these skills and not give up.
Greg
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Yes I would agree it is all equally important. Plus the three P's. Patients, Practice, Persistance. 8)
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This goes along with everyone's answer. The most important thing for me is practice. I had a lot of trouble with proper tension like Graybeard mentioned. But once I got a feel for my machine I stopped thinking about what tension to use. I am still a novice but the more I cut, the better I get.
Barry
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I agree with what others have already contributed. I would add, it is extremely important to learn not to be so critical of your work. Remember how many people you make smile with your gifts. They do not see the flaws only the good intention.
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watch your fingers :D
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I am with everyone on the board here so far. Especially with Mike when he states not to criticize your work so much. Only you will see the tiniest flaw, that is only because you know where it is. I have made mistakes and broke pieces off that could not be glued back together without looking really bad. I have learned just to clean up the area, stand back and look really hard at the where broke area was. Not too bad.
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Hey Patch, where did you get the plans for that cut??
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I too tend to be very critical of my cutting. I try to picture the finished piece rather than the pattern-covered wood I'm working on. Many times I thought something looked terrible till I peeled the paper bits away at the end and found something to be proud of..Also..The right blade for the wood you're cutting is very important..Jon
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When cutting wood down, so it will work on the scroll saw, count your fingers when your done. I can only count to 9 7/8 because of this. ( I hit four fingers - but the 7/8 was gone.)
I've been making saw dust since I was 13 - I'm 62 now and this happened 6 years ago.
I know what your thinking -Dummy ! Your SO right.
Vince
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I am actually surprised that I have not seen Eye protection listed yet! If you dont have your eyes it may be very difficult to scroll! ;D
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I'm supprised that no one mentioned COMFORT! I know for me, if I'm not sitting (or standing) in a comfortable position, scrolling becomes an effort. Every thing seems to go easier and better if your feet (or other parts of your body) are not in pain.
When my back starts to ache, it is harder and harder to make nice cuts in the wood. So, I take five, grab a bottle of water, stroll around the shop or house or yard for five minutes or so and when I get back to the saw "Things go better with a rest" ;D (I think Coke stole my saying :D)
Rog
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I too am in agreement with everything I have read here. I especially agree with the don't be to critical of your own work advice. I do it as a hobby and give everything away and it is gratifying to see how pleased people are that you would take the time to make something just for them.
Gary
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Yes I would agree it is all equally important. Plus the three P's. Patients, Practice, Persistance. 8)
I'm with Russ on this! The three P's!
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For me it is "pushing the wood"... I'm still not sure that I do that right. I've never had an experienced scroll sawer see me work. I think I might push too hard. But maybe it's because I wasn't waxing or putting Pam on the table. I'm learning a lot here. Thanks everyone! :D
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Janet, does it really seem to you that your pushing the wood? Maybe the machine is too slow or your blade needs to be changed. Maybe, and I have found this true with me, is your blade aligned with your table? I had to adjust my set screws slightly (considering I haven't for about three years now) here recently. Waxing your table should also help. I am not pushing anymore. The wood just glides along, well except when I get off the line. LOL.
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Hey Patch, where did you get the plans for that cut??
A book named scroll saw for dummy's good one Crusty59 I like a good laugh
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Boy I could write a book "How to scroll saw by a dummy". I think my body takes naps while I scroll. LOL
Vince
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I believe my hardest thing to get right was tension. Steves audio on the sound when plucked helped me. I am still to critical of what I do, But I have also learned, once you peel the pattern off, no one knows if you cut outside the lines but you.
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All of the mechanics of it are important of course but the most important to me is whether the piece is perfect or not it is the serenity and peace and quite. It takes me "away" better than calgon.
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OK, I am going to say something that I didn't see mentioned here yet . . . I think have a clean, organized work area is the most important thing when doing any kind of woodworking - especially scrollsawing which takes lots of concentration. (OK, I hear the moans and groans from some of you!) I hear these people brag sometimes that 'a clean shop means it isn't productive! Blah, blah, blah . . . ' I give that a BIG Wrong! I have seen shops that make shivers literally go down my spine. I'm not talking a little dust, guys and girls - I'm talking MESS and CLUTTER. I don't know about you, but when I am cutting something out, I don't want to have to worry about what the vibration is knocking off from the table next to me or moving a cord so it is on the other side of the saw and not blocking the light. Once your shop is organized, it takes only a few minutes to put stuff back where it goes and do a quick sweep or vac when you are done. I like coming in the next time with my tools clean and where they are supposed to be. I can't concentrate on cutting if I am frustrated from searching for the right tool or blade or tripping over stuff. It all starts in your head, folks. Clear minds are better able to concentrate on the task at hand and HAVE FUN! :) So be clean, stay safe and have a ball! :)
Sheila
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Scroll Girl.... Huzzah!!! My house can be a mess but my shop has to be clean before I cut.
I have a nasty habit of sunflower seeds when I cut. I have to clean after every days cutting.
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You know Sheila, I thought I liked you, till now! ::) Just kidding. My shop would give you shivers! Every time I make time to clean it some thing more important comes up.
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Awww . . . .! I just want to see everyone safe! :-\
Sheila
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KNOWLEDGE...It's the one word that I could think of that encompasses everything...The more you continue to learn, the more you can tweak your technique,providing improvements to the process which leads to an increase in the quality of the final product; which is the ultimate objective.
I think it's just as important to know what DOESN'T work, as it is to know what does work.
I also find that it helps to know that there are times that you should put off cutting until a better time (don't cut when you're already frustrated about something else; don't cut when you're rushed for time; don't cut when you already know that your on-hand supplies won't support the desired results)...Also, I find that I won't cut after cocktails; not only for the obvious potential hazards, but when (I said when, not if) the cuts don't come out right, it gives just one more excuse why it happened.