Finally got some practice in!

[Eplfan2011]

I haven't been able to get back on the saw since cutting my first project. I put off mowing my yard today and get some much needed practice in.

 Decided to try actually cutting a couple of patterns. The first one was posted on here( I'm sorry I forgot who posted it for credit) it's a gnome, and the second is a Steve Good pattern. Both are straight off the saw the gnome is a 1/2 scrap oak and the other is just a cheap 1/8" luan plywood scrap, I figured it's not worth using good wood yet. I still need to cut a couple of bits, then I will sand them and give them a coat of paint.

 I've still got a long long way to go. I'm still having a problem turning inside 90° corners consistently  but I guess it's early days. The new light and magnifier worked well and I added the lockline upgrade for the blower, which is also great. Probably the most helpful addition was the foot pedal.

Well I've took up enough of your time but I just have to say how much I appreciate your skills and craft after seeing your work and attempting to try and do something passable myself.

 

 

 

[OCtoolguy]

26 minutes ago, Eplfan2011 said:

I haven't been able to get back on the saw since cutting my first project. I put off mowing my yard today and get some much needed practice in.

 Decided to try actually cutting a couple of patterns. The first one was posted on here( I'm sorry I forgot who posted it for credit) it's a gnome, and the second is a Steve Good pattern. Both are straight off the saw the gnome is a 1/2 scrap oak and the other is just a cheap 1/8" luan plywood scrap, I figured it's not worth using good wood yet. I still need to cut a couple of bits, then I will sand them and give them a coat of paint.

 I've still got a long long way to go. I'm still having a problem turning inside 90° corners consistently  but I guess it's early days. The new light and magnifier worked well and I added the lockline upgrade for the blower, which is also great. Probably the most helpful addition was the foot pedal.

Well I've took up enough of your time but I just have to say how much I appreciate your skills and craft after seeing your work and attempting to try and do something passable myself.

 

 

 

Looks good to me. Sharp corners are tough. 

[Eplfan2011]

5 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

 Sharp corners are tough. 

Seems like everything is tough for me

[Dak0ta52]

Looks like great cutting to me, Colin. Glad you found time to get on the saw.

[Eplfan2011]

49 minutes ago, Dak0ta52 said:

Looks like great cutting to me, Colin. Glad you found time to get on the saw.

Thanks, a million mistakes , but I'll get there eventually.

[OCtoolguy]

You are being way too hard on yourself. Your work is great and will just get better. The material you use can make a big difference. Also Steve Good has a very good video regarding how to cut square corners.

[Eplfan2011]

Thanks Ray, 

Yep I trolled youtube and found his video and a few others, it will click eventually, and yes I am hard on myself but that's just the way I'm made. I'm impatient and like to get stuff knocked out, I've got to remind myself to slow down and to be patient , the weather will be changing pretty soon and I'll have plenty of time to spend down here, and I know I'll improve.

 

[Foxfold]

Looking good, that's some nice work you've done.  Don't fret over corners, I've been scrolling 4 yrs and still approach the corners from both sides rather than do a full turn 

[don watson]

I think your work is great. You are being a bit hard on yourself but we all are I think. Definitely good work there.

[lawson56]

Love the Flag Awesome job on that!!! The Gnome looks Fantastic!!! Your corners are Great!!!

[daveww1]

your work is very nice

[barb.j.enders]

Very nice cutting.  I believe the gnome was done by Don in Brooklin.  !0+ years and I still don't do great on corners; that's what files are for

[Wichman]

" I'm still having a problem turning inside 90° corners consistently  but I guess it's early days. "

What blades are you using? Standard blades and MGT blades cut differently and need different techniques. Standard blades have a " burr " on one side ( generally the right hand side ) and will turn better if cutting into the burr. 

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by Wichman

[Eplfan2011]

1 hour ago, Wichman said:

What blades are you using? Standard blades and MGT blades cut differently and need different techniques. Standard blades have a " burr " on one side ( generally the right hand side ) and will turn better if cutting into the burr. 

 

Thanks for the info Wichman!

I'm using FD ultra reverse at the moment, being as I'm new at this I'll be trying others.  I should have used a smaller blade on the flag I realize that now, I was cutting 1/2 oak with a #5 just before and just continued using it to do the flag.

