Scroll Saw Levels of Expertise

[jacques45]

Is there an accreditation that goes with scrolling, for example, what is the criteria for becoming a Master Scroller and any levels below that?   Is there a certification process, or is an individual's expertise self-declared? 

[Bill WIlson]

I never heard of one.  I don't know who the arbiter would be.  Most of those kinds of titles were traditionally associated with the trades.  Doesn't really apply to the modern scrolling culture.

[tomsteve]

welcome, jacques45!

I don't know if there is any accridation or anything. as for me, no matter how long I scroll or what I build, im just practicing a hobby I enjoy.

[WayneMahler]

Interesting question. I don't know of anything strictly for scrolling. Interested in seeing other replies to this.

[Chiloquinruss]

In my case it's a matter of BLOOD or no BLOOD.  No blood means I think that I'm getting better!    Russ

[savethebeer]

The only ones that I know of are the ones the mods give us here, like 'obsessed Scroller' or 'Pro Scroller' or Zen Scroller' These are based on the amount of members posts on this forum, not the skill level with our saws.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Is there an accreditation that goes with scrolling, for example, what is the criteria for becoming a Master Scroller and any levels below that?   Is there a certification process, or is an individual's expertise self-declared? 

Well I guess anyone can call themselves what they want. But I think a criteria would be, have you been published or shown in art galleries. Have you won prestigious awards. Is your work looked upon by other artisans from other medium. Have you taken your talents and taught others. Have you produced your own work and not just using other's patterns and cutting on a line. Heck anyone can do that. Take the scrolling field and add your touch to it. Things of this nature would make you a master scroller. You served your time or apprenticeship and have gotten to the point your skills are at the utmost. I think it also includes many all around attributes in that can you convey your talents to others. Is your work recognizable. Just my thoughts. Now I will say I am very good at scrolling and have done it for over 30 years but do not consider myself a master because of the above ideas.  

 

I believe there are Master scrollers out there. People like some of your top pattern makers who also scroll and teach and write books like John Nelson.   

Edited February 10, 2017 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[TripleJScroller]

Most scrollers do it mostly as a hobby or for some extra cash to put back into their hobby.  I think it would be extremely difficult to break it down into levels of expertise especially since a lot of us focus on one area of the hobby or another (portraits, puzzles, fretwork).  It may just be me, but I would have little interest in putting a label on my hobby.  I'm a scroller.  I do it because I love to do it and if I make a few bucks at it so my Wife don't cringe at the costs as much then I'm happy.  Interesting topic though, I'm interested in how others look at it.

[hawkeye10]

If you come up with a name for the poorest scroller that will be me.    I have but one way to go  

[SCROLLSAW703]

Mr. Hawkeye, I bet you're better than you give yourself credit for, my friend.  I've been scrolling close to 25 years now. I've taught folks to scroll, I've learned to scroll with every size blade I need to, on & on. BUT, I'm still learning. There are a few things I'd like to learn to do yet. I'm a self taught scroller. I take pride in that, as well as my hobby. I can not begin to tell you how many times I've been asked "is that laser cut?" How do you cut all those fine cuts? Well, my first answer is no, it's not laser cut. It's cut with a scroll saw. My second answer is patience & damn small blades!

 

I don't claim to be anybody special, I'm just a retired ol' truckdriver tryin' to keep himself out of the sanitarium! I keep practicin' on the projects that interest me, & appreciate the compliments when they're given. 

[amazingkevin]

Mr. Hawkeye, I bet you're better than you give yourself credit for, my friend.  I've been scrolling close to 25 years now. I've taught folks to scroll, I've learned to scroll with every size blade I need to, on & on. BUT, I'm still learning. There are a few things I'd like to learn to do yet. I'm a self taught scroller. I take pride in that, as well as my hobby. I can not begin to tell you how many times I've been asked "is that laser cut?" How do you cut all those fine cuts? Well, my first answer is no, it's not laser cut. It's cut with a scroll saw. My second answer is patience & damn small blades!

 

I don't claim to be anybody special, I'm just a retired ol' truckdriver tryin' to keep himself out of the sanitarium! I keep practicin' on the projects that interest me, & appreciate the compliments when they're given. 

I like the commemoration of my skills along with smiles of graditude that keep me going.Scrolling takes all my troubles away .

[worbler]

I suppose someone could be labelled a master if they were to be highly skilled in every area of the hobby. There are so many different areas of scrolling and a lot of people, I'd imagine, don't get to try a lot of them. I've been cutting for 10 years now and only do Fret and Segmentation and Pattern designing. I've never tried Intarsia, Coin Cutting, Mother of Pearl, Model Building, Vinyl Records or any of the other things you could do with a saw, and I probably never will. Teaching others would also fall into the category, I'm still learning. I also suppose you could be labelled as a master if you wanted to be as long as there is no-one around who is better. Anyway, Scroller sounds better than Master.

[Phantom Scroller]

It's the amount of posts you make and the name changes when you get to certain levels of qty and when you reach a certain qty you can name yourself anything within reason. I think that's what your asking. Could be wrong. Roly

[lawson56]

Well a few yrs ago I entered 1 of Plaques in the Local County Fair,that yr it was going to Judged by Professional Judges from Woodworking Mag,I don't know if it's the same one.This is all I was told.My plaque of Festus took 1st (Blue) Ribbon.I don't know what Level that would put me at.But I felt pretty darn good.

[hawkeye10]

Well a few yrs ago I entered 1 of Plaques in the Local County Fair,that yr it was going to Judged by Professional Judges from Woodworking Mag,I don't know if it's the same one.This is all I was told.My plaque of Festus took 1st (Blue) Ribbon.I don't know what Level that would put me at.But I felt pretty darn good.

