scroll saw pattern help

2785 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by ejant, May 16, 2005

reds_21

Discussion Starter · May 15, 2005

i am making a mobile out of 1/4" oak and there is a piece that needs cut out of the center and i have no clue how to do this. the area that needs cut out is very small. i can't exactly use a scroll saw to cut it out cause the surrounding area cannot be cut and i can't use my jig saw because the turn that needs cut is to sharp. i don't have to much room to move or even much room for error. any help on this one????

shawn

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reible

· #2 · May 15, 2005 (Edited)

This is a common thing to do in wood working and has several solutions depending on how large or small the area is and how detailed the design is. In most cases it starts by drilling a hole in the inside waste area. The hole will have to be large enough to get a coping saw/fret saw/jig saw/scroll saw blade in. For this discussion let's say the opening can have a 1/8" hole drilled in it. You then take the blade off the coping saw and put in throught he hole then attach it to the frame and do your cuts. Keep in mind you do not have to follow the outline.... Made as many cuts as you need to various key points in the design and then take away small areas as needed with other cuts. When the cutting is finished take the blade back off and out. Now depending on how big the opening sand paper of files (riffs) can be used to smooth the cut lines.

In some cases you can use a drill to remove a lot of the material before starting with the sawing.... that makes it go faster.

Got the idea?

Ed

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reds_21

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 16, 2005

reible...........so what is the best hand saw that i could use???? now the area is a lot smaller than what your showing and i don't really wanna use a scoll saw due to the fact that if i end up going to fast or the saw cuts to much, i have to start all over with a new piece. so i figured the less chance i have of screwing the piece up the better. im very new at the scroll saw thing so i am not very fimiliar my other options of cutting inner patterns out.

further assistance????

thanks
shawn

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ejant

· #4 · May 16, 2005

Shawn use a coping saw or a fret saw, these are hand saws and you can make very fine tight cornered cuts with them.

You put the blade through the hole and atach the saw to the blade.

In the "what is it" forum Ed has a picture of a fret saw.

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reible

· #5 · May 16, 2005 (Edited)

If the cut outs you want to do are small and you are willing to work slowly then I would say get a fret saw, they should be under $20 on-line...... Not sure where to tell you to look but Garretwade, hartvilletool, other places should have them. A coping saw is about 1/2 the cost and might be all you need. Most hardware stores carry them and if you do much wood working you will want one anyway. ( have at least 3)

I think you might want to practice on some scrap wood to get the feel of this type of hand saw. You will also want to make a little helper for yourself..... sorry can't think of what they are called but the picture show the general idea. (the wood with the "V" notch) It helps supports the wood while you are cutting.... the saw blade cuts on the "pull" stroke if the blade is in correct so you hold the saw handle below the work and pull down to make the cut.

Try some scraps of your wood... the grain of the wood and the type of the wood will dictate a "web" thickness that will not brake out... playing with the wood and design is always a good idea before you go to far. On the shade pulls I made I used walnut and had the problem of my insides crumbling.... not what you want to have happen after spending an hour or so making the pieces.

Also some people like to print the design on paper then tack (glue) it to the part. Test this also as another time trying to sand to paper off ended up with me wrecking some of my work....

Image one shows a fret saw blade #? and a coping blade that can cut down to about a 1/16" radius. Image two show a "fret" saw and a coping saw and the third image is the v-block I mentioned.

Ed

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