Beginners aggravtion

[bobbatt]

Well I finally got some extra time to get familiar with the 788. I felt like I was just wasting wood when I started. I couldn't get the dang blade to go where I wanted it to. I was trying to cut a fairly simple pattern for my wife for Valentines Day. I have practiced cutting on waste wood and really thought I had it down pat, LOL. Until I tried following a pattern. That's a whole different deal. I had to toss the first two, cutting straight thru an important part of the pattern. I started not doing a third but I got up today and thought one more time. This one went pretty smooth. yeah it won't win any awards but by golly I made it all the way thru the pattern without any screw up, YIPPEE!!!. I now know the only way I'm gonna better is by cutting patterns. I just thought I would use this chance to encourage any other beginners that gets annoyed that things are going to plan

[determined]

Keep at it. Take a break when things aren't going well and then come back to it. Mistakes will still happen years from now too. Have fun. Don't give up.

[gfleenor]

Be sure to save that piecee you just completed so you can look back and see how far you have come in a few months or years.
Gary

[Huntter2022]

Relax and enjoy .
Sometimes you need to back up and check to see if the blade slipped in the holder adjust tension , slow down feeding it .
Keep on a cutting

[sawdustus]

If at first you don't succeed, take a coffee break and then try again. After 12+ years, I am still making mistakes and gluing them back in place.

george

[NC Scroller]

Relax. Take your time. Scroll sawing is a lot about feel and developing a rhythm. Like driving a car don't look at where you are or have been but look ahead in the line. It all takes time but it is worth it.

[WoodCarverOH]

I also find it easier to follow my cut lines if I convert my patterns to red line patterns.
I just import them into Rapid ReSizer then change print to red line.

[Carter-Johnson]

Another suggestion. Don't rely exclusively on patterns. Cut some things freehand. Try cutting out a giraffe, an arrow, a wiggly snake, anything that gets you used to freely operating the saw with different kinds of cuts. It will increase your skill and help to improvise if you have to.

Good luck..... Carter

[Wood Dog]

Well she's well worth the effort Bob, congrats on your success. Practice, practice, practice.
Sign and date your work, you will see how much improved you get the more you do.
......and by the way, we certainly would love to see your cutting, if you choose to post a photo.

[Jim Finn]

I know that my cutting improved when I started putting packing tape on the underside of the wood. Allowed the wood to slide a lot easier so turns were much easier to make.

[Paul Shank]

I Have to keep on keeping and keeping trying I want to cut a round circle Which cuts down on my sanding I found the 788 is not the problem . I have been turning on lathe much harder on scroll saw I just have to keep on keeeping on I am newbie

[RichB]

I know what you are talking about. This may help when making turns and stopping. I put a line on my table in line with the teeth on the blade. Now when I turn I know about where to stop in the turn and proceed in a different direction. It works great for 90 degree turns.

[Rolf]

Make sure your blade is at the correct tension and take your time the rest will come with practice.
How thick was your wood and what blade are you using. Very thin wood and an agressive blade makes things very challenging.

[tagordy]

i have a tip that might help some beginners out as well…i’m not sure what’s causin it, but lately while cutting, some of the adhesive from the packing tape i use on the bottom of my pattern blank, is transferring to the table of the saw, making it hard at times to make those turns in the pattern…a couple of weeks ago i decided to try something, as i always am thinking of ways to improve my scrolling…i still use the packing tape on the back of my blank, but now i also add a sheet of waxed paper…i just spray it down with the adhesive, lay the blank on it, then trim the edges….man, it’s so much easier now, for me to make any turn i need to make….

[NC Scroller]

Just make VERY VERY VERY sure the wood and the wax paper never meet. Wax on the wood will act as a sealer/finish and prevent other applied finishes from sticking resulting in a blotchy look.