Hardwood Traits North American Hardwoods For Your Scroll Saw Projects

Choosing the best wood for your latest scroll saw project can be a daunting task. Hardness, strength, color and availability are some of the things you need to consider. Depending on the type of project you are doing, these factors can greatly affect the outcome. But with all the different species of wood available, choosing the right one can be confusing. Below is a listing of the most commonly available North American hardwoods available to scroll sawyers and also some of their most predominant characteristics.

Ash - Ash grain is very pronounced which looks great in some places, but not so much when used on intricate scroll saw fretwork or portrait patterns. - Generally the heartwood is brown in color while the sapwood is light brown. - While being lighter in weight, ash is relatively close to birch, maple and oak on the hardness scale although it does tend to be more difficult to cut. - Ash is ring porous, which means you have to use a pore filler if you are looking for a glass-like finish. - Grain looks similar to that of oak and, with the right color stain, ash can be made to resemble oak.

Basswood - Very soft and light (about equal to pine in hardness), basswood is often used for carving. - The grain is fine and even, again lending well to carving but it can also be used for less delicate scroll work - most notably segmentations where shaping is required. - Basswood heartwood is pale brown with dark streaks while the sapwood is creamy-white.

Birch, Yellow - Being quite hard, strong and even-grained, yellow birch is very good for cutting delicate fretwork and small pieces with little difficulty. - One of the cheapest hardwoods available. - The biggest downsides are that the grain isnt very pronounced and it often doesnt take well to stain - Birch veneered 1/8" plywood, being cheap and strong with tight grain, is widely used in scroll saw portraits (Although usually Finnish or Baltic birch ply is used for these). - Yellow birch heartwood is reddish-brown while the sapwood is white.

Cherry - Cherry heartwood is brown and the sapwood is light yellow. However, these colors darken over time and when exposed to sunlight, they then take on a reddish-brown hue with the heartwood remaining darker than sapwood. - Although softer than all but basswood and poplar, cherry has fairly straight grain and is quite strong. - Being easy to cut and finish while also being strong and having a very beautiful natural color makes cherry a great choice for most any scroll saw patterns. - If not properly dried, cherry is more prone to warp than most species.

Hickory - As well as being strong, hickory is significantly harder than the other woods listed here, making it difficult to cut and sand. - When drying, it is prone to warp and end crack, especially when air drying. Sealing the ends is recommended when drying and finishing. - Heartwood is brown or reddish-brown with sapwood being near white. - If you are willing to put up with the drying and cutting difficulties, what you are left with is a beautiful variation in color and grain pattern that look great on the right project.

Holly - Holly is very easy to work with. It has even grain and is quite strong. - Softer than most it is quite close to cherry in hardness. - Being quite uncommon and also difficult to dry without warping makes holly the most expensive wood listed here. - Almost pure white in color with barely visible grain make holly THE choice for white when doing intarsia as well as inlay.

Maple - Maple behaves in many ways like yellow birch. It is just as hard and strong and cuts the same in general although there are many species of maple and some are softer. - Relatively inexpensive, starting around the same price as yellow birch. However, figured wood such as birdseye, quilted or curly maple is more expensive. - Like birch, maple can get blotchy when stained although with figured maple this can be a pleasant effect. - Heartwood is medium brown and the sapwood is white with a slight pink-red hue. - Maple has a wide variety of grain patterns, colors and features in one type of wood. This combined with being strong, relatively inexpensive and beautiful when properly finished make maple a favorite choice for many woodworking projects, scroll saw or otherwise.

Oak, Red - Heartwood is tan with a slight pink hue and sapwood in near white - In relation to scroll saw work, red oak behaves much like white oak. The grain, however, is coarser making it even more prone to chip and crack along the edges. - Red oak lacks the cellular quality that makes white oak water resistant and can actually turn black when wet due to a reaction with tannic acid found throughout.

