Cutting on a Black line or Other??

[danny]

What is your color line to cut on?  I have Always used a Black line.

Read in another Post that cutting on a Red Line is more Relaxing.

Pros n Cons Please......................Danny  :+}

[Scrappile]

Only you can tell what works best for you....

[OCtoolguy]

I like the idea of being able to differentiate between the black blade and the red line. It's easier on MY eyes. Everybody is different though.

 

[kmmcrafts]

Just paint the blades.. ... then you can still use the black ink from your printer..  I've cut both red and black... and honestly I like the black... That said though.. it really is dependent on what magnifier light I'm using... My newer LED replacement bulbs light up the black line perfectly but makes the red lines awful bright and kinda strains the eyes.. guess I'm just the odd ball and probably use to the black since I've cut black for the last 14 or so years, LOL 

[jollyred]

I cut on the black line, and have the light coming in from the side, so the blade casts a shadow of the blade away from the line.  Don't have a problem telling when the blade is wandering away from the line, which happens quite a bit with my cutting.

[Fab4]

Hi Danny:
I tend to use a light grey - For me it makes it easier to see and follow the line
Was black for years because it was all I knew -
Now, I'm a Villager, and there is always someone here that has a better mouse trap (in a good way)
But as Paul mentioned, you have to find what works for you
Fab4

[MrsN]

I'm a black line girl. I have a laser printer and only print in black and white.

[crupiea]

I just cut the black line.   When i started years ago i thought the red line was easier but it was a pain to make everything red.

Just relax. you know what needs to be cut, just do what you know and dont over think it.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I have been cutting black lines forever. Bobscroller makes his patterns in red so I cut his red lines. Did not have any effect either way. What I do find myself doing is sometimes depending on the pattern cutting either on the line or just inside. Give you an example. The welder pattern which I am cutting now that Bobscroller did for me has such thin areas between cuts so I chose to cut inside the lines to widen those areas just abit. I do this at times with lettering too. These are tricks of the hobby as you keep doing this stuff. 

[danny]

Actually I was just wanting to read Others feelings about Their Favorite color to make the Cutting line.

And I did get my answer.  Majority cut on Black..........................Cool.......................Danny  :+}

 

[Foxfold]

I use a grey fill with red outline, I find it  easier to see those pesky tiny blades. But there again my eyesight is no longer 20/20

[edward]

I like the black lines better, find the red is harder  on the eyes, guess I'am old.

[tgiro]

Just now, danny said:

Actually I was just wanting to read Others feelings about Their Favorite color to make the Cutting line.

And I did get my answer.  Majority cut on Black..........................Cool.......................Danny  :+}

 

I always change black lines to red. That way the blade doesn't get lost in the line.

[Sycamore67]

I use a solid black line.  The way I position the light is important to seeing the blade and line.  Most of the time I do not cut on the line.  With Intarsia, I cut one side or the other.  If you cut on the line, you will end up with gaps between pieces.

[danny]

Thanks to ALL for your comments.  I did Learn a thing or two with your comments.  One is the setting of the Light and also where your

sitting (yes I sit to scroll) Old Legs just aren't like the used to be.  I never learned to use the Magnifier that comes along with the Light. 

I am still going to Experiment with cutting on a Red Line.                              Thanks again My Friends..................Danny  :+}

[Rockytime]

If a pattern needs enlarging I have it done in red. Otherwise I cut on black. I don't know how to use inkscape.

[SCROLLSAW703]

howdy.

The only red lines I've ever had in a project was in a Gleaner Combine project. The combine was in the wheat field cutting wheat. I had a copy of the pattern in black and red ink both, but when you studied the pattern, HOLY MOSES!!!!!! Every single wheat head out in front of the combine had to be cut. There were over 400 cuts on that project, and most of them were just cut a little bit for a wheat kernel in a head of wheat, and move to the next.

I chose to use the red ink pattern because the smaller patterns were easier to locate and drill an entry hole in. I used a spiral blade for the wheat heads, and some of the other parts of the combine. Around the operator and the cab of the combine, places like that. I believe the project is on my fb page if you care to have a look see. sawdust haven - st. francis, ks. 

I cut that project in oak, shot two coats of clear shellac over it, and then two coats of clear coat. The project took a total of 80 hours to cut and finish. 

If I had my choice, were I cutting a lot of fine detail, I would rather have the red ink, myself. I don't use a magnifier or a light at the saw, but the red ink in the fine detail helps me locate it and keep track of it better, where black lines have a tendency t run together. 

Now if I was only smart enough to figure out how to talk my printer into printin' some of my finer detailed patterns in red ink.:(:(

Brad. 

[BadBob]

I use black. I have tried red but it wasn't any better for me.

I find good lighting is more important than line color.

[Rolf]

I have gotten used to the black lines, but for me lots of light is the key.

[FrankEV]

I find RED to be easier to work with.  When I can, I rework the pattern in Inkscape a make the cutout area a very light gray and make the outlines a slightly less red color than the bright red and make the line thickness a thin as posssible.   I find I have to often cut with the blade edge against the line instead of splitting the line because the cut out areas are so close together in many hole patterns.  The thin red line allows me to do this more easily.

[OzarkSawdust]

I'm with Frank on this one. It's easier to tell the line from a floater (from diabetes)I have in my eye. It makes a tiny black squiggle and sometimes lines up with the blade. Light gray with a thin red line works best. What I don't like is a total red pattern.

[OCtoolguy]

On 10/29/2018 at 5:48 PM, SCROLLSAW703 said:

howdy.

The only red lines I've ever had in a project was in a Gleaner Combine project. The combine was in the wheat field cutting wheat. I had a copy of the pattern in black and red ink both, but when you studied the pattern, HOLY MOSES!!!!!! Every single wheat head out in front of the combine had to be cut. There were over 400 cuts on that project, and most of them were just cut a little bit for a wheat kernel in a head of wheat, and move to the next.

I chose to use the red ink pattern because the smaller patterns were easier to locate and drill an entry hole in. I used a spiral blade for the wheat heads, and some of the other parts of the combine. Around the operator and the cab of the combine, places like that. I believe the project is on my fb page if you care to have a look see. sawdust haven - st. francis, ks. 

I cut that project in oak, shot two coats of clear shellac over it, and then two coats of clear coat. The project took a total of 80 hours to cut and finish. 

If I had my choice, were I cutting a lot of fine detail, I would rather have the red ink, myself. I don't use a magnifier or a light at the saw, but the red ink in the fine detail helps me locate it and keep track of it better, where black lines have a tendency t run together. 

Now if I was only smart enough to figure out how to talk my printer into printin' some of my finer detailed patterns in red ink.:(:(

Brad. 

I'd love to see that piece Brad.

[stoney]

I agree with Rolf the most important thing for me is plenty of light.   I have an LED light with an articulating arm that I can position practically right on top of the work piece that floods the area so I have no issue seeing the line or the blade.

[Dan]

Red line and very light gray fill. 

[RabidAlien]

My laser printer is B&W, the inkjet is color....so....most of my patterns, regardless of how they look on-screen, are B&W.  Or shades of grey, if I make a pattern red/pink and still print it on the laser printer cuz its cheaper.  I have a magnifying lamp near my saw so it doesn't really matter which one I do, I'm usually able to follow the pattern either way.