Would like some tips: I have been asked to teach scroll saw classes

[MarieC]

Where I work, I have been asked me to teach 4-6 hr scroll saw classes.  They will get me 3 or 4 new dewalts and 1 or 2 King scroll saws to have folks learn on.  I have never used either saws but I don't think I will have much trouble.  I have a Excalibur which I believe is similar to the King ...I think it is a top feed and I also have a Hawk G4 26 which I can top or bottom feed.  Is the Dewalt a bottom or top feed?   Anyway my questions are the following:

• Should I just start with an easy pattern like the Beginners practice piece such as the one we have here: 
• I thought it might be nice to do something that has a little bit of fret work so when they go home they have something to take home with them.  Like an ornament or?
• Should I use baltic birch or a hardwood that is maybe 1/4 -1/2 inch thick?
• Any suggestions on blade selection?
• Should I start from scratch with them and have them glue the pattern, drill the holes or should I just do that for them ahead of time?
• I would appreciate any tips that I should emphasize for beginners.

The hope is to get folks started, enjoy this fun activity (and of course introduce them to the Village!).  Thank you ahead of time for your suggestions and help

 

[don in brooklin on]

I have taught scrolling lessons for many years at our club and we have all Dewalts. Not my favorite as I have and EX-21.  I have found that I can only take max 4 students at a time as once they get scrolling it keeps you busy. I also have found that 3 hours is the about the limit. (for me and for them)

I start with going over the basics as I do them.  I found that if you teach all the options it takes too long so I try to do quick.

I have attached the 2 hand outs that I talk to.  The first is the basics and the second it the internet links that I use.

I am a die hard Flying Dutchman Ultra reverse user as find them not as aggressive as MGT or similar.  Each person gets a #3 and a #5 to start with.  (If they break one it is replaced.)

After the the basics, I then talk safety aspects of scrolling (ie dust) and the operation of the scroll saw.

I used to do the practice pattern page from Shelia Landy which is great for practice but when you have real newbies they get bored and I found they want to do something to take home.  Before they come to the class, I have them do homework by watching the video of Steve Good doing sharp corners.  

I use 1/4 BB for the practice pattern and phone stand.

My practice pattern is attached.  I first explain cutting straight lines and then cut in half.

Then cut the square to do more straight lines and square corners.  Then cut the cat to  learn sharp corners on the ears plus follow the curves and if they come off line to ease back on. (tip when pattern come off no one know where the line was.) Get a key chain.

We then cut the ornament. Teaches cutting "V" and a circle.

I then do the simplified phone stand. Usually have to fix up with disc sander LOL

Change blades to a number 5 and cut dog pattern. I have pattern attached to a piece of 3/4 maple or poplar.  Use painters tape for attaching pattern and wrap with clear box tape. (Just a tip for hardwood cutting)

That usually takes about 3 hours.  Some are quicker and so I have a couple of puzzles ready on 1/2 plywood.

This is my experience and if you have any question let me know.

PS:  I follow 101 course with compound cutting.

 

 

DWC Scrolling 101 links.pdf DWC ScrolSaw 101 basics.pdf dogsmaller.pdf DWC Simple practice .pdf phone stand simple.pdf

[MarieC]

Don @don in brooklin on,Wow! this is super helpful...I was hoping there was someone who had experience teaching....Let me look at all of this and digest it and I will get back to you with clarifying questions.  Thanks again

[scrollerpete]

Don is the man that will provide very good experience 

[barb.j.enders]

If @don in brooklin on hadn't already chimed in, I would have said Don.

Don,  Thanks for the simple patterns.  I always use the phone stand pattern you posted, but will personalize it for people.  I have stopped cutting the circle on the stand.  

[don in brooklin on]

13 minutes ago, barb.j.enders said:

If @don in brooklin on hadn't already chimed in, I would have said Don.

Don,  Thanks for the simple patterns.  I always use the phone stand pattern you posted, but will personalize it for people.  I have stopped cutting the circle on the stand.  

I change the phone stand all the time.  I had one class were the Lady wanted to learn how to do Celtic knots. 

So I put a Celtic know on her pattern.  Made her day.  That led to to ornament too which I still use.

[Bill WIlson]

Regarding your question about the Dewalt.  It will top or bottom feed, but it will need some sort of mechanical assistance to hold up the top arm.  A block of 2x4 will work for a quick solution.

The Dewalt is of the same basic design as the Excalibur, with some differences.  The Dewalt is much more aggressive than the EX and doesn't have the same capability to tune it as the EX.  Also, the table tilts on the Dewalt, not the arm frame, but I doubt you will be doing any bevel cuts at this point.

If you are limited on time, I would suggest trying to spend as much of it as possible in practicing on the saws.  Having them make a simple fretwork project is a good idea.  Have the wood prepped, patterns applied and holes drilled in advance.  All of that stuff can be explained verbally or perhaps type up some scroll saw basics to give your students as a hand-out.  Also a blade selection chart would be helpful for them.

 

Good luck.  We'll be interested to hear how it goes.

