Finishing-- How to.

[BadBob]

7 hours ago, Shadow Wizard said:

I thought those fuzzies were normal..

Fuzzies are normal. You can reduce them a lot by your blade choice and some techniques. You can't eliminate them 100% of the time.

[FrankEV]

8 hours ago, Shadow Wizard said:

I am trying to find one of those.  I am located in Canada, so such stuff can be hard to find, or be called different things.  Any idea what else it may be called?  What are the bristles made out of?

I get mine from Amazon: Silverline Tools - Dome Sanding Mop - 75mm 240 Grit

That is only one, they have many.

The Silverline is from the UK.

[kmmcrafts]

8 hours ago, Shadow Wizard said:

Actually, the question was vague because 1) I dont have the knowledge to make it more specific.  I an VERY new to woodworking and don't know what else I should have added to get better 'help' and 2) Because it gives me a very wide range of answers.  Lets say for example, I give every tiny bit of detail.  Wood I am using, pattern, speed of saw, type of blade, current humidity, current temperature, time it takes me to cut, examples of what I did, time of day, etc, and I got a response that says "Use this method"  Then if anything changed, I would need to come back and ask again, "Well I am doing the exact same thing, but I am cutting on poplar this time instead of oak..  Should I change my sanding method?"  with a wide range of answers like what I am getting, I gain more knowledge.

See, for example, I just learned I need help with blade selection..  I thought those fuzzies were normal..

I apologize for my response I made... Maybe I didn't read into it well enough.   

I'm glad you came back and responded so we know you're still here. We go through spells here where a newer person ask a vague question and then disappear.. Those many times can be consider spammers or fishers for info.. People take time to respond and you get no response back from them.. not even the little heart emoji things so IF a question is asked and then it seems a few days go by with no response I don't put in my answer.. because many times I'm probably responding to space. 

There is a emoji thing at the bottom of each post / reply it's a heart thing at the bottom.. click on it and there is a drop down menu you can choose different emoji icons, the purple one is a thank you.. using these can help people know you're still following the topic and haven't disappeared. Might help from getting smartass replies like mine.. 

Now for a better response.. now that I know you are looking for many various methods of sanding..

For flat work like portraits all the way down to small ornaments etc.. all being flat work.. I have a sanding matt that I use.. I buy the non-slip shelf liner stuff from the dollar stores it's in a roll and I fold it up to the size I need rather than cutting it to the size of my sanding work.. This gives it more cushion and anti slip power. Almost all my sanding is done with a 5" random orbital sander.. A variable speed one is a must so you can slow it down for delicate pieces. Honestly all my scroll work is flat work. I don't like sanding so I've not done much of the "shaping" type of scroll work. I do have a spindle sander for doing various sanding but it really don't get used hardly enough to justify the space it takes up in my shop, LOL 

[Foxfold]

17 hours ago, Shadow Wizard said:

I am trying to find one of those.  I am located in Canada, so such stuff can be hard to find, or be called different things.  Any idea what else it may be called?  What are the bristles made out of?

It's called a Dome Sanding mop, it comes in various grits. It's bristles are nylon.  I use mine all the time followed by brown paper.  I save all my KFC bags   It's made by Silverline, but as has been said, I live in the UK.

[Foxfold]

22 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I use those quite a lot.. I get them at Harbor Freight for like $8-10 each.. They are more of a ball shape than a cone like yours unless you worn yours down like that.. I use it in my drill press though..

These are 'Dome' shaped.  I've thought about trying it in my drill press but I prefer to 'look down' at what I'm sanding, it make me feel more in control. 

[FrankEV]

17 hours ago, Shadow Wizard said:

Actually, the question was vague because 1) I dont have the knowledge to make it more specific.  I an VERY new to woodworking and don't know what else I should have added to get better 'help' and 2) Because it gives me a very wide range of answers.  Lets say for example, I give every tiny bit of detail.  Wood I am using, pattern, speed of saw, type of blade, current humidity, current temperature, time it takes me to cut, examples of what I did, time of day, etc, and I got a response that says "Use this method"  Then if anything changed, I would need to come back and ask again, "Well I am doing the exact same thing, but I am cutting on poplar this time instead of oak..  Should I change my sanding method?"  with a wide range of answers like what I am getting, I gain more knowledge.

See, for example, I just learned I need help with blade selection..  I thought those fuzzies were normal..

Sorry SW, I think that logic is completely flawed.   

