This decorative Easter cross is a little over ten inches tall.
Scroll Saw Blade Comments:
I did a write-up a couple days ago about choosing scroll saw blades. I expected to receive several comments and I did. There was a lot of great feedback and I thought I would share one in particular from John. Several valuable thoughts in his write-up.
Steve,
I read with interest your discussion about blade choice today. This subject is always at the top of the list with new members and new Scrollers at a Carolina Scrollers club meeting.
I personally, when starting as a new scroller, bought many different blade types only to have the majority gather dust once I understood my preferences.
Like most new scrollers, we were/are self-learners. I believe most Scrollers gravitate to their favorite type designs they like to scroll and some choose a multitude of designs. For me, I love to scroll detailed Fretwork. My favorites are clocks, especially those designed by Pedro of Spain. For relaxation, I like making numerous type bowls. And thirdly, Christmas ornaments because of our club’s focus program of selling and donating 100% of sales to the North Carolina Second Harvest Food Bank.
I have two saws; Dewalt and Excalibur. I tend to defer to the Excalibur because I can “neutralize” the aggressiveness of the blade easier as this is important to me when doing detailed Fretwork.
I say all of the above to make the following points and observations:
• Blade choices are individual and charts that are available should be considered as guidance and not “gospel”.
• Although most saws operate fundamentally the same, there are differences that can affect blade choices.
• Obviously, blade manufacturers say their blades are the best. However, the level of scroller’s experience and their adherence to basic steps have a huge impact on a scroller’s satisfaction with any blade.
• Another big difference is “Need for Speed”. If a scroller is a production type they will want to cut fast and their selected designs will generally be less difficult or less intricate than a scroller that is cutting a family heirloom. In this case, the production scroller may choose a #3 or #5. For the “heirloom, the choices may be a 2/0 or a #1.
• I indicated above I like to make bowls. My objective has been to make bowls, when complete, that have the same finish as a detailed clock. This means to me using a #1 to minimize entry hole size, smooth edge surfaces and tightness on compression fit bowls.
All this with no regards to time to make. For a production scroller, time is important so cut-out time is a factor. As such they may go to a #3 or higher. These choices will affect the quality of the end product.
• Another factor of blade satisfaction is the persistence of the scroller relative to follow certain basic steps; saw speed, pre-tensioning new blades, maintaining correct tension, removing blade manufacturing “burrs” and swapping out blades when the blade becomes dull. Couple these factors with the impact of wood choices and condition. (Flatness, hardness and wood thickness for design, ie too thick, too thin.
• Another huge factor is when you analyze steps and choices if you are cutting Intarsia. Cutting hardwood 3/4 inch to 4/4 thick woods is significant compared to intricate 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 thicknesses.
• Spiral blades is yet another discussion.
All said, is it any wonder why blade selection and use is the number one topic by the majority of Scrollers (and clubs)?
The Carolina Scrollers club in Winston Salem meets each month. Our most important meeting segment is the Show & Tell. Members presenting are asked to discuss blade usage, challenges making their work and the finishing process. Periodically members will present a “how to” segment or demonstration on a given subject.
Regard,
John F.
Fifteen days left and we are almost at 8,000 entries for the giveaway. The gift certificates this month are really nice so make sure you get your entries in. Don't leave free money on the table. You can enter once per day. Winners are drawn randomly so you have just a good of a chance to win as the next person.
I am putting up $300 for gift certificate number one and Bear Woods is putting up $150 for gift certificate number 2. Go get yourself some free money.
Bear Woods and Scroll Saw Workshop Sponsored Giveaway.
What!!!!! This is crazy.
Prize #1.... $300 Bear Woods gift certificate
Prize #2.... $150 Bear Woods gift certificate.
Stephen from Bear Woods and myself want to take the giveaway up a notch this month. We will be increasing the value of the gift certificate to $300 for prize#1 and $150 for prize number two. You can buy a lot of Pegas scroll saw blades, clock parts and more with this giveaway.
2Ways2Win.
Way1
$300 gift certificate. Simply use the link above to enter every day. The more you enter the better your chance to win a $300 gift certificate. Winner randomly drawn from all entries.
Way2
$150 gift certificate. Visit this page where you can find instructions.
Winner randomly is drawn from all eligible entries.
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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:
Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.
The DVD is $10 plus shipping. This is a data DVD that you will use on your computer to watch the video tutorial
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2017 in DVD
Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.
This DVD has 2,300 patterns published from 2007 thru 2017.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
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.
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.
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