First Project

[Michael Moscicki]

This is the welcome sign from the scrollsawer website. It is shrunk to a 1/4 of the page as opposed the whole page. As a result some of the areas became really fragile and even the slightest deviation from the line cut them off.

Later on, I'll try the full size pattern and see how I do.

See pictures below:

[wood-n-things]

Congrats on your first project. You just need some practice. Don't get discouraged.

Just a tip...

Here is the preferred way to post photos. This method will apply a thumbnail so that messages load faster, keeping those who are still on dial up in mind.

If it is a new thread scroll down below the message box to additional options and look for manage attachments,Click on Manage Attachments, click Browse, find your file name on your computer, click it, then click Upload. It may take a few seconds to load.
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If you are uploading a picture to an existing thread (conversation)
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Good luck

[Michael Moscicki]

Pictures are here.

[lucky788scroller]

Dont get discouraged, and dont get in a rush! I would suggest you go to a way smaller size blade, the one in the picture looks like a ginormous size blade. Try a smaller blade, and adjust the saws speed down or up to a speed YOU feel comfortable with. It all takes a little practice and patience (and sometimes a bit of luck), but it comes pretty quick once you get the right combination of blade, speed, feed rate, etc.

[Bill Wilson]

Like Dale said, a smaller blade would benefit you greatly on this pattern. Also, looks like you were using a spiral. If so, I would suggest a straight blade, either a #2 or #3 reverse tooth. I think you will find that it will be much easier to get better results.

[Fretnot]

Hi Michael. As most people have commented the blade you are using is far to big. having the right blade is half the battle but also having the right speed as well. If I were you i would practice on scrap pieces of wood, practice tight turns and corners. I have made the same sign and this is how it should end up. Keep at it and don't give up.

[Michael Moscicki]

The blade isn't a spiral. It's just one of the blades that I received with the saw. I have ordered the assortment pack from Mike's(don't have it yet), so hopefully a different blade would help.

Does it matter that I shrunk the pattern or should that have no bearings on the end result?

[fireglass]

The smaller it is the harder to cut.Lance

[Bill Wilson]

By shrinking the pattern, you effectively made it somewhat more diffficult, because the bridges are now smaller than the full size version. It will require more precision with the cutting, because there is less margin for error. However, looking at the pre-sawing pic, it doesn't appear to me that the piece is too small to be cut, but the full size pattern would definitely be easier.

One other thing I would suggest; drill smaller entry holes. On a couple of them, it looks like the edge of the entry hole may overlap some of the bridges a little bit. Coupled with some tearout on the back side, around the drilled hole, this will make those bridges even more fragile.