How to Use Scroll Saws
Scroll saws can be used to create cutouts from wood. You can cut almost any shape out of the wood, and these shapes can be used as decorations. You can also cut out intricate design patterns when you become more familiar with the scroll saw. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Scroll saw and blades
- Safety glasses
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Stencils (optional)
- Wood (1/2 inch thick or thinner)
Instructions
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Equip the scroll saw with a spiral blade before starting any project. This is important! Secure the scroll saw to the work space, as the vibration of the scroll saw can make some models slide while you are cutting and this can be dangerous. It is always best to anchor the scroll saw to the work bench or table it is sitting on.
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Choose or design a pattern that you want to cut out. If you have never used a scroll saw, start with a simple shape like a circle or heart.
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Trace or draw the pattern onto wood that is 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Pieces this size are easier to work with when you're first learning how to use a scroll saw.
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Put on the safety glasses. Using a scroll saw creates quite a bit of sawdust. Small wood chips can also fly off the project unexpectedly. These hazards can cause severe eye damage. It is imperative you always wear safety glasses when using power tools.
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Slide the wood onto the saw table and place it under the hold down mechanism. This is the part of the scroll saw that surrounds the blade. The hold down mechanism can be raised or lowered as needed. This keeps the wood from bouncing around the saw table as you are cutting.
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Turn on the scroll saw. If there is a light attached to the saw, turn it on. There should also be a sawdust blower that turns on to keep the saw table and project piece free from sawdust.
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Cut slowly along the pattern line. Let the saw blade do the work. Do not force the wood into the blade, as this will add extra tension to the blade and cause it to break. If you have equipped the scroll saw with a spiral blade you will not need to turn the wood. The spiral blade will cut at any angle. You will just need to guide the wood along the pattern lines.
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Turn off the scroll saw and the light when you have finished cutting the project piece.
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Clean up the work station. A build up of sawdust in the work area can damage the scroll saw.
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Tips & Warnings
By drawing several patterns onto one piece of wood, you can continuously work until all the pieces have been cut out.
When cutting several project pieces from one section of wood, do not draw the patterns with connecting sides. The scroll saw blade cuts on the line but there is still a fraction of an inch cut off, and each project piece would be a different size. The only time you would do this is when you are cutting a jigsaw puzzle.
Always keep several scroll saw blades on hand in case one breaks or bends.
You should never try cutting hardwoods that are thicker than 1/2 inch. The blade can buckle, wedge or even break.
Pressed wood or particle board should only be used for project pieces that do not have a great deal of fret work. These woods tend to splinter when doing detail work.