Oak, White - Heartwood is light brown with sapwood being paler - White oak has a less porous grain than red oak and is somewhat rot resistant and is well suited for outdoor use. - On the hardness scale it is close to maple and birch however it is harder to cut especially on the scroll saw due to the blade wanting to follow the grain - Because of its heavy grain, oak will chip and cracks easily on its edges making it ill-suited for delicate or complicated fretwork and requiring care when routing, etc.

Poplar - Poplar is soft, being not much harder than most pine. Its even grained and relatively lightweight. - Heartwood can vary from tan to yellow, blue, green or even purple while the sapwood is near white. - Poplar is too fragile for more delicate scroll work although the colors and grain patterns can be useful in intarsia.

Walnut, Black - Heartwood is chocolate with a creamy white sapwood. When air dried the heartwood can take on a slight purple hue. - On the hardness scale walnut is softer than maple, birch and ash and slightly harder than cherry. - Walnut is relatively easy to work with, finished easily and is quite strong. - When used for overlay or trim in contrast with lighter woods, walnut can be most useful as it is the only dark North American hardwood.

Although there are many types of wood available to scroll sawyers for their projects, choosing the type that best suits your pattern and personal taste doesnt have to be difficult. Knowing the basic characteristics of the most common wood available to scroll sawyers will help you decide which one will offer your best results.

Read More..

