Just a funny sign for mom's kitchen.
Which is better for applying patterns?
These are not suggested brands. They are just for reference.
We have to have a pattern to cut most scroll saw projects. That pattern needs to be applied to the wood. There are many ways to accomplish this task but I want to talk about the two most common.
Most scrollers use adhesive to apply the pattern to the wood. There are a few requirements that we need.
1. It should be convenient and easy.
2. The pattern should stick well and not lift while we make our cuts.
3. It should be relatively easy to remove the pattern after we finish cutting.
At this time I think that two products are the most common. Spray adhesive and glue sticks. They both have advantages and disadvantages.
Spray adhesives are fast and some brands work very well holding the pattern down without lifting. The problem with spray adhesive is that they are kind of messy and harmful if not used in a well-ventilated space. You don't want to breathe the spray.
Glue sticks are not so fast. In the old day's glue sticks did not hold the pattern down very well. The new glues don't have this problem anymore. They hold well. Glue sticks are also less expensive.
By the way. I use blue painters tape under the pattern for both spray and stick. It just makes the pattern so much easier to remove and it lubricates the blade for better cut quality and longer-lasting blades.
So which is better? That depends on what your criteria are. I am always in a hurry to make a deadline so I normally use spray adhesive. I know that the stick does not take that much more time but habits are difficult to break. If I ran out of spray I would not have any problem switching to a stick.
Both of these adhesives come in different brands and purposes. I like 3M 45 spray adhesive. It is not the best adhesive but it is cheaper than most other sprays and I use a lot of it. The way I prevent lifting is to use the blue painter's tape and don't let the spray glue start to tack before applying the pattern.
I buy Elmers X-treme glue sticks. I don't use them very often but when I do, these work for me.
What I find is that everyone is different. There are some guys who still use carbon paper. If it works for you then that's all that matters. If you are just getting started I suggest you pick a couple of different products and test them to decide which you like best. Experiment.
I use CorelDRAW for all my pattern design work:
Currently $79.95
This is not a recommendation. This is just information for those who ask what I use to make my patterns. The reason for not recommending CorelDraw is not because I don't like it. I love this application and use it every day. I simply don't want to recommend a program with a large learning curve unless you are confident you are willing to take the time to learn it. If you are not sure that you want to learn then you are just wasting your money.
I have used CorelDRAW almost daily for thirteen plus years. Obviously, I have become pretty skilled at it. The crazy thing is that I still learn something new all the time. It is what I call a lifetime program. You may learn all the tools pretty quickly but applying those tools in creative new ways never ends.
There is more than one version of CorelDRAW. The full version adds a few extra features and comes with a commercial use license. The Home & Student version still has all the features you need to make patterns and is much less expensive. If you just want to make patterns for yourself, the Home &Student version is all you need. It is about one-fourth of the price of the full version.
Another option that is much less expensive(free) is Inkscape. It is similar to CorelDRAW but not nearly as well put together. It will do all the same things but a little more difficult to use. You can download it for free at www.inkscape.org. You can find hundreds of video tutorials for both programs on YouTube.
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in its 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 2007-2019 on DVD
This DVD has over 2,900 patterns published from 2007 thru 2019.
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.
All the same file but in an easy to use thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
Now Available on USB Thumb Drive
Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.All the same file but in an easy to use thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
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.
My Sponsors:
Support the businesses that support our community.
Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
