Do you ever wonder how woodworkers get those beautifully intricate carved patterns into their designs? They get the job done with a scroll saw! With a scroll saw, any number of unique patterns can be incorporated into woodworking designs, and while a scroll saw, like a Henger scrollsaw, may not be the first piece of equipment a newbie woodworker should run out and buy for their shop, a scroll saw is a must for moving beyond the plain lines and edges. You can draw your own designs to use with scroll saws of course, but you can also used scroll saw patterns to create the same effect.
Tips for Using Scrollsaw Patterns - Cutting into wet wood won't work. Hold off on your scroll cutting until the wood is done dry. - You can make patterns larger or smaller to fit your piece of wood, of course, but you must be very precise. Remember that the perspective of the image will change as you change sizes as well, so take that into account. - You can discourage the wood from splitting when using scroll saw by putting a piece of plywood underneath when your saw is in action. - Stop every once in a while during the cutting process and make sure everything is on track and that you know what your next move will be. - Finish with sandpaper to make your wood smooth. - Don't get too cocky. Even if you have been woodworking for awhile, working with a scroll saw is new territory. Practice your hand on simple designs and take your time so you can correct any mistakes as you go, before you pass the point of no return. - If you're working with many pieces of wood, take time out every now and then to make sure everything is lining up. - When you need a breather, take one. Once you use the saw, there is no turning back, so tired eyes won't cut it (no pun intended). Likewise, if you've had enough caffeine to make you jump out of your skin, wait until your hands are steadier.
Scoll saw patterns can be found online, often for little to no cost, and you can also find tons and tons of books filled with scroll saw patterns. Once you find the right pattern for the job, use a pencil to trace the pattern onto your wood, so you can follow it as you saw.
Tips for Using Scrollsaw Patterns - Cutting into wet wood won't work. Hold off on your scroll cutting until the wood is done dry. - You can make patterns larger or smaller to fit your piece of wood, of course, but you must be very precise. Remember that the perspective of the image will change as you change sizes as well, so take that into account. - You can discourage the wood from splitting when using scroll saw by putting a piece of plywood underneath when your saw is in action. - Stop every once in a while during the cutting process and make sure everything is on track and that you know what your next move will be. - Finish with sandpaper to make your wood smooth. - Don't get too cocky. Even if you have been woodworking for awhile, working with a scroll saw is new territory. Practice your hand on simple designs and take your time so you can correct any mistakes as you go, before you pass the point of no return. - If you're working with many pieces of wood, take time out every now and then to make sure everything is lining up. - When you need a breather, take one. Once you use the saw, there is no turning back, so tired eyes won't cut it (no pun intended). Likewise, if you've had enough caffeine to make you jump out of your skin, wait until your hands are steadier.
Scoll saw patterns can be found online, often for little to no cost, and you can also find tons and tons of books filled with scroll saw patterns. Once you find the right pattern for the job, use a pencil to trace the pattern onto your wood, so you can follow it as you saw.
About the Author:
Clinton Maxwell works normally for http://www.insidewoodworking.com , a website covering information on scroll saw designs . You might come across his abstracts on free scroll saw patterns and scroll saw designs on his site. You can get a unique content version of this article.
No comments:
Post a Comment