*This is my second WEN tool and they are both great **MyBest.Tools** I needed to do some trim work around the house and needed a scroll saw for the intricate work. No complaints so far.*
I am 70 years old and always painted the cut outs my husband did. Now I have my own scroll saw and am cutting my own patterns. Thank you for all the information you share with all us scrollers!
Very true! I snapped all my blades on the first day I got my scroll saw. (the 5 that came with the saw). I learnt to relax and take it easy. The first thing that happens when you start out is, nerves, it is a saw!!! You are nervous of the noise and the speed of the blade. Once you get used to it, you learn how to be more gentle and not grip the wood.
I want you to know that my dad bought me a scroll saw like two years ago.. I really wanted it for so many reasons! I love wood silhouettes, wood lettering.. and I also mosaic and paint on wood, so I wanted to be able to cut out any shape I wanted. But the couple of times I used it, I was so nervous! I figured it just wasn't meant for me. Your video popped up when RU-vid was just auto-playing videos. I listened to what you said about the beginners being so tense, and I thought it was just me!! So your video has actually made me feel so much better, and this weekend I'm going to go back out in my garage and give this scroll saw another go! Thank you so much for your wisdom ❤
Hi Britttany, good luck with your scroll saw. Make sure you watch my Scrollsaw Cutting for Beginners video series ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-upD6Mt86JV0.html This series will give you a good base of knowledge before you start. Have fun, stay relaxed and practice staying on the line before you make a real project. Scrolling is fun and should not scare you. So just relax and enjoy...Bob.
ScrollSawParadise I just absorbed those today! I will definitely practice with your cuts this weekend and get a better feel for it. I really appreciate all of your advice and your videos!
Not only was this video enjoyable to watch, but you explained everything I needed to know extremely well. Brand spankin new to scroll sawing and I have used up an entire package in around an hour. Liked and subscribed for the immense help.
I really liked your comments about relaxing … you’re right, I’ve just started and sometimes do exactly what you described … it helps to know it’s not just me, so … thank you :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was so helpful. I figured it was me, as I am a newbie. Your explanation was spot on and helped me better understand what I was doing.
Great video, thanks for the tips! Helped me loosen up a bit. I'm that guy that's clinching my teeth and has the death grip on the wood. Also noticed the top piece that holds the blade was turned about 5 degrees which wasn't helping my blades either..
I usually take a Valium about 30 min before woking with my scroll saw. I wind up being 150% relaxed. Haven't broke a blade yet. Only downfall to this is that it takes about 3hrs to do a 30 min project.
LOL Cole....Like I always say, take your time and relax. You are definitely heeding that advice and taking it to a new level! Have fun and stay awake...Bob
Thank you for the video. I went through 4 blades in 10 minutes. It drove me crazy. I used to use the scroll saw a few years ago and did have such a problem with it before. I started using it again a few weeks ago and I just can't seem to to stop breaking blades. I used to truly enjoy it but now it feels like I'm playing with a jack in the box. I'll take your advice. Thank you again.
Great analysis of the various factors that break blades -- thanks! I'm a newbie and this will help. By the way, it isn't "common sense" if it takes time and experience to learn.
Yes, you are right, yesterday I was cutting with my Motosaw by Dremel, and I was very tense using the tool. Even today I noticed I got a pain in my shoulder... So the best and the first thing to do is to be relaxed when cutting. And do not apply to much pressure in the piece of wood , and do not cut very fast. Additionally do not use a wood piece too tick, less than 1'
Hi Hugo, Scroll Sawing is supposed to be relaxing, stressless and free from shoulder pains. Sometimes, I still forget this and have to remind myself to relax, when I do my cuts always become better. Have a wonderful Christmas...Bob
Thank you Bob, for you too have a Merry Christmas too. Just initiating on this, my hobby is electronics, but sometimes I need to make my own cabinets or boxes, that was the reason I bought my jigsaw, but think the first time using this machine is tensioning since you want to be sure to keep your fingers off the saw :)
Tks for all the great info! My issue is that I don't seem to have a tension knob or anything on my older Dremel 1571 scroll saw. I snapped a blade this morning but did smell wood burn scent prior and the masonite I was cutting started off cutting like butter but soon came to a halt and the blade wouldn't continue. Of course, I pushed harder and...snap! Just ordered more 3" blades so have until next week to learn where the heck the tension is on my machine. So far, I've found no manual..
I should add that the blades on my Dremel are pin ends. I wish I could show you a photo of it as I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out where the tension controller is. (maybe there isn't one? To insert the pin end, I have to push down very hard on the top pin holder, and when I let go, the blade is in and very tight..)
