New saw

[LouF]

Hi everyone I have my first scroll saw I bought a new Ryobi 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw. I got a great deal on it so I could not pass it up. Ok since I am a newbie what would be a good project to start with. I am ready to get started.

LOU

[workin for wood]

Can't tell you what to cut, I don't even know what type of style of scrolling that you like. All I can say is congrats on the new saw and happy scrolling !

[lucky788scroller]

just practice on a piece of wood to get the feel of the sawing, and familiarize yourself with its operation and its controls. Try writing your name on the piece of wood and scroll it . That teaches you a lot. Congrats on the new tool, and welcome to the forum. Dale

[MikeDingas]

Lou, find some books by Spielman and you'll find some good practive patterns. Don't get discouraged and keep at it. It's not really that hard. It's also one of the safest power tools you can use.

Most will agree with my next statement. Ditch the hold-down. It will get in your way constantly. Get used to having your fingers close to the blade. I've nicked myself a time or two and hardly broke the skin.

Do you remember how you were taught to cut a circle in paper? Rotate the paper, not the scissors? Scrolling curves is just like that, cause if you try to rotate the saw you end up tripping on the power cord (groan!!!)

[Carter-Johnson]

Lou.......I hope you get good advice for finding patterns to get started, BUT, don't get locked in to only cutting if you have a pattern. Try some freehand stuff. Cut a giraffe, an arrow, a teddy bear, a bell, a question mark, etc. etc, without a pattern. Learn how to connect your free-thinking mind with your fingertips. It will serve you well when you need it down the road.

Have phun.....Carter

[PuzzledMoose]

Silhouettes from the internet are a good source of shapes to practice on too .. just do an image search for (for instance) "silhouette" "animal" and you should find quite a few ...

[LouF]

I will do that look up Silhouettes on the net. Thanks Ian, whats the easyest way to transfer over a drawning to the lumber piece that I am going to cut?

Lou

[Bill Wilson]

There are several popular methods for transferring the pattern to the wood. One of the most common is to make a photocopy of the pattern, spray the back of the paper with a temporary bond adhesive and stick it to the wood.

As mentioned, books by Patrick Spielman are good resources for lots of basic patterns. He covers most of the various scrolling styles (fretwork, basic intarsia, portraits, etc), so you can get an idea of what kind of projects you like.

Also, kids coloring books are also a good source of simple outline patterns to help you get started and get used to the saw.

Good luck and have fun making sawdust!

[Rolf]

I would suggest getting, guys help me out here, a book by I think John Nelson that has a lot of test patterns. It also introduces you to inlay cutting and various other aspects of scrolling.
It is a great learning tool that I wish I would of had when I started.
I was lucky to have a local club filled with master scrollers.

[LouF]

Thanks for the information, what is a good spray adhesive to use? Sorry for all the questions but as I say I am new to all this. What would be a good place to get some blades and what types.All I have is some pined blades that came with the saw. My saw will take pined or non pined blades. The blades that came with the saw seem to be quite wide to make some of those tight small cuts. I sent in for Scroll Saw magazine from this site can't wait to get it. Thanks again for all your help.


Lou

[Dragon]

Welcome Lou and keep asking those questions.
Took me 6 months to build up the confidence to take off that holder and after I did, that's when I started to really scroll.
Diane

[Albert]

I think that the book Rolf is thinking of is: "Scrollsaw Workbook". I got mine from:

http://www.mikesworkshop.com/newprod.htm

Personally, I just sit down with about a 6"x6" piece of baltic birch each night and draw squigglies and jaggies from one side to another and then cut them. I get about 5 rows of practice lines per piece. This can take me about an hour, depending how hard I am on myself. Have fun.

[Bill Wilson]

No worries about asking questions here. This is a great site and no question should go unasked.

As for brands of spray adhesives, the 3 most common ones I see mentioned are 3M 77, Duro, Krylon. I personally like Krylon, but it's usually a matter of what is readily available in your area.

Try looking though some of the old threads about blades down in the Tools and Blades forum. There should be plenty that will have lots of opinions and information. Blade discussions tend to get a little spirited as folks have their personal preferences. For general information, I recommend visiting Mike Moorlach and Rick Hutcheson's sites. They have lots of good educational information regarding blade types, sizes and proper application. There are links to their sites right from this site.

[LouF]

Thanks guys for the help. This is a great site with great People. Well got to run and get some adhesive and some wood to practice wth,time to have some fun.

Lou

[Mick Walker]

Lou another good practice is to cut all the letters in the alphabet. You will be an expert by the the time you get to Z. Just go into WORD, pick a simple font and the size you want and print them. Glue them to a piece of wood and start cutting. I use the Duro brand spray glue. Spray it on the back of your pattern not on the wood. Just follow the instructions on the container. Practice, practice, practice and good luck.