Replies

1. 
   Shel | Nov 17, 2003 05:16am | #1

   Just Woodworking Magazine sponsors a scroll saw forum you ought to look at. Shel

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 17, 2003 08:19am | #2

   Hi Shel.  Actually, I wandered over there right after I started this thread.  Seems like a pretty active section in the JWW forum!  Had to leave right away, as I was at work and got some customers, but going to toddle back over there.

   Boy, I thought table saw blade-selection was a challenge.  Scrollsaw blades, yikes!  It'd be nice if I could actually see the teeth, ROFL.  Them there eyes aren't what they used to be.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   Shel | Nov 17, 2003 06:10pm | #3

   For blades, I've been quite pleased with the Flying Dutchman brand available at mikesworkshop.com. [if this address is not correct, a Google search will get you there quickly].   Shel

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 17, 2003 08:38pm | #5

   Shel, Mike's place is great.  I spent quite a bit of time there yesterday.  I also printed out the Olson blade-selection charts, trying to make some specific choices.  I need blades that will produce an extra-smooth cut in stacked pieces.  The ornaments are about 5/8" thick (to provide room for a picture frame inserted in a Forstner hole).  I'm hoping to stack 4 with Alder, but only 3 with Oak.  The radii cuts required range from 1/8" up to 1-5/8", and there are some 180-degree turns and "veining."  I like the reverse tooth blades, and have finally figured out how to get them to stay in the darned holders!

   Flying Dutchman blades have come highly recommended!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   beck4000 | Nov 17, 2003 06:39pm | #4

   Hey try this site....both places..

   http://www.scrollsaw.com/patterns.htm

   http://www.xcelco.on.ca/~pec/index.html

   Has some great stuff in here....hope this helps you...

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 17, 2003 08:40pm | #6

   Thanks Beck, I'll bookmark those sites.  Right now, I'm OK on patterns (wish I'd started a few weeks ago so I could try more patterns), but will I'm sure be interested in trying more complicated things as time goes by.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   beck4000 | Nov 18, 2003 01:46am | #7

   You are so welcome..glad to help..I am kinda quiet here at knots...

   Only but in on occasion...

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 18, 2003 01:50am | #8

   Beck, do you scroll?  If so, what types of stuff?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   beck4000 | Nov 18, 2003 02:29am | #9

   YEs I do.. Not good at it. just got a new scroll saw last X-mas...but I love doing it and I use 1/4" plywood..I find the plywood seems to work the best...download some patterns from those two sites I gave you.... you know how to copy Right ,and save it...I have a Progecta Scope that I got from Lee Valley Tools, and then I use that to enlarge things to the size I need.....

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 18, 2003 06:22am | #10

   Cool, thanks Beck!  I just produced 3 tail-less mice (made the tail too thin) but the other 9 are lookin' good.  These are ornaments that hold a small round picture frame (like a watch bezel) for a pet's picture.  The dog-bones are waaayyyyy easier.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   beck4000 | Nov 18, 2003 02:03pm | #11

   Good for you... have another site for you....not sure If I sent you this..

   http://www.cherrytree-online.com/store/specials.asp

   try the progecta scope though, I use it all the time to make enlargements..

   beck2512

4. 
   beck4000 | Nov 18, 2003 03:16pm | #12

   Another cool site for you....

   http://groups.msn.com/scrollsawportraits/home.htm

   Join this site....teaches you about scroll sawing...

   Later Beck2512

2. 
   ian | Nov 18, 2003 03:51pm | #13

   FG

   a while ago FWW profiled a worker who almost exclusively made scrolled sawn ornaments.  One great time saver was to cut multiple copies of the shape at the same time by stacking the stock.  Useful?

   Ian

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 18, 2003 08:47pm | #14

   Yep, quite useful.  I'm stacking 4 with the alder and 3 with the oak.  These ornaments are thicker than usual since they have to accomodate a 1/4" deep Forstner hole for a round picture frame.  If I do any that don't have pictures in them, I'll be able to make them thinner and stack more (and more! and more!....oops, calm down, Jamie). 

   Just realized last night that there used to be a "foot" to help hold down the stock (looks like a giant sewing-machine foot) that for some reason is not present on the machine.  Have to dig around and see if I can find it.  No wonder my arms are so tired.

   Another timesaver I discovered at Lowe's Saturday night is Minwax spray one-step finish.  Stain and finish.  Great for small items.  Only potential problem is, I'm not finding it in any other stores, and Lowe's is the furthest away.  Hope they don't run out!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   JIM4417 | Nov 19, 2003 04:52am | #15

   A project I have been toying with for some time is to take digital profiles shots of my grand kids and apply them to both sides of thin plywood for ornaments which is cut to the profile.  The kicker comes in aligning the mirror images on the plywood. So far I have not produced a satisfactory registration.

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 19, 2003 10:27am | #17

   Jim, it seems you could probably put on picture on one side, cut the ornament and then apply the other picture afterward.  No?  If not, either I don't understand what you're attempting, or I'm just not all that clever this late at night, LOL.  LMK if that doesn't work, 'cause I have yet another idea.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   stancalow | Nov 19, 2003 06:15am | #16

   F-G

   Have you found a good reference book on scroll-sawing?  The ones I've looked at are big on projects and plans,  but not on technique or hardware.   

   Stan

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 19, 2003 10:45am | #18

   Stan, I know what you mean!  Patterns are everywhere!  My impression is that Patrick Spielman probably writes the best scroll saw books.  I have one of his "Scroll Saw Fretwork Techniques & Projects" written with James Reidle.  The techniques-related material is very helpful.  The projects are more detailed (fretwork) than I'm likely to ever get into.  Here's a page with his books pictured, note "The New Scroll Saw Handbook."  http://www.azwoodman.com/bookstore-spielman.html

   Here's a web site to check out:  http://www.pozsgaidesigns.com/page0011.htmThe first 3 books look like they'd have a useful chunk of How-to info, and I think I'll probably order at least 2 of them.

   Wish I'd come up with this inspiration a couple months ago!  I like to read before and during a plunge into new activity, but not this time.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)