Practicing techniques

[BobD (Archive)]

I'm not trying to advertise our book or anything like that...but I'm really impressed with the beginning technique practice exercise in John Nelson's Scroll Saw Workbook. I just took a class on scrolling, and the instructor suggested we really spend some time working on just the first exercise in the book--which is essentially just a series of lines drawn on paper. There are straight lines, s-curves and places to rotate.

I've cut three of them...and have seen a marked increase in my scrolling skills. I can now rotate on a dime (leaving just the smallest of teardrops) and follow a line better. I can also smooth out my "mistakes" where I slipped off the line much more smoothly.

Just thought I would share my observations with all the other beginners out there!!!

Bob

[3_M]

Hi Bob,

If you check with Cindi she will tell you that I buy a lot of the books. Have never had any complains. Some scrollers who have been scrolling for some years have told me that they still learned from the book. It sure is one of the better once on the market. John Nelson did a great job.
It is on my web site onder "Accessories".

Mike M

[sheltiecarver]

Bob,
I've been recommending John's book almost since I bought it. It is really well thought out, and a real confidence builder. With my new (well, practically new!) Hawk and blades from Mike, folks seem to think I am some kind of expert, and come to me for help and instruction. As all addicts do, I guess, I am happy to spread the addiction. I find it especially helpful in starting new women sawyers - somehow the gender programming that a lot of them bought into says "Be afraid of tools. They will do you great bodily harm" Yet they blissfully work in a kitchen full of dangerous objects, without any more than a thought about the potential for boo boos. John's first exercise helps to cure the "white knuckle syndrome" with folks. When they've done it a few times, in different materials, they actually smile!
I agree - a top-notch book. If you had something to do with it, congrats!! (If you didn't, we think you're great anyway.)
Sandy

[Poppie]

I guess no matter how experienced or old we are we can always learn something. So it's back to school for me with John Nelson's book. Has anyone out there tried those scroll saw files that are out there? Just wondering?
Ray

[BobD (Archive)]

Ray,

we've got some here in the office, but I haven't tried them yet--when I do, I'll let you know!

I didn't have anything to do wiht John's book--that was before my time. But I think it's great!

Bob

[GrayBeard Phil]

BobD:

Just to stick my oar in the discussion:

Lately, I have noticed that as I am building up my skill level, if I do warm up sawing first, say 5 minutes of sawing calisthenics, when I move on to the main project I saw a lot better. I also use up scrap wood and get a little more use out of used blades.

For me, it is still a fight to cut long curve lines with out "micro-adjustments". I need a few test cuts at the start of a session. The results on the main project are lots better cutting, and a lot less frustrations.

Since I am learning Corel Draw, and I needed a Corel Draw exercise for that learning curve, I created a skill building warm up exercise for the scroll saw. I would be willing to share my warm-ups, as I can export from Corel Draw into Adobe PDF file format.

Unfortunately, I cannot upload to this site due to a 19KB limit on PDF files, and another limit on ZIP files. I would need the PDF limit set to about 225KB for me to upload the full PDF file; limit set to 190KB for me to upload each page as a seperate PDF file. Exporting to other formats turned out ...(and so on and so forth.)

So, Bob, if you would like I could send you the PDF file in an email attachment, and then maybe you could figure out how to post the three pages on to some new design exchange area, member gallery PDF design posting folder, or just put in the free patterns area of this site.

Or if you, or Rob, and another suggestion, let me know.

Phil

[3_M]

Ray,
I sold them at one time and due to very low sales I discontinued them. I learned however from many scrollers that some are buying the nail files. Some make their own by cutting a hack saw blade to lenght and glue sand paper to it. One told me that he used some scroll saw blade and glued sand paper on them.
Mike M

[Poppie]

Mike, Thanks for the info. It sounds like those are two good alternatives and I'll be sure to give them a try.
Ray

[admin]

Phil,

Thanks for the Scroll Saw Calisthenics PDF. I've attached the pdf below. Going forward you shouldn't have a problem uploading pdf's.

Note... new PDF version available on Pge 2 of this thread.

Thanks,
Rob

[3_M]

Hi Rob,

Did you clicked on the PDF file? When I do it, this comes up "File does not begin with '%PDF'
Mike M

[GrayBeard Phil]

PDF file error

There seems to be an error in the PDF file.

I can open my copy of the file from my hard drive, but the browser version of adobe's reader seems to have a problem.

Let me try a uplaoding the PDF file again.

Phil

PS. from what I have read so far, compatability only will go back to adobe version 5.0.

edit history:
1 - remove bad file
2 - try version 2 file
3 - remove v 2 pdf file
4 - Try Version 3, seperate pages
5 - Remove Version 3, but gained information.
6 - Version 4 upload
7 - confirm V4 is functional

FYI: in the Corel Draw export to PDF settings, if "optimize for Web" is checked, then only a single page per PDF file will be correctly functional. Unselect "optimize for Web" and multi page file appears fully functional. Go figure.

[wwalker47]

Good PDF

I down loaded the PDF and it looks real good. I use Adobe6. It prints very good, very crisp.

Thanks, Phil

[admin]

Hi Mike,

I did some research on the error message below. There are a lot of variables that could cause this error and not an easy one to track down. One of the issues could be with AOL. Do you use AOL?

In addition, Phil do you use AOL?


Thanks,
Rob

[3_M]

Hi Rob,

I don't use AOL.

Mike M

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

It works fine for me