Good video , I break them and have been scrolling 30 years . But probably wouldn't if I'd quit cutting and veining wood that's not suppose it be cut on the Scrollsaw , like 1&1/4 " Brazilian cherry . Hardly ever break one other than cutting this concrete wood . Good video Thanks
I got my scroll saw as a Christmas present about 20 years ago. Tried it out a few months later and after numerous times I gave up and didn't touch it after that. Now that I am retired, I would like to start using it but the problem I had was not being able to keep the blades mounted. They kept popping out on me, the instructions never made sense to me. The blades are the pin type. Any suggestions, going to buy new blades tomorrow and try again. Thanks
Hi Jimmy, I can't see a pinned blade popping out very easily unless your tension is really loose. After installing the blade I would adjust the tension on the blade tight enough to make sure it doesn't jump out. I'm sure your manual will explain how to adjust the tension...Bob
@@Scrollsawforum1 thanks Bob. I will try tomorrow with some new blades. The manual is long gone. Was looking online for one but I cannot even find the model number of this Craftsman. Let you know what happens tomorrow. Thanks for the response.
If you could put a musical note or sound to how much tension is optimal for most blades what sound would you say it might be? In my experience over the last 10 yrs that average tone sound is equivalent to about notes of "A," "B," or "C" depending on the thinness of the blade - thicker blades more towards the note of "A," whereas the skinnier they are, more towards the higher note of "C." Thoughts?
For stained glass or mosaic cutting with traditional tile or glass cutters are ok but if there is blade for the scroll saw you could do so much more quicker without the effort. Also have you tried to cut plastics on the scroll saw i imagine wood blades or metal blades would work well for cutting plastics to.
Hi I have come across a problem I have not experienced before, My blade keeps cutting to the right instead of in front of me I assume the blade is twisted but I cannot seem to correct it.Your help would be very much appreiciated.
Bings catties 2005 You can twist a blade if you turn the wood when the blade is not moving (going up and down) always make sure the blade is cutting when you turn your wood. If this is the case, and you did twist the blade, than the blade is ruined and you need to throw it away and install a new blade. Now scroll saw blades naturally pull to the right when cutting I made a video on what to do and how to cut ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8WYw855pI04.html this video should help you.
I cannot cut three minutes without a blade breaking. I have broken packages of blades. My previous saw broke blades but nothing like my current saw. Could it just be a bad saw, or are there things I can do to correct this problem. I have tried many different tensions.
My largest pattern is 11X14 and use 2/0 blades most of the time. Once in a while the blades have been twisted to tight when they are manufactured and they break very easy .Drives me nuts
nice discuss, Definitely keep the tension on the blade don't force the work agreed. Curious i get to some extent the blade size differences now for the thickness and types of wood to cut. But is there blades to cut metal , ceramics , glass , masonary materials with the scroll saw? And what about the hardwoods not the softwoods is there specific blade you can get to reduce the number of blades going thru/dulling?
hi thanks for your efforts i have a new Chinese scroll saw and have some problem with installing the blades it breaks very fast may be after 10 minutes i do your instructions in the video of "why do scroll blades break?" would you help me!! thanks in advance
Hi Dilys, I would use a #3 metal cutting blade like this one. mikesworkshop.com/collections/blades/products/iron-man good luck and hope this helped...Bob
Sir , purchased a web 3922 And Iam having difficulty installing the pinless blade! Can you make a short video or send me a link of a video you recommend on this issue I am having. Thank you
Thanks very much for such interesting video and important information. I wonder if you can recommend a good quality scroll saw which can provide a broader flexibility to someone starting in this art. I know Excallibur is excellent but $$$$. Anything between high priced and low cost scroll saws?
+Braulio Perez Braulio, I don't know if there is a Craigslist where you live, it is like the want ads in the newspaper, but that is where I bought my first scroll saw. It only cost me $10.00 and was not that great, but it worked for me for over a year while I was learning and I still have it as a backup in case my Ex needs repairs.
Today I went through 5 blades (1/4' red and 1/4" poplar). 1 Broke as I was ending a cut 2 more broke even though I just finished a cut and no material was going through it. The other 2 just was during a turn.
I like this video too Bob! I'm the newbie. When is it proper to use a spiral blade? It is my understanding that a spiral will cut in all directions. I think this would be the best scenario for a beginner. Where can I buy spiral blades? I my assumption right? Thank you.
Ellen Thorne I am not a fan of spiral blades, I rarely find a use for them. They serve a purpose for certain things, I guess, but I have yet to find a use for a spiral blade that can not be accomplished by a flat blade. Spirals are not really good for beginners, the slightest wiggle can really mess up a project. There is a weird cult like following of spiral blades for reasons I'll never understand. For me it is more of a style issue, I like clean crisp line when I cut my projects, you simply do not get crisp lines with a spiral. You can get spiral blades at this link. www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm
+Lynn Clary Hi Lynn, The original question was about beginners, I don't think too many beginners will be taking on Zafrino or Charles Dearing patterns. I know I wouldn't do one either simply because that type of pattern does not appeal to me. A spiral blade would be better suited for those type of patterns because they are large patterns. Thanks for your comment. Bob
I broke my band saw blade. Can too much tension be a factor as well? Second thing: worked on a big piece of oak. So - the harder the wood, the more the blade is heating up. Right? Thanks. 09:40 Okay - that has been answered. *No* over tensioning.