Bobby I can see why that would make you feel good, I know it would me. How about posting a picture of your Festus plaque. I try to watch at least one Gunsmoke show a day. Festus, Doc, and Miss Kitty were all so great. I never will get tired of watching them.

[stoney]

The first thing that would have to be established is a definition of a master or other skill levels.  This is an interesting topic but in my opinion in order to define a true master scroll saw artist would require a testing procedure that might prove to be quite difficult.   When you consider all the different aspects it becomes quite clear to me it would be a very big challenge.  

 

I just consider myself a competent craftsman that can do a fairly decent job of reading instructions, following a pattern, cut on the lines, and once in a while get a little creative.       

[Rolf]

I have been seriously scrolling for about 12 years. One of the first things I did was join a local woodworking club with several SIG's (special interest groups) one of which is a scrolling group. We have members that have scrolled for over 65 years. So no matter how good I think I am these guys and ladies keep me humble. 

I have done a few presentations at the Fox Chapel open house, one of those was on "Advanced Scrolling"  My first comment was to say that there is no such thing. My explanation. Scrolling is a mechanical thing, once we learn the basics and do them well, following a line, the techniques for sharp corners, where to stop and start so that there are no nibs. etc. After that it is advanced projects not advanced scrolling, the basics never change.

 

When I look at a completed scrolled project fretwork, intarsia or any wood related project I look at the attention to detail. softened edges, no fuzzies, can't find the start stop points and finally how a project feels. The most complex project that has a crappy finish that feels rough with sharp edges, doesn't cut it in my book.

 

To me the masters are the designers! Some of the superb fretwork (Charles Hand and Russel come to mind) and some of our Intarsia artists Judy, Janette,  Kathy, Bruce and so many more. They are the ones who challenge me and keep me humble.

 

And if I may brag a bit I have been published as a co creator (test cutter) for three clocks and one project that was all mine in SSWWC.

Edited February 11, 2017 by Rolf

[SCROLLSAW703]

you're right, rolf. lookin' at a project & bein' able to see the perfection & time the scroller took to do the best job possible takes an experienced eye. IMO, there are several things that should take place before the pattern gets to the saw. Spendin' time studyin' the pattern is first & foremost. Deciding the type of wood you're goin' to use, blade choices, etc. And a little prayer for help to keep focused, & guide your hands never hurts. 

 

The only way to get better at all types of scrolling is to try them. You can make a better decision on your likes & dislikes from there. Once you decide on what you like best, work on projects in that type of scrolling that interest ya, & perfect it! Then you'll understand how different blades work together in different projects. Then, if you have the desire to learn something else, ya got the general idea how things come together. Getting to know your machine is a priority!

 

Learning the different types of wood, & their personalities is also an importance. It will help you to decide what wood to use for your project, & what it'll look like in the end. I also think, & again, this is just my opinion, a person kinda needs somewhat of a mechanical & artistic mind. The mechanical part come easy for me because I've been around equipment, & mechanics all my life. The artistic part, let's just say I work on that every project. These two abilities help me figure out dimensions & depth of a project, & help me to figure out what the project will look like in the end. I keep practicin' & readin' & learnin'. It's my addiction, if you will! God bless!

[crupiea]

Maybe its all a matter of how scared you get when the blade breaks when you are in the zone.

 

Its always at the worst possible moment and usually gives me a start.

[rjR]

In my case it's a matter of BLOOD or no BLOOD.  No blood means I think that I'm getting better!    Russ

If you can manage to get yourself bloody with the scrollsaw-- you need HELP!!!

 

The safest tool in the shop.   Except, maybe the broom; and I have tripped over that!

[heppnerguy]

I too believe the question was addressed at the titles awarded here in The Village above everyone's avatar. like Newbie, Zen scroller, master scroller. obsessed scroller. and of course, AMAZINGSCROLLER which belongs to Kevin for his unheard of 27,6000 plus posts. That being said, I really enjoyed reading all the responses to the question. Then of course, I could be off on how i interrupted the question too. 

 

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Well now if that is what the OP was talking about he has a longgggggggggggggggggggggggg way to go . Titles for the amount of posts is something I never did pay attention to. I jump in when I think I have something to add and not to pad my totals. I really never even noticed it here. when a person answers people from the same thread instead of using the multiple quote button is padding the count. Hope to see all members reach Master status. Means the site is doing well. Happy scrolling.

[SCROLLSAW703]

I agree, clockman. If your ability is being based on the number of posts you've got under your name, WOW! this forum is full of master scrollers! I never paid any attention to that either, until it was mentioned, then I decided to go thru & have a look see at some of the numbers. Then I looked at those fellas' profile. Some of them joined several years ago, so posts add up. But it's experience & what they have to say that I'm interested in. I'm not able to learn anything from their numbers. 

[Travis]

If you're interested in the rank numbers, here they are:

• Newbie - 0 posts
• Scroller - 10 posts
• Pro Scroller - 50 posts
• Obsessed Scroller - 100 posts
• Master Scroller - 500 posts
• Zen Scroller - 1000 posts
• 2500+ posts you get to choose your own title.

 

I probably should re-adjust the numbers.  You guys are a chatty bunch.  

[jacques45]

On 2/10/2017 at 4:17 PM, hawkeye10 said:

If you come up with a name for the poorest scroller that will be me.    I have but one way to go  

In the beginning, I probably would have been voted the scroller most likely to never make anything that people would like.   But with my wfe's encouragement , cajoling, and downright lying about my "really good results," I gained some confidence and have produced some passable works.  So I am elevating myself from the level of poor, to semi-poor.  Like most of  you,  I am in it for the fun of it.  If it puts a few bucks in my pocket, an extra cup of coffee is all I ask for.