First cut

[Eplfan2011]

Well I put my parts on my saw this morning and decided to try it out. I wanted to try something simple as this was my first time using a scroll saw.

 Knocked up this pattern in inkspace with a font I liked taped it up and went at it! Next time I'll make the outline in grey and thinner as the blade was hard to see in the black. I mostly kept to the line (but they are only a suggestion right) but the s has a few flatspots on it ( I'm presuming I'm turning without feeding?) 

 Kind of embarrassing after seeing what you guys turn out but realize we all have to start somewhere.

 Thanks for all the positive input on my posts so far ( I know the new guy can be anoying ) and any constructive criticism is appreciated if it's going to improve my work, it needs it

Thanks for looking !

 

[Ctutor]

My 89 year young eyes also find it hard sometimes to see lines.  I put a light down on the side of the table so it shines across the work piece.  By moving the light I can make a sharp shadow on the line at the saw point that tends to highlight the blade.  Works real good on a 2.0 blade that is small to be gin with.  Your work is nothing to hide ;looks great!.

[Denny Knappen]

For the first, looks real good.  A suggestion, keep your first project in your shop and watch your progress as you scroll through life.

[Eplfan2011]

9 minutes ago, Denny Knappen said:

For the first, looks real good.  A suggestion, keep your first project in your shop and watch your progress as you scroll through life.

Thanks Denny ... will do!

[Dak0ta52]

I see nothing wrong with your first cut. In fact, I think it is pretty darn good! If you are familiar with Inkscape, I might suggest putting the cut lines in red and your pattern fill in a light gray. I set my stroke (lines) at .009 of an inch and try to split the line when I'm cutting. If you drift off the line, don't try to jump back onto the line quickly. Gradually work your way back toward the line. As Darryl (Ctutor) said, a light also helps. I have a lighted magnifier that makes the lines look huge and makes them much easier to follow. When I sometimes look around the magnifier straight at the pattern, I think to myself, darn those are really thin lines. Keep up the good work. You'll be jumping on some major fretwork very soon.

[Oldmansbike]

Looks great to me. A lot better than my first cutting 

[Sycamore67]

Looks good especially for a first try.  

[Freddie]

Looks great to me. I started using red lines to help with shadows and tracking the blade. I have started using a magnifier as well, but sometimes it actually makes my vision worse if I get the focal length off. What type blade did you use?  Thanks in advance 

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, Eplfan2011 said:

Thanks Denny ... will do!

Be sure to date it too. Look back a year from now. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

I wish I had done as well on my first cut. Great job.

 

[Scrappile]

Nothing wrong with that cutting.  Did you enjoy doing it?  If so you are well on you way.

[Eplfan2011]

2 hours ago, Dak0ta52 said:

I see nothing wrong with your first cut. In fact, I think it is pretty darn good! If you are familiar with Inkscape, I might suggest putting the cut lines in red and your pattern fill in a light gray. I set my stroke (lines) at .009 of an inch and try to split the line when I'm cutting. If you drift off the line, don't try to jump back onto the line quickly. Gradually work your way back toward the line. As Darryl (Ctutor) said, a light also helps. I have a lighted magnifier that makes the lines look huge and makes them much easier to follow. When I sometimes look around the magnifier straight at the pattern, I think to myself, darn those are really thin lines. Keep up the good work. You'll be jumping on some major fretwork very soon.

I have a harbour freight magnifier and light, magnifier makes my eyes go funny so I just use the light lol.

Thanks for the kind words but I'm gonna have to work on some of those curves they are rough 🫣

I'm pretty familiar with SVGs as I have to make my older kids custom tee shirts and vinyl stickers for their vehicles. The stuff they want usally is custom so I have to design them too.

Edited August 11, 2022 by Eplfan2011

[Eplfan2011]

25 minutes ago, Freddie said:

What type blade did you use?  Thanks in advance 

Flying Dutchman #3 reverse

Magnifier messes with my vision too !

