This cross pattern comes in two sizes. The small cross is about 10" tall and the larger one is 13 inches tall. I am showing the backer board painted blue in the simulated graphic. Obviously, the paint is optional.
How do you improve your skills on the scroll saw?
The obvious answer is to practice but it helps if it is thoughtful practice. What do I mean by thoughtful practice? I'm glad you asked. Thoughtful practice just means to analyze as you cut. Ask yourself when you are cutting a curve or circle are you staying on the line? If that is an area where you would like to improve then make a conscious effort to work on circles. Same with straight lines or sharp turns.
Here is an example. You are cutting a box. You come to the corner and want to make a tight turn. You overshoot the turn and round off the corner. Think about the problem and either look for a solution online or just figure out a solution on your own. Actually, it is a good idea to do both. Spend some time trying to solve the problem yourself then go look for other solutions.
In this example, one solution is to cut into the waste are and make a loop coming back to the corner to continue the cut. You then have a perfectly sharp turn. You have solved the problem and thoughtfully analyzed the problem and came up with a solution.
You may have come up with a different solution. Maybe you realized that you could just sand the rounded corner flat. That works fine but if you look you may find other solutions(like the one above) that add to your skill set.
I am not a big advocate for practice sheets but I often get asked to make one. This kind of practice can help but it gets boring fast. If you use a practice or warm-up sheet don't get married to it. Spend a few minutes then do something fun like cut a project. This is especially true for younger children. They will run screaming if all they can do it cut a practice sheet.
Click to Download
The internet has many tips and suggestions videos for how to cut with the scroll saw. Like any subject some of the information is good and some of it is not so good. There are several good books on scroll saw technique. Your local library will have some or you can check out Amazon or your local book store.
I also have a small collection of videos in my Scroll Saw School section of the blog. It is not comprehensive but there is enough information there to get off to a good start.
Even if you have been scrolling for years it can be helpful to be thoughtful the next time you sit in front of your saw. After years of doing something, you can learn bad habits. You may not even realize that bad habits are there. Look over your projects do you see anything that you would like to improve. If you do then spend some time in that area.
$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.
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Prostik W1307 2-Inch by 2-Inch by 12-Inch Abrasive Belt and Disk Cleaner
I keep an abrasive cleaner by all of my sanding tools. It will unclog sandpaper fast making it like new.
2-Inch width by 2-Inch height by 12-Inch Length