Bandsaws operate differently than scroll saws. On a bandsaw, because the blade goes in a big circle and the blade has a lot more mass than a scroll saw blade does, the bandsaw blade does not build up and retain heat like a scroll saw blade does. Heat is not really an issue with bandsaw blades. The same goes for the blade's tension, too much tension on a bandsaw blade can break the blade whereas on a scroll saw, the tighter the tension the better. For tensioning your band saw blade properly, I would recommend following the instructions in your bandsaws manual. If you don't have a manual you can easily find one on the internet with a couple Google searches. As for Oak, Oak is indeed a hardwood, but it is relatively easy to cut compared to woods like Purpleheart, Teak and Bubinga. Hope this helps and goodluck...Bob
Thanks a lot, Bob. This surely helps [ordered already a set of three new blades]. This is my very first band saw - I have practically no experience yet.
Alex Snodgrass is a master with Bandsaws, he has many videos on how to properly set up and use a bandsaw. I would highly recommend you watch some of his videos. Here is a link to one of them. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wGbZqWac0jU.html good luck, have fun and be safe with your new bandsaw...Bob
Hi! I just bought a Porter Cable scroll saw and after a week of light use, I noticed that the arm that holds the blade wiggles. Is there anything that I can tighten to fix it, and how do I do it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
Spratlyk9 behind the porter cable sticker on the arm there is a spot to tighten. Take it off and use the wrench that came with the saw to tighten it. Thats how mine was.
G53T1RM1N It doesn't matter what the brand of saw is, until you turn the saw off, the arms will go up and down possibly stabbing your work piece. A foot switch allows for very fast shut off of your saw. however the best thing you can do is to learn what you are doing to cause the blades to break and correct it. Not breaking blades solves the problem completely.
Not true. When the blade on my Hegner broke, tension on the spring on the back of the arm would pull the arm up and movement would stop. Since the long end of the broken blade would, most of the time be on the upper arm, it would be well out of harm's way. The broken part of the blade under the table would be too short to be any harm.
I'm sorry, I missed the last half of your message. It is true that learning proper technique will help eliminate blade breakage, even the best scroll sawyers break blades once in a while. And where it is true foot pedals are fast, your reflexes aren't faster than the stroke of your scroll saw.
Hi John, no it´s not normal. As long as the saw is running, the blade is tensioned nice and tight and the blade has not been twisted, the blade will not turn sideways when making any type of a turn. Bob
Hi Doug, I rarely use spiral blades and honestly haven't used one in years. I would think the same principles would apply to spiral blades as flat blades. I prefer flat blades and the clean cuts they make so I have little use for spiral blades...Bob
Hi Frank, Many things can determine the Strokes per minute (SPM) that the blade goes up and down, far too many to go over in this comment box. So I will simplfy it. Wood Type (Hard Soft), Wood thickness and your ability to stay on the line are the main factors. Thick wood = slower, Thin wood = Fasrter, can't stay on the line = slower. I am a huge advocate that slower is better, rarely do I ever set the speed of my saw faster than 3/4 speed, I usually run about 1/2 spm to 5/8 spm on my speed dial. The harder it is to cut and stay on the line, the more you should slow your speed down, if you see or smell smoke while cutting, slow down. I know this doesn't answer your whole question, but I'm running out of space. BTW...Enjoy cutting your Bunny and thank you for your purchase, let me know if you have any questions. Bob
You should not have to push too hard, but you do need to hold the wood down. If you have to push really hard to hold it down, it is likely that the blade is installed upside down. Make sure the teeth on the blade are pointing down...Bob
Hi Joge, it is the same advice, make sure your tension is very tight. This is even more important on spiral blades due to the various directions the blade cuts...Bob
I just recently subscribed to your channel. I like your down to earth explanations. The antelope next to this post is one of my recent projects. I do not own an Excalibur. I drool over them a lot. I am currently using a 16" Delta which is ok but not the best. Excalibur's are expensive. Can you tell me the advantage of an Excalibur over other saws on the market? Again, I enjoy your videos.
oldman719 Hi Oldman, Thanks for the comment and for subscribing. The antelope looks great! I totally understand what it's like having an average saw and drooling over the more expensive ones (My 1st saw was a $10.00 saw I bought off Craigslist). My cheap saw still cut wood and made many very nice projects for me. I think what the best feature of the Excalibur is that it makes everything easier to do. Changing blades is a breeze, adjusting the angle painless and cutting angles on the flat surface is much easier than try to do it on a slanted table. The Excalibur has made my cutting much more efficient, but in the end as long as the blade goes up and down, any scroll saw has the ability to make nice projects, it just might not be quite as easy. If you can afford an Excalibur than great, go for it. If you can't afford a pretty new saw, as long as your saw can put out projects, there really is no need to spend the extra money. The efficiency benefits that are gained with the Excalibur I don't think are worth all the extra money, unless you do a lot of angle cutting. And just to address a little myth that's out there. It seem like people always say how much better they can cut with their new saw, I think its just a way to justify their purchase. When you break it down, The persons ability to steer the wood into the blade or pick the right blade for the job did not get better just because they bought a saw, it just feels like it did. Kinda like buying a new car, you don't really drive any better, you just feel like you do.
It needs to be a high pitch ping, whether or not that is a C or G or some other note I couldn't tell you. I'm not very good with music notes. :-(...Bob