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My first two projects


jwbright1984

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I'm finally got to make some saw dust. These are my first two patterns to cut out so I'm very very new. I have learn a lot by these two cuts. I would like for y'all to tell me what I need to do different and any tips or tricks would be wonderful. The deer was my first and I can see a lot of places I messed up and the 1/4 birch plywood is not a good grade so it started chipping and breaking so I didn't cut the pattern exactly the way it should have been but I thank bigdogskitten11 for the pattern. The duck was my second one and it went a lot smoother because I learn so much from the deer. And I apologize but I can't remember where I got the duck picture from but thank you to whomever was the designer. So tell me where I need to do better. I have ALOT of improvement needed so don't be easy on me!!!! Haha. Thank y'all for your time.

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very good start.  I can't give you advice, I'm just learning also.   Well I can pass on two pieces of advice that were given me and really helpful to me.  1 - take a deeo breath before starting to to cut and then concentrate on breathing normally.  2 - Lower your shoulders don't have then raised up around your ears.  Simple advice, but really helped me.  The main thing this advice was telling me was to relax.   

 

Another thing I have done in buy many sizes and types of blades from Mike's Workshop and I have been experimenting with them to determine which ones work best for me on different types of cuts. 

 

Between the deer and the duck you can already see improvement, so practice, practice.  I'm accumulating quite a pile of practice cuttings.  I wish I would have numbered them so I could see if I am improving.

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Well Wesley your deer picture is wonderful for a first attempt All though hard to see but it appears you used a spiral blade for at least a part of the picture, no problem if the blade would have been in the right direction (pointing down) I see a lot of chip out on the top of the plywood indicating the upside down blade, you had some difficulty turning when you used a straight blade but that all comes with practice overall I grade this as a A for effort, the duck on the other hand is excellent It appears to be cut with a straight blade and you did a fantastic job this my friend is a very sellable portrait no problem keep it up. As for plywood you're not going to get much better quality for scrolling then birch but when you buy it be selective don't settle for the top sheet on the pile. Good luck and keep the pictures coming.

.../Hans

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As Scrappy said, learn the blades that works best for you and the wood.

As you have already realized, practice.

We all make mistakes, the trick is learning to hide most of them.

Consider using good plywood like Baltic Birch. Also when using solid wood be aware it can warp.

And I like Sloans Woodshop also for blades.

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Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate that. I didn't use spiral blades but I plan on getting some. Now It is very possible that I had a blade upside down because I broke 6 or 7 blades on the deer. But as I got use to my saw I quit breaking blades and used the same one for the duck. I'm not real happy with my blades. I plan on getting a variety to see what I like better. And thanks again for all the advise.

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These are 2  very good starts. The duck is much better than the deer/ Just remember to take your time and it really helps if you keep your saw table waxed. I work with my DeWall speed at 6 for most projects. I like a #4 blade for plywood, and if I stack cut it seems to work better. and I never use box store blades, I have no luck with them.

Edited by ike
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Mister Wesley,I'm proud of your gracious attempts in the first project.You started long runs and went from beginning to end without starting and stopping.Very good concentration!Your a Wizz on the turns ,you get in and out  without burning the corners turning about faceA quality i lacked for quite a awhile,Your a born natural scroller from day one!1/4" wood i'd use a #3,#2,#1 or a#2/0 blade to avoid chipping the wood on thin stock.Looks like your fireing on all cylinders in the second picture.You learned fast and are scrolling with the best of them now.Good job.Don't miss a day here so many tips and tricks given out readily every day.Your the apple of our eye posting pictures so soon.A picture tells the whole story for us.Your also batting a 100 now with you new found hobby,glad you found us , you've made friends today ,more tomorrow,Welcome :cool:

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Wesley first let me congratulate you on a terrific start.  The first one, the deer, apart from the ply your cutting seems OK.  I bet once it was sanded it looked a lot better.  The second one, the duck, no one could fault that, you did an excellent job.  My only bits of advise are number one relax, if you find your shoulders up around your ears, go for a walk and then start again.  Secondly, and this advise was given to me, is if you have a pattern that is slightly complicated, start with the hardest part first, that way if it breaks you have not wasted your time.   Apart from that just practice, practice, practice.

 

Marg

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Both of them are good projects, I fully agree with the rest of the comments. One trick I would add is that you need to be familiar with your pattern. I spend few minuted analyzing some patterns to determine the order of some intricate cuts and small weak bridges, it helps to avoid mistakes and broken parts. Also some times a keep the cut piece in the hole adding clear tape, this will support your structure while cutting the rest of the piece. Very good job, keep in the good work. PD. I do believe the duck is a Steve Good Pattern.

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