Events Calendar
Fretwork
Saturday 15 July 2006, 08:00am - 09:30am
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Tools you need:
Scroll Saw - Your scroll saw must use pin-less blades in order to feed the blade through small holes. It should also be variable speed to deal with different thicknesses and varieties of wood and other materials.
Scroll Saw blades - Marty likes crown tooth blades because they make a smoother cut although they do cut slower than reverse tooth blades which are more aggressive. He typically uses #5 blades for general work and smaller, maybe 0/2 blades, for veining and smaller pattern cuts.
Magnifying Fluorescent Light - The extra light is usually needed to see the small pattern lines. The magnifying glass gives you a better view of where you are cutting and helps you keep the cut to the inside of, outside of, or on the line.
Patterns are available in many scroll saw books and magazine. You should pick plans that fall within your current experience level. Most patterns are rated for Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced scrollers. The most important step in starting a new fretwork project is to begin by reviewing your pattern to understand how it all goes together. Marty's experience is that many people just start cutting and then sometimes cannot put the pieces together. Always take the time to understand your pattern before you start to cut because most patterns come with virtually no instructions.
Marty also discussed making copies of your pattern. Be sure to make all the copies you need at one time on the same copying machine at the same settings. Using different copy machines can result in different levels of enlargement / reduction and pieces that will not fit together. He also talked about cutting other materials using a scroll saw including glass, solid surface materials, etc. and discussed how to make a water drip tank to keep your blade cool. He cautioned that using water to cool the blade is very messy and should only be attempted after you've ensured that there are no electrical hazards on the saw or on the floor.
Thanks Marty for showing us some of your beautiful fretwork pieces and for an interesting and enlightening class. Thanks also to Bob Brokaw and Ken Vickery for taking and preparing the pictures and to Jim Myrick for working the video camera during the class.
Paul Proffitt - President
Scroll Saw - Your scroll saw must use pin-less blades in order to feed the blade through small holes. It should also be variable speed to deal with different thicknesses and varieties of wood and other materials.
Scroll Saw blades - Marty likes crown tooth blades because they make a smoother cut although they do cut slower than reverse tooth blades which are more aggressive. He typically uses #5 blades for general work and smaller, maybe 0/2 blades, for veining and smaller pattern cuts.
Magnifying Fluorescent Light - The extra light is usually needed to see the small pattern lines. The magnifying glass gives you a better view of where you are cutting and helps you keep the cut to the inside of, outside of, or on the line.
Patterns are available in many scroll saw books and magazine. You should pick plans that fall within your current experience level. Most patterns are rated for Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced scrollers. The most important step in starting a new fretwork project is to begin by reviewing your pattern to understand how it all goes together. Marty's experience is that many people just start cutting and then sometimes cannot put the pieces together. Always take the time to understand your pattern before you start to cut because most patterns come with virtually no instructions.
Marty also discussed making copies of your pattern. Be sure to make all the copies you need at one time on the same copying machine at the same settings. Using different copy machines can result in different levels of enlargement / reduction and pieces that will not fit together. He also talked about cutting other materials using a scroll saw including glass, solid surface materials, etc. and discussed how to make a water drip tank to keep your blade cool. He cautioned that using water to cool the blade is very messy and should only be attempted after you've ensured that there are no electrical hazards on the saw or on the floor.
Thanks Marty for showing us some of your beautiful fretwork pieces and for an interesting and enlightening class. Thanks also to Bob Brokaw and Ken Vickery for taking and preparing the pictures and to Jim Myrick for working the video camera during the class.
Paul Proffitt - President
Location Stone Mountain Power Tool Corporation / Kentec, Lilburn, GA