Wednesday, January 27, 2016

I Love You, Love Birds Scroll Saw Pattern.

It's been a long time since I talked about scroll saw blades here on the blog. It's one of the more common questions I get in my daily email. If you are new to the scroll saw then you are probably trying to figure out the best blade to use for a given project.

I'm not going to go into depth here tonight but since I have had the question a few times this week I thought I give it a quick mention.

There are several different brands and types of scroll saw blades. It can be confusing and you will get as many different opinions about which blade to use as there are blades.

The first thing you will probably notice is there are pin end blades and plain end blades. This choice is easy. You want to purchase plain end blades. Not all saws are made to accept plain end blades but if yours does then that's what you need. Pin end blades are for very basic scroll work. You can get a plain end blade through much smaller interior entry holes which allows finer fretwork. If you saw only takes pin end blades there are sometimes conversion kits that allow the use of plain end blades. If that is not the case for your saw then don't give up. There are many projects that can be made with pin end blades. you just have to be more careful in the patterns you choose.

Okay now you are shopping for plain end blades. You notice there are two types. Spiral and straight cut blades. The vast majority of fine fretwork is done with straight cut blades. There are people who will beg to differ with this but trust me when I say it's easier to learn to use a straight cut blade. Some patterns, for example portrait style patterns are better cut with a spiral blade. Sometime if you are cutting a very large project the spiral blade is the only choice because you don't have to turn the board when using the spiral blade. It cuts in every direction.

Now you are ready to purchase some straight cut blades and there are all these numbers and letters on the package. What do they mean? #1, #3, #5, scroll reverse, skip tooth etc. Let me make it easy for you. I cut 95% of my projects with these three blades. A #3 scroll reverse and a #5 scroll reverse. After that I occasionally use a #7 scroll reverse for thicker or more dense woods. That's it. I own some of just about every type of blade made but those three blades get the job done most of the time.

The other 5% of the time I may use some of the specialty blades. For example I use blades intended for jig saw puzzles when I'm cutting a puzzle. I use a spiral when I cut a portrait. The rare time when I'm cutting thin metal I'll use a metal cutting blade.  

My suggestion if you are just getting started is to buy some #3, #5 and #7 scroll reverse blades. If you want to try the spirals then buy a few of them. Practice with these blades. After you have some experience start adding other types of blades to your collection and see what works well for you.

There are charts out there that will give recommendations for which blade to use for a certain thickness and hardness of wood. Those are fine but just remember they are just recommendations. Sometimes you have to break the rules.

When it comes to brands I use Flying Dutchman blades. I also like Pegas blades and Olsen brand blades are usable but I think they are a slight step down from the other two. The blades that come with the saw when you take it out of the box are usually throw always. Do yourself a favor and buy quality blades before you make your first cut. 

This has been a very basic introduction to scroll saw blades. There are many variables that go into each blade when it is manufactured. If you have the interest then by all means do your research and learn what all the specs mean. Just don't get so wrapped up in blades that you don't get started cutting projects. The best thing you can do to become a better scroll saw user is to cut projects. You will learn more from one hour of cutting than you will from 3 hours of reading.

All this is just my opinion from 30 plus years of running a scroll saw. If your opinion is different, I say great. It's about the project that comes off the saw and not the machine or technique. I have seen some beautiful work come off a $70 scroll saw using pin end blades. Just saying.  

 
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http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Click now and make a family heirloom this weekend.

If you would like to have all the patterns in the Scrollsaw Workshop catalog you can buy the first six years DVD and the 2013 update DVD at this link. DVD #1 is $20 and contains over 1,100 patterns. The 2013 update DVD is $7.50 and has another 178 patterns. The 2014 update DVD is $7.50 and has another 223 patterns.

This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!






https://www.bearwood.com/
Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!


Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties. Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

http://seyco.com/
Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Free Pattern Catalog. 1000's of free patterns.

http://www.stevedgood.com/catalog/

Thousands of FREE scroll saw patterns. No registration or signup required.

The projects form these patterns can be sold without restrictions. The patterns cannot be sold.

Click here for the Free Online Catalog.

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Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make. 

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order. Click the picture to order.
http://www.stevedgood.com/swpd/swpdorderpage.html
You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1
Download the Free Scroll Saw Pattern Printer Version 1.1. Create name patterns in seconds. Windows PC only.
Download Version 1.1
Please consider a $5 donation for The Scroll Saw Pattern Printer v1.1.

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker. Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.
The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed. Please consider a $5 donation for the program.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.
Download the Free Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker. Create Oval key chain patterns in seconds.
Download Version .9a
Please consider a $5 donation for The Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker.

T-Shirts and More.

T-Shirts and More.
Show your love for the hobby and support the Scrollsaw Workshop. Safe and secure order fullfilled by CafePress. Take a look. You are sure to find something you like. CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the store.

The Lifter

Papa's Custom Patterns.

www.papasworkshop.net

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.
Buy This Wonderful Heirloom Puzzle Pattern

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.
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Disclaimer:
The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.

Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts