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Both of these patterns are in the intermediate range of skill to cut. The bear pattern is probably a little easier than the God Bless pattern simply, because of its size. The pattern is 13" wide.
The other day, I received an email from a gentleman who believed that one of my patterns would require a laser to cut. In reality, it was an intermediate-level pattern, and for a skilled scroller, it would be considered novice-level. The gentleman simply didn't grasp the techniques needed for small interior cuts and veining.
He challenged me to prove that such intricate cuts were possible on a scroll saw. Here's an example: a nameplate with my name that I cut a few years ago. I used a drill bit smaller than 1mm for starter holes and a #2/0 blade, which is .01" thick. To put that in perspective, the average human hair is about .003" thick. The nameplate measures 1.75" in length and was cut on a mid-level scroll saw. It was notably more challenging than the pattern in question.
If the smallest drill bit you have is 1/8" in diameter and you're using a pin-end scroll saw blade, cutting the pattern would indeed be tough. It's important to choose patterns based on your current skill level and the precision of your tools. Don't let that stop you from trying out patterns that may be a bit ahead of your current skill level. That is how you get better.
It's important to note that while scroll saws are capable of high precision, you don't necessarily need that level to enjoy scroll sawing. In fact, many scrollers prefer projects they can complete in one sitting, myself included. I spent a few years using an entry-level Craftsman scroll saw. It may not have been of the quality of the saws I own today but I had a blast with that saw. I made dozens of projects with it and people seemed to like the gifts I made on that saw.
In conclusion, what one scroller considers a novice-level pattern may be intermediate for another, and vice versa. For an average-level scroller, I estimate that 90% of my patterns are novice-level, with 10% being intermediate. I can't recall ever publishing an advanced-level pattern. Some of my recent patterns have been just a little tougher because people were asking for more of a challenge.
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Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
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Hiking Pattern
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