A simple statement like  "I'm cutting portrait patterns in 1/4" ply and looking for what is a good sanding and finishing process?" would have given you a much more set of informative responces.  Or, "I'm working on thick solid wood boxes", what sanding and finishing do you suggest.  ETC.

Both extremes of no details and too many details just make any help this group can offer almost meaningless.  You have already jumped to a conclusion that blade selection will eleiminate 'Fuzzies".  Think again, there is much more to it than JUST blade selection.  

In you original post you said you don't like to hand sand.  Well, many offered a multitude of options to hand sanding...did you actuly learn anything from those suggestions?...noot likely as there was no actual suggestions as to which toi use for what reason, as we did not know what kind of sanding you were doing or needed to do.

Againb sorry, you can't expect to get help if you do not identify a specific problem.  As in almost anything these days, there is a thing call Google and You Tube that can provide you with many answers to generic questions and the ability to gain some degree of KNOWLEDGE before coming to this group for help with specifics. 

Please undersatand we all love to help others including experienced scrollers and newbies alike.   

[Shadow Wizard]

21 hours ago, FrankEV said:

Sorry SW, I think that logic is completely flawed.   

A simple statement like  "I'm cutting portrait patterns in 1/4" ply and looking for what is a good sanding and finishing process?" would have given you a much more set of informative responces.  Or, "I'm working on thick solid wood boxes", what sanding and finishing do you suggest.  ETC.

Both extremes of no details and too many details just make any help this group can offer almost meaningless.  You have already jumped to a conclusion that blade selection will eleiminate 'Fuzzies".  Think again, there is much more to it than JUST blade selection.  

In you original post you said you don't like to hand sand.  Well, many offered a multitude of options to hand sanding...did you actuly learn anything from those suggestions?...noot likely as there was no actual suggestions as to which toi use for what reason, as we did not know what kind of sanding you were doing or needed to do.

Againb sorry, you can't expect to get help if you do not identify a specific problem.  As in almost anything these days, there is a thing call Google and You Tube that can provide you with many answers to generic questions and the ability to gain some degree of KNOWLEDGE before coming to this group for help with specifics. 

Please undersatand we all love to help others including experienced scrollers and newbies alike.   

So, I am cutting VTM clan symbols out of 1/4" thick Alexander Molding poplar hobby board.  I am trying to avoid sanding by hand, but I am looking for a way to sand in inside of all my cuts easier, and I find a lot of them are coming out really rough.

I hope that provides you the information that you need.

I am still a bit put off that I was pounced on because I just didn't know..  Before this, when I needed to sand "something" a bit of wood, metal, cardboard, a car, ANYTHING, I grabbed a piece of sand paper, and rubbed it on there.  The ONLY thing I knew what "higher numbers give you finer sanding"  Until VERY recently I didn't have the information there was different sand papers for different things.  I thought sand paper was sand paper, so I didn't know where was anything else to add.  I didn't have the knowledge to know what information was needed or missing.

And YES, I DID learn things from those that decided to share information, and from those that asked questions.

Interestingly enough I didn't learn a single useful thing from posts that complained that my question was too vague, and suggested it didn't warrant an answer.  Interesting how that is, hmm?

[Shadow Wizard]

22 hours ago, Foxfold said:

It's called a Dome Sanding mop, it comes in various grits. It's bristles are nylon.  I use mine all the time followed by brown paper.  I save all my KFC bags   It's made by Silverline, but as has been said, I live in the UK.

Now, I am looking at them and wondering if that will even do what I am trying to sand.

When I cut, a lot of times my cuts are a bit uneven, so i am trying to sand INSIDE those cuts, is that gonna get in there and sand them, even on the very small fine cuts?  or is there a different/better option?

[kmmcrafts]

7 minutes ago, Shadow Wizard said:

I am trying to sand INSIDE those cuts, is that gonna get in there and sand them, even on the very small fine cuts?  or is there a different/better option?

That info actually helps a lot!!.. You can buy or make scroll saw sanders.. I find a lot of beginners ask about sanding inside the cutouts.. I did this myself when first starting out..

The sanders you buy https://www.americanwoodcrafterssupply.com/catalog/sanding-supplies/scroll-sanders-by-olson/ don't always fit every brand of scroll saw.. and sometimes the big clunky plastic ends are too big to fit through the cutout.. Many folks use a old saw blade and glue pieces of sand paper to the blade.. popsicle sticks work well as does fingernail files.. I think there is even some sort of small jewelers file set that some folks use... 