[OCtoolguy]

5 minutes ago, Eplfan2011 said:

Thanks for the info Wichman!

I'm using FD ultra reverse at the moment, being as I'm new at this I'll be trying others.  I should have used a smaller blade on the flag I realize that now, I was cutting 1/2 oak with a #5 just before and just continued using it to do the flag.

I use a #5 mgt Pegas on almost everything I do.

[savethebeer]

21 hours ago, Eplfan2011 said:

. I put off mowing my yard today and get some much needed practice in.

When you've put off mowing, painting, changing the oil, going outside, eating food whilst its at least warm, getting your hair cut, Even after all that you'll still feel that you need 'some much needed practice' so thats perfectly normal. Those cuttings look fine to the rest of us but you'll always know the one corner on a piece where you could have done better. Just remember, once the pattern is removed then no one else will ever be able to see anything wrong.

 

Bob 

[Eplfan2011]

40 minutes ago, savethebeer said:

When you've put off mowing, painting, changing the oil, going outside, eating food whilst its at least warm, getting your hair cut, Even after all that you'll still feel that you need 'some much needed practice' so thats perfectly normal. Those cuttings look fine to the rest of us but you'll always know the one corner on a piece where you could have done better. Just remember, once the pattern is removed then no one else will ever be able to see anything wrong.

 

Bob 

Thanks Bob, I'm just in a hurry to learn, I've had the saw a month and that's only the third time I've got to saw. I see all the beautiful stuff you guys are churning out and I want to be there .... I know be patient

[OCtoolguy]

2 hours ago, Eplfan2011 said:

Thanks Bob, I'm just in a hurry to learn, I've had the saw a month and that's only the third time I've got to saw. I see all the beautiful stuff you guys are churning out and I want to be there .... I know be patient

I would say that you have been bit by the bug. For sure. It will only get worse.

 

[Eplfan2011]

35 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

I would say that you have been bit by the bug. For sure. It will only get worse.

 

Well I needed a new hobby Lmao

[TAIrving]

On 8/28/2022 at 10:02 PM, Eplfan2011 said:

Thanks, a million mistakes , but I'll get there eventually.

Welcome to the obsession hobby!  Your work will get better.  Save these first few cuttings.  In the future you can compare what you are doing to these and see how much you have improved.  

[Eplfan2011]

14 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

I would say that you have been bit by the bug. For sure. It will only get worse.

 

I hope not, I already have a pretty long shopping list ... Which may or may not include another saw, I'm thinking one is not enough?...right? .....

[Scrappile]

That is some nice cutting.   Keep stepping up the challenge... You are well on your way..

[Eplfan2011]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

That is some nice cutting.   Keep stepping up the challenge... You are well on your way..

Thanks Scrappile !

[Blaughn]

When I was teaching my grandkids to use the scrollsaw I had them do an exercise that helped them learn to turn corners with confidence.  Drill an appropriate size pilot hole for the blade you are using.  Then feed the blade through the hole and get it properly tensioned.  Put slight pressure on the back of the blade with the stock.  Start the saw and practice rotating the stock around the pilot hole with constant, very gentle pressure on the back of the blade.  It gives you a feel for the turning tight corners and gives you confidence that you can make a turn without the teeth cutting the stock.  

Bruce

Edited August 31, 2022 by Blaughn

[OCtoolguy]

19 hours ago, Blaughn said:

When I was teaching my grandkids to use the scrollsaw I had them do an exercise that helped them learn to turn corners with confidence.  Drill an appropriate size pilot hole for the blade you are using.  Then feed the blade through the hole and get it properly tensioned.  Put slight pressure on the back of the blade with the stock.  Start the saw and practice rotating the stock around the pilot hole with constant, very gentle pressure on the back of the blade.  It gives you a feel for the turning tight corners and gives you confidence that you can make a turn without the teeth cutting the stock.  

Bruce

That's an excellent suggestion. Learning to put tension on the back side of the blade when approaching a sharp turn is key. I've never tried this but I've heard that taking a medium grit stone to the back edges of your blades will help too. I've also heard the same regarding bandsaw blades.