Tips and Tricks
I have put together a list of scroll saw tips and tricks that I have learned over the years. This will be a living page as I will continue to add to this list as I discover new Tricks and Tips.
If you have any scroll saw tips or tricks that you would like to share, please let us know in the comments below and we will add your idea to this list and include your name and website if you wish.
Pin-End or Plain-End Blades?
When looking to purchase a new scroll saw, you need to determine what kind of project you are planning to do. If you are doing fretwork, then you should look at a scroll saw that accepts pinless / plain-end blades.
https://scrollsawnewb.com/scroll-saw-blades/
Save Broken and Used Blades
When you break a blade, save it so you then can use it to unplug a clogged entry hole if needed.
Release Tension on the Blade When Not in Use
When you are finished scrolling for the day, release the tension of your blade. This will help prolong the life of your blade.
Take Breaks Often
Take breaks often to reduce mistakes caused by fatigue. I usually try to take a five-minute break every twenty minutes. I step away from the saw and do some other tasks, for instance, drilling out pilot holes for other scroll saw projects. This allows me to go back to scrolling more refreshed.
Wax the Table
Applying a coat of regular paste finishing wax to the table of your scroll saw will help reduce friction when cutting out your project.
Use Mineral Spirits to Remove the Pattern
If you attach your pattern using spray adhesive, you will need to remove it when you are finished cutting out the project. Applying mineral spirits to the pattern will dissolve the glue and the pattern will easily peel off. Some methods to apply the mineral spirits are by wiping it on with a rag, using a spray bottle, or dunking it in a container. Once applied simply wait for a minute or so allowing it to dissolve the glue and then just peel it off.
Packing Tape to Prevent Burning
Applying packing tape over your pattern. Then drill out the pilot holes for the internal cuts. The packing tape will help lubricate the blade significantly reducing burn. This is especially true when using cherry or maple.
Blade Lubricant
Use a blade lubricant to extend the life of your blades and to prevent burning. I use the Olson brand saw blade lubricant available at Walmart, Amazon and other scroll saw supply stores. I have read however that a regular white candle can be used as a blade lubricant as well.
Stack Cut
Stack cutting is when you stack two or more pieces of stock in layers and apply the pattern on the top piece. You then wrap it in tape, drill the holes, and start scrolling. You cut out the pattern as if you were cutting one project, yet end up with two or more completed projects. This can only be done with thinner stock. The number of layers depends on your blade selection, species of wood, and also the scroll saw itself. For instance, I can only stack cut up to three layers of ¼ inch stock reliably. This is a great way to cut out simple ornament patterns.
Draw Circles Around Pilot Holes on the Bottom of the Wood
After you drill pilot holes for internal cuts, circle the holes on the bottom of the wood. You can also stick a #2 pencil point into the hole and twist it a few times to make the mark. This will help you find the holes easier when feeding your blade from the bottom of the project. ~Tip from Wayne Heil~
Square the Blade to the Table
A quick and easy way to make sure the blade is 90 degrees to the table, is to make a cut in a piece of scrap wood about ½ to ¾ in deep. Then take the scrap wood and feed it into the blade from the back of the blade (where there are no teeth). If it slides into the blade easily with no resistance, the blade is 90 degrees to the table.
Check for Square Often
One indication that the blade may not be square to the table is if your internal cuts do not pop out easily. This will also result in a beveled cut.
Magnifying Lamp
Use a magnifying lamp to see your project better. With better illumination, you will reduce the risk of mistakes in your scroll saw projects. This is very helpful, particularly when cutting very small internal cuts. These are available at many retailers such as Harbor Freight, Lowes, Home Depot, and Amazon, etc..
Refrigerator Magnets for a Quick and Easy Zero Clearance Insert
If you need a quick and easy zero clearance insert for just a few cuts, use a refrigerator magnet business card. These are advertisements printed on a thin sheet of magnetic material and are sometimes found on phone books or other places. The bigger ads work better however I have used many sizes and I save all them when I find them. They are disposable as they get worn out pretty quick.
Blue Painters Tape for a Quick and Easy Zero Clearance Insert
Another quick and easy zero clearance insert is blue painter’s tape. This is easy to remove and is actually a lot thinner than the refrigerator magnet business cards. The only disadvantage is that it is not reusable.
Get Scraps and Cutoffs from Cabinet Shops
You can sometimes get scraps and cutoffs from cabinet shops or other woodworking businesses. Some cabinet shops will sell these pieces. Other shops burn their cutoffs or throw them away so they may even provide them to you for free. You can find cabinet shops in your local phone directory or online.
Use a Momentary Power Foot Switch
A “momentary power foot switch” is a foot pedal that you put on the floor and use like a gas pedal for hands-free operation of the scroll saw so you don’t have to use the switch. These are available at Walmart, Amazon and other big box stores. You can pick one of these up for around $15.00 to $30.00.
Analog Clock for Keeping Track of Scrolling Time
You can plug in an analog clock to your momentary foot pedal switch so that it starts and stops with the saw. Set it to 12:00 when you start and this way you can accurately keep track of your cutting time on a project.
