Snippet Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 Hi there I'm new to scrolling so any tips will be gratefully received What's the best wood to practice on?I have a joiner friend who has given me some offcuts and there's more thinner MDF than other wood, is this suitable?Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Prozora Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 I practiced on ply wood nd any other scraps that were laying around before I made my first project. So the ply would be great for practicing fret work and a nice pine would be great for making other things and practicing the tight cuts and such. Just let the blade do the cutting and go slow. Good luck.. What saw do you have? I have a Dremel Moto saw and the shop fox 16" variable sped scroll saw which conked out and now I have the big yellow Dewalt 788 Love it but hope it will not conk out. Good luck again Fay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 Good morning Lindsay MDF is fine along with any other woods you may have available to practice on. Try stay with a thickness of no more than 1/2". Cutting speed will dictate type of blade and wood. You'll find after just a few practice cuts your confidence will build and you'll soon after be working producing your first project. Protect your lungs and wear a good quality dust mask at all times. Your lungs will thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 Lindsay, My thoughts Practice brings to mind that you will be tossing what you cut. Find a pattern you like that has a look that you can do it. Approach cutting the pattern to finish it and learn as you go. If...if at some point you consider it a throw away, then I guess you practiced. But what if your practice piece comes out just perfect on an ugly piece of wood. Again, find a pattern you like, a wood that goes with it and cut it with the intent it 'will' be a gift to someone... maybe yourself. I hang my mistakes on my garage wall and to my surprise, I've had admirers. Just cut it.... Larry Sparkey, Fish and jack fish 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 Lindsay looks like all the answers are there but I must reiterate about protect with this dust from MDF it's not good, practice with ply I would or pallets or orange boxes from the grocer. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 I'll second Roly's comment. MDF is the 'dirtiest' sheet good you can work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 I third Roly's suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areynoldsre Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 Yes, I recommend using wood. Ply, anything you don't care too much about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack fish Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 You should be able to find some 1/4" birch ply in smaller than 4' X 8' sheets. I made a mistake and purchased a sheet that was not "Good two sides". Don't make this same mistake because your end product will horribly suffer. Home stores sell less than 4'x8' but it is really expensive considering the cost of the full sheet. I am a newbie myself and wish I would have spent the extra few dollars initially for a full and proper sheet. (G2S) You can achieve some really good results with this type of wood and therefore your enthusiasm for your new found hobby will not wane. Any plan you come across on this site or any magazine subscription can be done on this ply. I say practice like its the last thing you will ever do. Leave the MDF to those that want rough framing for a cabinet or maybe a down draft table. Jack LarryEA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don in brooklin on Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 My first project in a class at my club was done on 3/4 inch poplar. Pine sometimes has very defined grain is a little harder to cut. Poplar It doesn't stain well but it does paint well. My next project was using Baltic Birch (comes as 5 x 5) as it should not contain any voids. Use either 1/4 or stack cut 2 1/8 pieces for better stability. My very first project is below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Thin woods your machine will be best controlled at slow speeds till your skills excel and confidence grows.Pine has different types of grain it it and some cut easy and some not so easy all in the same piece of wood ,this will cause your blade to wander going from one grain to another.Something to be on the look out for.Plywood is consistent No grain ,but cheapo types have voids i them and all of a sudden your blades races forward and will cause you to make a mistake intentionally.Using scroll reverse blades cuts down on a lot of sanding on the reverse side of your project if needed.Let the blade do the work and not force the wood in to it.Always remember when your having trouble controlling your cutting ,slow the machine down.hope this helps your scrolling pleasure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 I agree with most of the above posts. Wood pallets are often thrown out by your local grocers and if you ask, you might find they would be happy to give you some. Then you can just cut of the boards between the support frame boards and sand the smooth on both sides and make something from a pattern yo like, as a gift for someone and you will be making things you love to keep at no wood cost what so ever. Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snippet Posted March 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Thanks for your replies guys, sorry for delay in answering them...I had man flu I'm starting with a Draper 89334 400 mm 230-Volt 85-Watt Fret Saw and will see how I get on with it. Yeh, the MDF was messy, not good for my itchy throat either so this week starting with 6 mm ply, see how I go with that. Thanks again for taking time to read and reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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