[Foxfold]

I think it' great.  I'd struggle to cut anything that thick now let alone when I first started.  Well Done. !!   As others have said, perhaps changing your patterns to a grey background with red lines would help, I do this to all my patterns as my old eyes lose the blade with black lines. 

[Eplfan2011]

23 minutes ago, Foxfold said:

I think it' great.  I'd struggle to cut anything that thick now let alone when I first started.  Well Done. !!   As others have said, perhaps changing your patterns to a grey background with red lines would help, I do this to all my patterns as my old eyes lose the blade with black lines. 

Thanks just 3/4 pine pretty soft, I didn't realize thicker was harder to cut, probably helped me as I have a tendency to rush and I had to feed it slower. 

[lawson56]

Hey I think you did a Fantastic job!! You should have seen mine, it was suppose to be a Heart. but it didn't turn out so well

[Eplfan2011]

1 minute ago, lawson56 said:

Hey I think you did a Fantastic job!! You should have seen mine, it was suppose to be a Heart. but it didn't turn out so well

Thanks as I said earlier I've had a bandsaw for years and the technique is pretty similar so..... 

[crupiea]

Looks great.

I put my light pretty far to the side to see the line better.  That way the shadow of the blade doesnt work against me.  I use a floor lamp with a bendy neck thing i got at walmart.  Also a super bright light bulb. 

[OCtoolguy]

3 hours ago, Eplfan2011 said:

I have a harbour freight magnifier and light, magnifier makes my eyes go funny so I just use the light lol.

Thanks for the kind words but I'm gonna have to work on some of those curves they are rough 🫣

I'm pretty familiar with SVGs as I have to make my older kids custom tee shirts and vinyl stickers for their vehicles. The stuff they want usally is custom so I have to design them too.

Maybe you can contribute in that area. I've been trying for 5 years and can barely do anything. I might become your least favorite Villager.

[Eplfan2011]

5 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

Maybe you can contribute in that area. I've been trying for 5 years and can barely do anything. I might become your least favorite Villager.

I'll try but I'm no expert by far, I know just enough to be dangerous.

[Sycamore67]

I had a Harbor Freight magnifier and could not stand it.  I got an Ottlite magnifier light with a 3X lens and no issues.  I think the quality of the optics is significantly better.  Also, my magnifier is not attached to the saw so there is no vibration.  

[Eplfan2011]

4 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said:

I had a Harbor Freight magnifier and could not stand it.  I got an Ottlite magnifier light with a 3X lens and no issues.  I think the quality of the optics is significantly better.  Also, my magnifier is not attached to the saw so there is no vibration.  

I'm sure the lens is sub par, it's harbour freight! But saying that my eyesight is not what it used to be and I wear glasses. I don't think it's the lens because if I just look with one eye (either one) it's fine. My light is attached to the saw but there is little or no vibration and the light is steady with no movement.

[John B]

A pretty good effort for a first go. My 1st attempt, you'd of been surprised to know I followed a line
Definitely worth getting a quality glass and light. I purchased mine many years ago from the WA Blind Institute. I don't usually wear my glasses when using the magnifier, I find that a very low power set of readers are all I need. If I wear my normal glasses It all goes to mud.
Try Cutting on a red line, I always convert my patterns to Red line with a very light grey, blue or green infill.
Keep on Keeping On

[Foxfold]

Magnifiers make me dizzy so I wear a pair of glasses over my glasses   works for me 

[Sycamore67]

10 hours ago, Eplfan2011 said:

I'm sure the lens is sub par, it's harbour freight! But saying that my eyesight is not what it used to be and I wear glasses. I don't think it's the lens because if I just look with one eye (either one) it's fine. My light is attached to the saw but there is little or no vibration and the light is steady with no movement.

I had the same issue with the Harbor Fright lens.  With a better lens, the sweet spot is bigger and I have both eyes open with no problem.  Everyone's eyes are different so the reaction to different lens will vary.  

When I do Intarsia, I need to cut on one half of the line to get a good fit.   I can not do that without a magnifier.

[daveww1]

excellent job