Fish Tank/Aquarium Air Pump
The Craftsman 16 inch comes with an onboard dust blower. It works OK but I wanted it to be a little more powerful. I got an inexpensive fish tank/aquarium air pump and spliced it into the existing line and now I have extra puffing power to blow away the dust as I am cutting. I also have it plugged into the foot pedal so that it only runs while the scroll saw is running.
Lift the Back of the Saw Up
“If your saw is on a table, place 2 – 2×4’s under the backside of the saw to tilt the backside of the saw up. This will help you see your work better as you are cutting.” ~Tip from Hazel Inglis~
Use Spray Adhesive to Hold Down Small Pieces for Finishing
To finish small pieces, you can use a light mist of spray adhesive on a piece of cardboard prior to spraying it with the
Save Cardboard Boxes
We get a lot of things that come to the house in cardboard boxes. I save them to use for things like finishing a project. I will break some of them down and cut them to size for my project. I then use it to place the project on the cardboard to apply the finish. After I apply the finish to the project I place it under another box so that dust will not settle on it.
Use Pledge to Spray Table
“If you Spray Your tool table with Pledge, it will not build up on the back of your pattern but makes your table very slippery. I use it on all my tools. Works great.” ~Tip from Asher Hartley~
Round off the Back of the Blade to Make Turing Easier.
Using an old sharpening stone, I round off the back of the blade to make turning the blade much smoother and easier. To do this I put the blade on as usual and then run the saw and apply the stone gently to the back of the blade for a few seconds taking the edge off.
New Blade Not Cutting well?
If you installed a new blade but it doesn’t seem to be cutting well, make sure the blade is installed correctly with the teeth pointing down. This is an easy mistake that I have made this many times.
Sand Bottom of Project Before Scrolling
After drilling the entry holes, make sure to sand the bottom of the project just in case some of the entry holes may have some blowout. This can cause the project to get caught in the blade insert hole while scrolling. This can be a very irritating problem that can be greatly reduced by lightly sanding the bottom of the project before cutting.
Use a Backer Board When Drilling Pilot Holes for Internal Cuts
To prevent tear-out or splintering caused by the drill bit exiting the wood on the bottom of your project, use a scrap piece of wood under the project when drilling the pilot holes.
Save the Pieces From the Internal Cuts
Save all the pieces from the internal cuts of your project until you are finished with cutting. The reason for this is that there may be some fragile areas of your project that will be susceptible to breaking after that area is cut out. If you insert these pieces back into where you cut them from, it will help to stabilize that area so that there is less chance of that area breaking. You can simply insert it back in and apply a small piece of tape until you are finished cutting.
Put a Small Fold on the Pattern Before Spraying with Adhesive.
If you are using spray adhesive to attach your pattern to the wood, putting a small fold on the pattern before spraying will make it much easier to pick up the pattern after it is sprayed. It doesn’t have to be large. I like to do this on the edge or corner if possible
Start in the Center
If your project has internal cuts, start in the center and get all the smaller internal cuts done first then work outward. I almost always save the very last cuts for the exterior of the project.
Use a Washer to Trace out the Backer Board
If you require a backer board for your project, a quick and accurate way to trace the backer board out in the shape of your project is to use a washer. Simply use a washer with the diameter of your choice to guide a pen or pencil around the project.
Mark the Top of the Blades
When you receive your blades, first determine which end is the top and then mark them with bright paint or nail polish. This helps when changing your blades and allows you to quickly and easily see which end is up.
Scuff the Ends of the Blades to Prevent Slipping Out of Blade Holders
New scroll saw blades are usually protected with a thin coat of oil from the manufacturer. This can cause the blades to slip out of the blade holders. A way to prevent this is to dry it off and then scuff the ends of the blades with sandpaper or abrasive material to provide a better grip for the blade holders.
Feeding From the Right Cuts Better Than Feeding From the Left
Most blades are stamped out, therefore if you feed from the right side of the pattern, it will cut better than feeding from the left side.
~Tip from Anonymous~
My wood is jumping on the saw. What am I doing wrong?
1. Make sure the blade is installed in the correct position. The points of the blade should be pointing down.
2. Hold the material tight against the table.
3. Too large of a blade for the material thickness. Thinner material requires a blade with more teeth per inch.
4. The material could be warped.
5. Slow down. You may be pushing the material too aggressively. Let the saw to the work.
6. If your saw has variable speed, try increasing the speed.
Conclusion
I hope this has been helpful and you have enjoyed your visit. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.
If you have any scroll saw tips or tricks that you would like to share, please let us know in the comments below and we will add your idea to this list and include your name and website if you wish.
While you are here, check out some of our other pages for information on
Scroll Saw Patterns
Scroll Saw Blades
Scroll Saw Websites
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Thank You and Keep on Scrolling
If you Spray Your tool table with PLEDGE it will not bulid up on the back of your pattern but makes your table very slippery. I use it on all my tools Works great
Thank you Asher, I added this tip to the page. Thank you for visiting.
Have a great day.
Regards,
Thanks for this site. It is the best tutorial for intarsia beginners that I’ve found. I’m trying Teddy later on today.