Once you get some saw time and learn different blades and uses for said blades you'll likely ditch the whole sanding the cutouts.. many times I just use the side of the balde to shave and shape a rough edge..

I hope this helps you find what you need to do the sanding you need / want. or at least maybe gave you an idea of some things to try.. 

[kmmcrafts]

I should also mention that there are scroll saw files too.. https://www.pswood.com/scroll-saw-files/ 

Seems like there are some other brands of scroll saw sanders and files but these are the only two I found.. I don't think many folks buy or use them anymore so maybe the other brands dropped the product. Pretty darn easy to just superglue some strips of sandpaper to a old saw blade.. or piece of scrap wood that can fit into the blade holder of the saw.. 

[Foxfold]

1 hour ago, Shadow Wizard said:

Now, I am looking at them and wondering if that will even do what I am trying to sand.

When I cut, a lot of times my cuts are a bit uneven, so i am trying to sand INSIDE those cuts, is that gonna get in there and sand them, even on the very small fine cuts?  or is there a different/better option?

I depends, I suppose, on what you cut. I tend to use it a lot on my 'fine' work, but have also used it on things with 'bigger' holes.  I have used emery boards cut to size before too. You'll find what suits you and the work that you do over time, we all do.  I usually use 3mm boards in the main, but also 6mm.  Anything 'thicker' I usually sand by hand or with a 'detail' sander.  It won't however, smooth  an  'uneven' cut, I suppose you'd have to do that by hand. Here's one with a lot of fine 'inside cuts' and I find it works well with this type of work.  The horses are 3mm and the gorilla is 6mm.

Edited October 25, 2021 by Foxfold

[Mark SW]

1 hour ago, Shadow Wizard said:

And YES, I DID learn things from those that decided to share information, and from those that asked questions.

Interestingly enough I didn't learn a single useful thing from posts that complained that my question was too vague, and suggested it didn't warrant an answer.  Interesting how that is, hmm?

Shadow Wizard just keep on asking there is a vast amount of knowledge here. Scrollsaw Workshop by Steve Good is another great resource. 

Scrollsaw Workshop     

[FrankEV]

A Rotary (Dremel) tool with small sanding drums or burr bits work well to smooth inside of cut outs.  If you are trying to smooth out "blade wobble" along straight lines, the sanding drums work well, but dont get in close to corners.   For small cut outs or into corners, I use very thin burr bits in my Dremel tool wand to clean up a sloppy cut. 

I don't normally need to sand plain rough blade cuts but for some cases I can see where it mightg be necessary, especially when exposed to view.  Needle files and the like are about all you really can use to smooth these type cuts.   

[BadBob]

I use these for tight spaces.

Needle File Set, 10 Pc

One way to make sanders for a scroll saw.

 

[Shadow Wizard]

21 hours ago, Mark SW said:

Shadow Wizard just keep on asking there is a vast amount of knowledge here. Scrollsaw Workshop by Steve Good is another great resource. 

Scrollsaw Workshop     

I will, a grumpy old man complaining my question don't deserve an answer won't put me off.  Maybe (hopefully) he was just having an off day.

[OCtoolguy]

Let me start by adding, we have had a lot of newbies here who have come on board, asked a question and then disappeared, never to be heard from again. In your case, your original question was worded in such a way that maybe some of us took it the wrong way. For that, I apologize. When someone asks an open-ended question like "how do I do ????" with little or no information, it becomes quite difficult to answer. My early response was, "None" or something like that. Now that we have more information, it will allow us to give you the answer you were seeking. From what I gather, you are trying to "smooth out" more than actually sand your inside cuts. The one thing that I have found over the years is once you learn what blades to use, your cuts will be much smoother. Also as you become more proficient at scrolling, and that can only come with practice, your cuts will become much much smoother and will not require any sanding at all. Most of us sand both sides of our workpiece prior to doing any scrolling. That will eliminate trying to sand around areas that are very weak. Using a good reverse tooth blade in the correct tooth count will eliminate most all of the "fuzzies" on the under side. Buy yourself a small butane torch and very gently burn off the fuzzies that remain. Just be careful. I guess the best short answer I can offer is, take your time and learn the craft. You'll be amazed at how good you will get with just practice. I have looked back at some of the questions that I asked 7 years ago and I'm actually embarrassed that I asked them. But, as they say, there is no such thing as a "dumb" question other than the one that doesn't get asked. Scroll away, have fun and enjoy the ride. But be careful, it IS addicting.

