Saturday, July 5, 2014

Don't spend it all in one place.

I have done a penny and a buffalo nickle before so I though I would try a quarter. This pattern is a little more detailed than the others. I designed it in an eight inch, seven inch and six inch version. The six inch might be a little easier to come up with a wood blank for but the interior cuts will be a little more challenging to new scrollers. 

This pattern is a good opportunity to talk about veining in scroll saw patterns. Any time I design a pattern like the one today I always get email asking how to do the fine lines like are in the hair of this pattern. Usually it's ask if it should be done with a pen or pencil.

In scroll saw speak these fine lines are called veining. They are there to add detail without actually cutting anything away from the board. They are cut with the scroll saw and not drawn in. In my patterns I almost always start a vein on the exterior of the pattern and end it inside the pattern. This makes it easier to start the cut without drilling an interior hole.

If you come across a vein that does start on the interior you want to try to mask the beginning entry hole if possible. I will usually taper the line away from the hole. This leaves a small tear drop hole that is a little less obvious than a circle. Use the smallest drill bit possible when drilling for a vein. The smaller the easier it is to hide. You can purchase micro drill bits if the work you do requires a lot of this type of veining cuts. 

Veining can also weaken the board. In this pattern you will have to use caution after you have cut several of the veins. It is going to get weaker so be gentle.

 
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