Edited yesterday at 02:37 PM by Bill WIlson

[MarieC]

17 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said:

Regarding your question about the Dewalt.  It will top or bottom feed, but it will need some sort of mechanical assistance to hold up the top arm.  A block of 2x4 will work for a quick solution.

The Dewalt is of the same basic design as the Excalibur, with some differences.  The Dewalt is much more aggressive than the EX and doesn't have the same capability to tune it as the EX.  Also, the table tilts on the Dewalt, not the arm frame, but I doubt you will be doing any bevel cuts at this point.

If you are limited on time, I would suggest trying to spend as much of it as possible in practicing on the saws.  Having them make a simple fretwork project is a good idea.  Have the wood prepped, patterns applied and holes drilled in advance.  All of that stuff can be explained verbally or perhaps type up some scroll saw basics to give your students as a hand-out.  Also a blade selection chart would be helpful for them.

 

Good luck.  We'll be interested to hear how it goes.

Thanks Bill, So if you top feed do you still need the 2x4 block? You are correct about not doing any beveled cuts.  I will talk about those since I use my EX 21 for that purpose but for this class it will be all flat cutting.   I think I may have the wood prepped as you said because in order for them to use any of our other tools like the drill press, our store requires them to take a Safety class and I think I may be able to have them skip that class if all they will be using is the scroll saw.  I can teach about safety just for that class.  Thanks again!

[Bill WIlson]

2 hours ago, MarieC said:

Thanks Bill, So if you top feed do you still need the 2x4 block?

It's just that the top arm on the Dewalt does not stay up by itself, nor does it have any built in feature to hold it up, like some other saws.  If you want the top arm to stay up, you will need something to do that.  A short piece of 2x4 is the simplest method.

[Scrappile]

I would take samples/pictures of different types of things that can be done with a scroll saw: Fretwork, puzzles, intarsia, 3D, inlay, relief, etc.  So they realize you can do wonderful things with a scroll saw.  At the end of the class, I would highly recommend they join Scroll Saw Village.  Prepare a handout that addresses this, plus where to get patterns, and supplies Print out some of the info from resources, on this site, like vendors and patterns sellers.  Maybe Woodcraft may not like you listing any of their competitors.  

I would expect to see many more scrollers on the east side of this state!!   I'm excited.  If you happen to run across someone from my area, feel free to give me a contact,  To help them in any way I can with their scrolling.  I know no one from my area will travel to Spokane for a class, but just in case that miracle happens..   There is another gentleman on here from Spokane who makes hulls for RC hydroplane boats.  He is not here often, but I think he still stops I once and a while.

[MarieC]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

I would take samples/pictures of different types of things that can be done with a scroll saw: Fretwork, puzzles, intarsia, 3D, inlay, relief, etc.  So they realize you can do wonderful things with a scroll saw.  At the end of the class, I would highly recommend they join Scroll Saw Village.  Prepare a handout that addresses this, plus where to get patterns, and supplies Print out some of the info from resources, on this site, like vendors and patterns sellers.  Maybe Woodcraft may not like you listing any of their competitors.  

I would expect to see many more scrollers on the east side of this state!!   I'm excited.  If you happen to run across someone from my area, feel free to give me a contact,  To help them in any way I can with their scrolling.  I know no one from my area will travel to Spokane for a class, but just in case that miracle happens..   There is another gentleman on here from Spokane who makes hulls for RC hydroplane boats.  He is not here often, but I think he still stops I once and a while.

Those are great suggestions.  I at least have time (I won't be teaching until August)  I will be sure to address all those that you mentioned and of course the village.  My Boss is pretty laid back so if we don't have an item in our store, he is cool on letting folks know where else they might be able to find them.  By the way we do get folks from your area as well as Walla Walla.  I think it will be great fun to have more scrollers coming to the store!  Anytime I run into someone who is a scrollsaw-er they are so excited when they find out that I am as well.  

[Roberta Moreton]

Marge, I have taught a few scroll saw classes.  I use The Scroll Saw Workbook. I bring it and have everyone look it over.  It has some simple lines, (Straight, curved, and curly). Then there are three relatively simple pieces to cut, a cat, a fish and a butterfly.  I also bring some Steve Good cell phone stands and patterns.  I have the lines ready to cut prepped on 1/4” plywood.  I bring an Amazon box as a spray box. Patterns, blades, spray sandpaper etc.  I demonstrate cutting, I will also demonstrate spraying and removing patterns. Steve Good has some simple patterns. I also go over basic maintenance. 

[Denny Knappen]

I also taught some classes at ArtCrafters, but on a one-on-one basis.  I use John A Nelson's book Scroll Saw Workbook.  I find going through lesson by lesson very helpful.

[MarieC]

54 minutes ago, Denny Knappen said:

I also taught some classes at ArtCrafters, but on a one-on-one basis.  I use John A Nelson's book Scroll Saw Workbook.  I find going through lesson by lesson very helpful.

Thanks Denny, I will look for that book and see if it will work for this class....thanks again!