Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Delicate Love You Heart Scroll Saw Pattern. Technique Discussion.


 Download Below

I received an email yesterday asking for tips on cutting delicate fretwork. I made up this Love You Heart pattern to show some of the techniques I use to help prevent breakage while cutting.

This piece is just over six inches tall. The top curl on the Y, the end of the e and the end of the u are all potential breaks. The heart is only 1/16" thick so that takes some care also. It is cut from 1/2" thick soft maple.

My first decision was to choose a wood with a relatively tight grain. Something like red oak with its open grain breaks way too easy for this pattern. You could cut this pattern in red oak but I would not choose to.

Next, I decided to use a #1 reverse tooth blade. The small blade will turn easily in a small space. This helps prevent chatter while turning and minimizes the chance of grabbing the wood with too much force to hold it down. A lite touch is important.

Interior cut order:

The image below shows the order that I made the cuts. I am starting with the small interior cuts that do not have fragile pieces. If I were to cut 7 first I have a greater chance of breaking the top curl of the Y while I make the next cuts. Same with 8. I am just trying to plan the cuts to keep as much material to hold on to as possible.


Don't remove the waste if it can be helpful:

In the picture below I have cut #7 but I am not going to remove the waste. Leaving the waste in place will help keep the fragile top curl of the Y from breaking while I continue to make cuts. Simply remove the blade and go to the interior cut for #8.


The last cut will be the exterior cut. I am going to leave the waste from 7 and 8 inside the cut to protect the Y and the e.

Starting the exterior cut with the waste from 7 and 8 still in place.

You want to be as accurate as possible to keep the thin parts at least as thick as the pattern. If you cut inside the pattern line then when you make the opposite cut at that point cut just outside the pattern line to keep the thickness.  

I said earlier that a lite touch is important. It is easy to grab a fragile part of the wood while you are making a turn and break the piece. Pay careful attention to only hold the large areas of the wood when possible. 

Sometimes you can use your first finger of one hand to support a fragile part while you cut. Just lightly lay your finger on the fragile piece while you cut around it. You have to get your finger right next to the blade so learn to not be afraid of the blade. At worst you may get a nick or small cut. This machine will not do major damage. 

Of course, the saw you are using can make a difference. This is one area where a better saw will make your life easier. I have nothing against entry-level saws but if the vibration is bad then your chances of breaking a fragile pattern are higher.

The aggressiveness of the saw can also make a difference. Most modern saws have a front to back movement of the blade. The more the blade moves front to back the more aggressive the cut. Fine fretwork is easier with a less aggressive cut. Some saws like the DeWalt are aggressive and do not have an adjustment to minimize the front to back movement. Other saws like the Excalibur class saws do have some adjustment to change the front to back movement.

You also want to double-check that the blade is 90 degrees to the table before to start to cut. If the blade is at an angle you are in trouble with very thin cuts. Make sure the blade is centered in the clamps and the table or head has no tilt.

The blade is also more important when cutting fragile fretwork. You should always use high-quality blades but delicate fretwork will show the disadvantages of poor quality blades quickly. Good blades are cheaper in the long run so don't cheat yourself.

If you practice good technique you will have much better results and less breakage. 

Sorry for the long-winded post but I hope a few of these tips will help you feel more comfortable tackling more advanced projects. 

Marathon Micro Motor Winner!


Bear Woods sponsored a giveaway for their Marathon Micro Motor and Starter kit. This is a fantastic tool. I recently got one and am having fun learning the ins and outs of power carving.

The Winner Is..... Jerry Hundley of Atlanta Georgia.

It's almost time for the Klingspor Woodworking Extravaganza:


This is a reminder that I will be attending the Klingspor Woodworking Extravaganza, October 25 and 26 2019 in Hickory NC. The event is held at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. Click the information link for all the details.

I will be hosted by the Carolina Scrollers group in their booth. If you have the opportunity to attend I would love to meet you and talk shop. I have not attended this show before but I understand they do a great job. If you visit the Carolina Scrollers web page you can see some past year's events photos in their gallery. 

Hope to see you there.


Personalized Christmas Ornament Patterns:

I am still making good progress on ornament patterns. I should be able to get caught up today. If you have orders in the queue, keep your eye on your email inbox.



The price is $1 per name with a 5 name minimum. I keep the price as low as possible
because I want everyone to have a chance to make these ornaments for family and friends.

You only pay after you have received the order and are 
100% satisfied with the patterns. Invoice included with
the pattern email. Pay by credit card(secure Paypal), check, or cash.

The patterns will be emailed to you after they are completed.
Please allow up to a week for delivery. 

You can use last names on the ornaments if you like but remember that the more letters the more
difficult they are to cut. Ten letters and up gets pretty small. If you need to you can enlarge the patterns by 10% to make the interior cuts larger. No special characters are supported. I can get a hyphen in there but it looks odd. It has to connect the two letters so it does not just fall out.


$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.

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Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever. 

Products for your consideration:


Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD


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If you use the DVD on a Windows PC there is a simple viewer program to browse through the patterns.

The DVD also works fine on a MAC. The viewer program is not MAC compatible but there is an included PDF with all the patterns shown as thumbnails for easy viewing.

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Unique Wooden Vases:
Want to create beautiful wooden vases on the scroll saw?
My two "Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw" books make it easy.

The books are $12 each and available for instant download after purchase. Click for Video Demonstration.


The Scrollsaw Workshop is primarily supported by donations. If you enjoy this Blog and would like to make a donation please click this Button. Your support is greatly appreciated. 
https://www.stevedgood.com/donate2.html

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This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!






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Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!


Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties. Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

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Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Free Pattern Catalog. 1000's of free patterns.

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Thousands of FREE scroll saw patterns. No registration or signup required.

The projects form these patterns can be sold without restrictions. The patterns cannot be sold.

Click here for the Free Online Catalog.

-

Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make. 

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order. Click the picture to order.
http://www.stevedgood.com/swpd/swpdorderpage.html
You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1
Download the Free Scroll Saw Pattern Printer Version 1.1. Create name patterns in seconds. Windows PC only.
Download Version 1.1
Please consider a $5 donation for The Scroll Saw Pattern Printer v1.1.

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker. Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.
The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed. Please consider a $5 donation for the program.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.
Download the Free Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker. Create Oval key chain patterns in seconds.
Download Version .9a
Please consider a $5 donation for The Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker.

T-Shirts and More.

T-Shirts and More.
Show your love for the hobby and support the Scrollsaw Workshop. Safe and secure order fullfilled by CafePress. Take a look. You are sure to find something you like. CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the store.

The Lifter

Papa's Custom Patterns.

www.papasworkshop.net

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.
Buy This Wonderful Heirloom Puzzle Pattern

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.
__________________________
Disclaimer:
The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.

Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts