A scroll saw is one of the most commonly used saws by carpenters and crafters. With the help of a scroll saw, you can get maximum results no matter which material you are using it on. But to get the best results you should know how to use scroll saw.
You need to follow some essential steps, which will help you to use it effortlessly. The first step is to take proper preparation before using the saw on a material. In this article, we have elaborated on how to use a scroll saw properly to achieve clean and smooth cuts.
How to Use Scroll Saw: Preparation
Before using a tool, you need to make some preparations. You need to add and adjust the features to cut the workpiece. The preparations you need to take are elaborated below:
Select the Blade
You can cut softwoods like pine or hardwoods like cherry or oak with a scroll saw. The blade you will use should be chosen according to the material you will cut.
Choose a 1/8 sized blade when you need to cut thin materials, and for cutting thick material, you need a sturdy and fat blade around ¾ or thicker than it. So chose the perfect blade to use with the scroll saw.
Place the Blade
After selecting the blade, you need to place it into the saw. Insert it first at the bottom slot and then at the top and slide it. Then tighten it by rotating the blade tensioning knob.
If the blade is locked in place, then it will make a guitar sound when you tap it. If it doesn’t, then you need to adjust it properly by making it tight with the help of the tensioning knob.
Use the Right Blade
All blades are not the same. There are different types of blades available for cutting different materials. If you see your cuts are not smooth and imperfect, then you need to change the blade. There is no use in sharpening the blades, use the right one.
Blade Alignment to the Table
The worktable of the scroll saw should be evenly placed. It should not be sloppy. If it is sloppy, then the cutting of the shape will not be straight. There is a way to check whether the blade and the table are properly aligned or not.
Take a small piece of wood and mark across it. After setting the blade, take the wood and place it in front of the saw’s blade. If the blade is parallel to the marking, then it is correct.
Use An LED light
To properly cut the workpiece according to the desired shape, you need to first see the markings very clearly. For that, you need to use an LED light or a table lamp while cutting the material. You can also use a magnifier glass to see better and cut accurately.
Practice Before Use
Take a rough wood and try cutting it with the scroll saw. You need to cut it at least for 15-20 minutes. After cutting the rough wood, check the blade and its tension, and also the cutting accuracy and quality.
If everything is alright, then you can cut the material you want to. If not, then you need to fix the problems. Keep on practicing until you get satisfactory results.
I hope the above steps have enhanced your knowledge of using the scroll saw in the correct way. Below, we are sharing some useful techniques that you can follow to make your cutting experience easier and convenient.
Techniques for Using a Scroll Saw
To cut efficiently with a scroll saw, you have to follow some techniques. These techniques will not only save your time but will also make your job effortless.
Keep On Running the Blade: When you finish cutting the workpiece according to the sketch or design or when you are at the finishing point, do not stop the blade. Run it back towards the starting pointto end it smoothly.
Holding the Workpiece: While cutting, do not hold the workpiece too firmly or too softly. As holding it softly will result in getting jagged cuts, while holding it too firmly will ruin the design. You need to grip it with medium force.
Speed: Cutting thin materials is not as easy as it seems to be. As thin materials should be cut carefully, most people cut them at a low speed to prevent any accidental cuts. But this process takes a lot of time, so it is better to cut them at high speed slowly.
Design Cut: When making a curved design, make sure to hold the design with one hand and smoothly rotate it with the other hand.
Safety Precautions while Using Scroll Saw
We need to be quite careful when using a cutting machine. So there are some safety tips you need to follow while using a scroll saw.
Ear Protector: It is best to wear an ear protector or headphone while using a scroll saw. As the saw makes a loud noise, it can affect the ears. When you wear an ear protector, the sound level becomes lower.
Safety Glasses: Always wear safety glasses while cutting the materials with a scroll saw. The tiny pieces or dust may go into your eyes, which can damage them or can create an accident. It is also recommended to wear a mask to prevent the inhalation of the fine wood dust.
Hand Gloves: Try to wear a pair of hand gloves while performing the cutting job. Sometimes the fingers can be closer to the running blade while cutting material. So to prevent any cuts, you should wear hand gloves.
Final Words
A scroll saw is an excellent and useful cutting tool. If you are a beginner, then you need to practice carefully following the above steps and techniques. It will take time but you will get to learn how to use it smoothly. I hope this article on how to use scroll saw will help both the old and new users of scroll saw.