 

Edited October 27, 2021 by OCtoolguy

[OCtoolguy]

On 10/23/2021 at 8:44 PM, Shadow Wizard said:

I am trying to find one of those.  I am located in Canada, so such stuff can be hard to find, or be called different things.  Any idea what else it may be called?  What are the bristles made out of?

If you have Harbor Freight up your way, here is their offering.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=sanding balls

[Joe W.]

3 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

On 10/23/2021 at 11:44 PM, Shadow Wizard said:

 

If you have Harbor Freight up your way, here is their offering.

Yeah, I got one of those a few months back and it works fairly well, getting most of the fuzzies from what I've cut out.  I'd buy it again.

[Tomanydogs]

Really @FrankEV ……..!!!!!

@Shadow Wizard you don’t need to google or You tube. There is so many years of scroll saw knowledge here at the village and so many kind people to help, you just keep asking what ever you like. I did understand the question and I also dislike sanding, so I’m finding all the tips very useful. Thank you for asking the question. 
When I first started scrolling I emailed Charles Dearing and asked him (I realize now) an absolutely ridiculous question. He was gracious enough to email me back and with very kind words gave me the best answer he could. I really appreciated that he took the time and reached out to me. 

Edited October 28, 2021 by Tomanydogs

[kmmcrafts]

21 minutes ago, Tomanydogs said:

Really @FrankEV ……..!!!!!

@Shadow Wizard you don’t need to google or You tube. There is so many years of scroll saw knowledge here at the village and so many kind people to help, you just keep asking what ever you like. I did understand the question and I also dislike sanding, so I’m finding all the tips very useful. Thank you for asking the question. 

I kinda imagined O/P found us doing a google search..  I don't think Travis designed this site to be for only educated questions and discussions either.. I kinda been biting my tongue on that reply of his.. as the written word has no expression and can be read in many different ways.. I don't think he meant it as we are reading it.. but you really do have to be careful how you write things to get them across in the way that you intended. The way it's read by you and I is very demeaning not only to the new person but also Travis too.. as this is the whole reason Travis puts in all his efforts to keep this site up and going smoothly is to help teach others and bring together a online community.. Not to tell them to google and youtube to learn before coming here to ask a question.

[Tomanydogs]

3 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

I kinda imagined O/P found us doing a google search..  I don't think Travis designed this site to be for only educated questions and discussions either.. I kinda been biting my tongue on that reply of his.. as the written word has no expression and can be read in many different ways.. I don't think he meant it as we are reading it.. but you really do have to be careful how you write things to get them across in the way that you intended. The way it's read by you and I is very demeaning not only to the new person but also Travis too.. as this is the whole reason Travis puts in all his efforts to keep this site up and going smoothly is to help teach others and bring together a online community.. Not to tell them to google and youtube to learn before coming here to ask a question.

Thank you Kevin. 

[Roberta Moreton]

I have cut sandpaper strips to fit inside cuts for some smoothing, use a utility knife, with the back side of the paper up.  It can help  

I did NOT read completely through all the comments, I just scanned. Quick question, what type of blades are you using? Flat or spiral? Spiral will not give a smooth finish. Less than smooth curves or not straight lines? You need to practice cutting.

I just had to throw out a complex piece because my curves were so bad, and I stack cut. With a reverse tooth blade.

 

Edited November 2, 2021 by Roberta Moreton

[barb.j.enders]

I purchased a nylon brush set intended to scrub tires.  I use the domed one in my drill press to remove the fuzzies and smooth the edges.  I will also use it after I put a finish on again, just to smooth it out.  Seems to be working fine.  Tried to find a link for it but couldn't.  I did purchase it at Canadian Tire.

[OCtoolguy]

3 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

I purchased a nylon brush set intended to scrub tires.  I use the domed one in my drill press to remove the fuzzies and smooth the edges.  I will also use it after I put a finish on again, just to smooth it out.  Seems to be working fine.  Tried to find a link for it but couldn't.  I did purchase it at Canadian Tire.

Barb, how about a pic of what you have? I'm trying to envision what you are talking about.

[barb.j.enders]

40 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

Barb, how about a pic of what you have? I'm trying to envision what you are talking about.

This is what I am using.  It is quite soft so no unexpected manicures!!!  Haven't had anything break yet while using it.