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First Fret work with reverse blades

5K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  OutoftheWoodwork 
#1 ·
Hi, well finally got some birch plywood and tried my hand at this fret work of a mare and foal. I used #1 flat reverse blade and #1 spiral reverse. The flat blade cut more clean, but the spiral reverse was easier for me to use.

I will have to clean it up a little, but this picture is before any clean up.

I have 2 others I'm going to scroll. Not today, because my eyes are giving out on me. Getting blurry which means my old eyes are strained.

Thanks for viewing and have a good day.

Karen
 

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#16 ·
Hey Doug, I had the same problem with spirals. Seemed they wouldn't behave and do as they were told. hard to get a straight cut, etc. I was against them for a long time, till I found out more about them.

Then I was bound and determined to use a spiral. Part of the reason was because with spirals there's less "twirling" the work around to get in & out of the little nooks n' crannies you have to do with straight blades. If you start with a thicker cut of wood, and slow down the machine, that's one way to get used to using them. Also, try using the spiral to do the outside cuts, rather than intricate inside cuts. I also had to change the way I cut. I always had the pattern in the "upright" position, making my vertical pattern cuts going from top to bottom, or even upside down. Then I decided to take the pattern and go side-to-side with my cuts... (if that makes sense). If I cut my parallel cuts going horizontal (left to right or even right to left) I got a much better, straighter cut. (Don't ask why, just know I'm Polish (and blonde)... that should explain everything :lol: ) Once you learn the blades, it gets easier. Don't give up on them, though, because they really are better in some instances. I still use my straight blades; the crown tooth being my favorite, because it cuts going up as well as down, meaning less touch ups, and much much cleaner cuts.
 
#6 ·
Looks good, Karen. Portraits are fun. If you haven't already, do a search on how to make patterns from a photo, and then do one using a photo of a loved one.

As for the blades, I am amazed that people can use spiral blades for anything. I have been scrolling for years, and I still can't use those things.

Jim
 
#7 ·
Karen that is some very-nice-looking work! I cannot imagine how many times you must have had to reattach your blades for the myriad of openings! I read the responses above and at first I had no idea of what my friend Doug (kp91) was talking about...
print patterns in a Colorado other than black
because you're in PA, but I am going to guess that his spell-checker turned the word "color" into Colorado.
Keep up the good work! Someone will be blessed to have some of your work in their home!

Otis Guillebeau from Auburn, Georgia
 
#8 ·
Karen that is some very-nice-looking work! I cannot imagine how many times you must have had to reattach your blades for the myriad of openings!
I don't mean to detract from the work involved in Karen's project, but when you talk about how many blade changes are made, try and count how many I had to do in this one. If you figure it out, let me know. 'Cause I didn't even try.







 
#9 · (Edited)
Jim,

Thank you very much for sharing this amazing unbelievable work!

I can't imagine, nor will I want to count the number of times you you did a blade change. I would NEVER attempt anything like that, it would make me crazier than I already am.:wacko:

WOW!

Karen
 
#10 ·
A big THANK YOU to all the nice people who took the time to make such wonderful comments and giving me very helpful tips and advise. I will use everything suggested here.

Karen
 
#11 ·
Karen, you're very welcome!
Jimbo, I cannot imagine the number of blade connections and disconnections you made in order to produce that piece! We lost my Dad last year, but in his prime; he would make things like this carved in leather. He would start with a sketch on the leather and work on it for weeks in his evenings after work.

Otis
 
#15 ·
Jorge,

This type of work is usually done on 1/8 or 1/4" high quality plywood. The cuts are done on a scroll saw using fine tooth blades. A reverse tooth blade has a few teeth at the bottom end of the blade that cut on the up stroke as well as the down stroke, which reduces the amount of chipping/splintering on the bottom side of the work. A zero clearance insert in the saw table also reduces this chipping/splintering. After the piece is completely cut out and cleaned up, a contrasting layer of either fabric or wood is laminated to the back side of the work to provide the color contrast. Rarely is a pigmented paint applied to the cut work itself. although a clear finish is frequently applied to it. The sandwiched project of cut piece and backing is then inserted into some kind of picture frame to complete it.

I once cut out a dragon on 3/8" white oak with all of his scales and profile lines were cut using my Delta Q3 scroll saw and 2-0 reverse tooth blades. The cutting time for this dragon was about 30 hours. It was very challenging to get the accurate cuts that were required, but it was very rewarding when I completed it and it looked so good. What is time anyway? As hobbyists we are in this for the journey and the experiences, aren't we? So its best not to do it in a mad rush to a quick completion like we are forced to do so much else in or lives. It's much more enjoyable when we take the time, no matter how much, to make our project as right as we can and enjoy the journey to it's completion. The longer it takes, the bigger the reward is when it's finished. Each project turns out better than the last one and this is what keeps us enjoying the hobby and art of woodworking.

Charley
 
#17 ·
Jorge,

What is time anyway? As hobbyists we are in this for the journey and the experiences, aren't we? Each project turns out better than the last one and this is what keeps us enjoying the hobby and art of woodworking.

Charley
So true, so true, Charley.

As for blades, the crown tooth cuts both on the up and down, so there's even less cleaning up after your done, as well as less "chipping." Once I found those, I use them whenever I can. I have a lot of scroll patterns I still have in the laptop stored that I hope to get to one of these days...
 
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