A trick that helped mastering the tight turn technique

[Blaughn]

Like most, I struggled with making clean tight turns. In fact, I have to "warm up" with a practice piece before I start a project if I have not been scrolling for a while.  While working with my grandkids, I had an idea for a simple drill to helped them to improve their turns.

 

I drilled a hole in the workpiece and had them insert a blade.  Then I told them I wanted them to spin the workpiece 360 degrees without making the hole any larger.  I explained that the only way to do that is do keep the back of the blade lightly against the side of the hole while you spin it.  After several minutes of practicing this skill, I had them do the tight corner practice piece and there was a huge improvement. This simple drill seemed to reinforce the finesse needed to keeping the back of the blade against the workpiece without overdoing it.

 

 

[meflick]

Nice idea and thanks for sharing.  This newbie definitely appreciates any tips and drills that help with turning tight corners for sure!

[Frank Pellow]

Good tip, thanks!

[hotshot]

You know, I've explained the basic techniques many times, but your idea takes the concept and communicates it in a way that is easy to understand.  Good job.

[hawkeye10]

Like most, I struggled with making clean tight turns. In fact, I have to "warm up" with a practice piece before I start a project if I have not been scrolling for a while.  While working with my grandkids, I had an idea for a simple drill to helped them to improve their turns.

 

I drilled a hole in the workpiece and had them insert a blade.  Then I told them I wanted them to spin the workpiece 360 degrees without making the hole any larger.  I explained that the only way to do that is do keep the back of the blade lightly against the side of the hole while you spin it.  After several minutes of practicing this skill, I had them do the tight corner practice piece and there was a huge improvement. This simple drill seemed to reinforce the finesse needed to keeping the back of the blade against the workpiece without overdoing it.

Thanks for the tip Bruce. I am doing better but I still fight to do it right.

[Scrolling Steve]

The day that i learned to keep the back  and side of the blade where i wanted it with a little pressure was doing just what you have described.......wonderful way to describe it...thanks for sharing.

[dgman]

Great tip for begginers!

[Rockytime]

I CAN USE THAT! Many thanks for posting.

[Sparkey]

Thanks for the tip. I will try that when I use a flat blade again. I started with the smallest spirals you can buy so I never had that problem until I tried a flat blade.

[Lucky2]

Great tip for someone just starting out, most experienced scrollers can make the 90* turns without issues.

Len

[buck_lake]

Great tip. Thanks.

[ike]

The main thing about making sharp turns is no pressure on the blade as you spin the project I cut to the turning point stop my blade form cutting make my spin. It just takes practice  I worked as a machinist for 20 years before I started scrolling. running a mill you have to stop the part from moving into the tool before you make the turn, It's the same with scrolling you have to stop the blade from moving into the wood before you make the turn,.

IKE 

[hotshot]

In a similar vein to Ike's point, when you are cutting real thick wood, there is a little bow in the blade, meaning, the blade may be a little "behind" in the middle of the wood.  So, to get a good turn, you have to "wait for the blade to catch up."  If you turn before the blade has caught up, , the cut will be uneven, which is bad if you need to remove an inside waste piece.  When I cut puzzle boxes, rushing the corners will result in firewood.

Edited January 5, 2017 by hotshot

[jerry1939]

I use FD UR blades. As you face the saw, the "sharp teeth" of the blade are on your right & the flat side of the blade on your left. When you learn the mindset to ALWAYS spin the wood clockwise, you will see a world of difference.

 

jerry

[amazingkevin]

Like most, I struggled with making clean tight turns. In fact, I have to "warm up" with a practice piece before I start a project if I have not been scrolling for a while.  While working with my grandkids, I had an idea for a simple drill to helped them to improve their turns.

 

I drilled a hole in the workpiece and had them insert a blade.  Then I told them I wanted them to spin the workpiece 360 degrees without making the hole any larger.  I explained that the only way to do that is do keep the back of the blade lightly against the side of the hole while you spin it.  After several minutes of practicing this skill, I had them do the tight corner practice piece and there was a huge improvement. This simple drill seemed to reinforce the finesse needed to keeping the back of the blade against the workpiece without overdoing it.

I've never heard this explained so clear and concise.your catching on very quick.

[allpurpose]

This is something I will play around with and see if it changes how I make turns. Usually I just kind of nibble away on the waste side till I get the turn, but there are occasions when that's impractical.