Scroll Saw woodwork is beautiful, very intricate and detailed wood work. The pictures have so much detail that it is almost hard to believe that someone could do this by hand with a scroll saw. All of the scroll saw work that is being shown here is done by my father. He is amazing at what he does and I am so proud of him for all that he does. He has put a lot of work into these pieces.

Scroll Sawing as a Hobby

Scroll Sawing is a hobby whose popularity has grown rapidly over the last few years. Both men and women as well as youngsters are discovering the thrill of using a scroll saws to produce remarkably delicate and detailed works of art. Most people that start the hobby of scrolling find it to be not only enjoyable and relaxing but quiet additive as well. Some make scrolled items for themselves and for gifts while others have turned their hobby of scrolling into a small business, and still others just sell enough of their completed work to pay for the wood and supplies that they use.

In his small workshop off the garage, Don slips a piece of wood over the saw blade, tightens the blade and scrolls away. He turns the wood this way and that, around the oscillating blade, to create a small intricate cutout that in the scope of a project helps to tell a story.

Beginner's Guide to the Scroll Saw

While this brief guide only scratches the surface of the existing knowledge and techniques regarding the tool known as the scroll saw, it provides a quick explanation of the key concepts of this special tool.

Otherwise sawing with a scroll saw is easy and fun. Most pieces you will be cutting have smoother and gradual curves and longer lines to cut. Please work in a well ventilated room when using a scroll saw and avoid inhalation of fine dust particles. Wear a paper mask if you can.

Basic Wood Cutting with a Scroll Saw

If you are wanting to try your hand at scroll work, and have not yet bought a saw, I hope these guidelines will help. I like at least a 16" scroll saw as it gives you more working area. The saw should be a variable speed saw. Different woods cut better at different speeds. The controls for on/off, and to set speed, should be right up front. Next check to see if it comes with adapters so you can use pin-less blades as well as pinned blades. Some scroll saws come with a light mounted near the front to make it easy to see your pattern lines.

Scroll Saw Basics

If you are wanting to try your hand at scroll work, and have not yet bought a saw, I hope these guidelines will help. I like at least a 16" scroll saw as it gives you more working area. The saw should be a variable speed saw. Different woods cut better at different speeds. The controls for on/off, and to set speed, should be right up front. Next check to see if it comes with adapters so you can use pin-less blades as well as pinned blades. Some scroll saws come with a light mounted near the front to make it easy to see your pattern lines.

The fundamentals covered are simple cuts, drilling, and sanding techniques for basic woodworking projects. With knowledge and some practice of these woodworking skills, you should be able to create your own quality items.

Wonderful, Rewarding, Easy Woodworking Hobby

When it comes to wood crafting the choices are many. When one thinks of scroll sawing there are several areas to think about. Fretwork and Inlay are 2 that come to mind when thinking about 2 dimensional scroll sawing work. I consider Intarsia to be more 3 dimensional but all 3 of these use the scroll saw as the power tool of choice. Other woodworking choices are carving, wood turning, wood burning, and Whittling, just to name a few.

Scroll Saw Techniques

The important thing to remember when cutting with a scroll saw, is to try to not go too fast. Most scroll saws have very small motors and fine blades. They are not designed for speed cutting. If you try to cut too fast, especially on hard woods, the blade will have a tendency to walk in its own direction. The scroll saw will then be in control and not you. Breaking a lot of blades is a good indication of excessive speed.