Scroll Saw Selection Choosing the Right Saw for Your Needs

Obviously enough, one of the first things many people want to know when getting started with scrolling as a hobby is what saw to buy. Whether you are looking to purchase your first scroll saw, or you are looking to upgrade to a better one, there are many things to consider. In this article I will attempt to touch on all aspects so that you are able to make an informed decision. I will also make some recommendations based on personal experience and what I feel is the general consensus of the scroll sawyers I have discussed the matter with.
Important ConsiderationsBlade Changing and Blade Holders: The saw should accept standard 5" pinless blades. A lot of scrollwork simply cannot be done with a saw that requires pinned blades. While pinned blades have some advantages, they have one very big disadvantage: You cant cut any small inside detail cuts since you have to drill a very big hole to get the blades pin through.
Also, how easy is it to change a blade? Is a tool required for this? Some scroll saw projects have hundreds of holes. This means you have to remove one end of the blade from the holder and thread it through the wood and re-mount it in the holder more times than you can count. Be sure the process is comfortable and relatively easy to do. A saw in which the arm can be raised and which holds itself in this position is most desirable as it makes this process much easier as do tool-less blade holders.
Variable speed: A great many saws offer variable speed and you should not have a problem finding this feature in any price range. Sometimes you will want to slow the blade down just to cut slower, other times you must slow it down to prevent the blade from burning the edges of the wood as you cut. Some scroll saws require belt changing to change speeds. Personally, I would highly recommend a saw an electronic speed control.
Vibration: Vibration is very distracting when cutting and must be kept to a bare minimum. Some saws inherently vibrate more by design. This feature tends to be very much dependent on the cost of the particular saw. Vibration can be reduced by mounting the saw to a stand. A sturdily mounted saw and heavier saw/stand combination will reduce vibration. Many companies offer stands purpose built for their saws.
Size Specifications: Manufacturers often list the maximum cutting thickness of their saws. Since this is always more than 2", you can ignore this as you likely will never want to cut anything thicker than that on a scroll saw.
The depth of the throat however is something you may want to consider if you think you will be cutting very large projects. A small throat will limit how big of a piece you can swing around on the table while you cut. For many this is not a very big deal since it is somewhat difficult and unpleasant to swing around a big piece of wood on a scroll saw. This limit can also be circumvented by the use of spiral blades which dont require the work to be rotated at all.
Table size should also be considered since it is very difficult to work on a project when the majority of your wood is hanging off the side of the scroll saws table.
Overall Layout: The overall layout of the controls and adjustments of the saw is very important to consider. The power switch, tension lever and speed control ideally should all be located at the end of the saws arm within easy reach. Since with most scroll work you need to stop and feed the blade through a hole dozens or even hundreds of times, the tension lever and power switch are much more convenient if they are close to the upper blade holders. (Most but not all people undo the blade from the upper blade holder to feed the blade through a hole. Some people however, do find it easier to undo the bottom holder instead.). Also, you may occasionally want to adjust the speed control or tighten the tension while in the middle of a cut so it is good to have these controls within easy reach.
Some people find it easier to use a foot pedal switch rather than the power switch on the saw. Just be sure if do you buy one of these that it is just a simple on/off switch and not a variable speed pedal such as those used on a sewing machine as this can damage some motors.
Price: Of course nearly all of us are limited as to how much we are willing or able to spend on a scroll saw. Buying a good used saw may allow you to get more for your money than buying a new cheap saw. When buying used, however, you are taking a bigger risk and have many additional factors to consider. Is the saw still being manufactured? Will you still be able to buy parts if needed? How much has this saw been used? Is the sellers asking price appropriate? I would generally not recommend buying used unless the saw is in very good condition and the asking price is significantly cheaper than buying the same saw new.
One thing to consider when deciding on the price is that scroll saws are generally a "get what you pay for" kind of tool. Scrolling should be an enjoyable pastime; if you have to fight with a saw that is hard to use or performs poorly, you will not be having fun.
Other considerations: Some other things to look at are the manufacturers support and service. Will you be able to get the saw serviced locally? How long is the warranty? What is the manufacturers reputation in general? Does the saw have any extras or special features that you think may be useful?
Some saws come with lamps, magnifiers, stands and most come with dust blowers. All of these features add value to the saw and the dust blower most would consider to be a necessity.
Most, if not all scroll saws come with a hold-down to hold your work down to the table. It is worth mentioning that the vast majority of people, myself included, remove these holders because they feel they are just in the way. As long as you keep downward pressure on your work at all times this is a relatively safe practice. If you do remove the hold-down however, please be aware that you do so at your own risk.
Saws worthy of notable mention
It is my opinion that in order to get a saw that you will be happy with in the long term, you are going to have to be willing to spend at least in the neighborhood of $500. I really think that if you cant afford to spend this much you should seriously think about saving for awhile until you can afford it. That being said, I will mention one saw in the sub $500 range that has recently received some praise.
Porter Cable CB370SS I have not used this saw personally and I cannot speak for its durability however it does look good on paper. All the controls on this saw are conveniently located and it comes with a light and stand. At a retail price of $180, if you absolutely cant spend more, this saw may be a good choice for you.
Dewalt DW788 This is the saw I use personally and I wouldnt hesitate to recommend it to anybody. My particular saw is over 12 years old. It has seen countless hours of use and is still going strong. In that time, the only parts that ever had to be replaced were the blade holders.
In recent times, Dewalt has switched to having its tools built in Asia and quality has suffered slightly. Of course with this transition, the price of this model has come down significantly as well. Dewalt offers a light and stand for this saw but they are usually sold separately. This is a widely used saw and if you have any difficulties, there are plenty of people who are able to offer advice.
This saw doesnt hold its upper arm in the upright position when changing or feeding blades however there is a widely used "easy lift" system which works great and currently is sold for $19.95. You can find this lift at http://www.jimdandy.com If you dont mind shopping online, Grizzly Tools has a great price on the saw/stand/light combo which may be cheaper than you can find the comparable Delta scroll saw package. Grizzly is a reputable dealer with very good customer relations and I dont hesitate to recommend them.
Delta 40-690 This is Deltas latest scroll saw. This saw is functionally an exact replica of the DW-788 and comes with a light and stand. If you need the light and stand, this whole package can sometimes be found for cheaper than purchasing the three separately from Dewalt. The Delta name has recently been sold by Black and Decker so be aware that this may bring about changes.
Excalibur EX-16, EX-21, EX-30 The Excalibur series of scroll saws have always been praised by their users. The EX-16 can be had for just a few dollars more than the Dewalt/Delta saws and the EX-21 and EX-30 are approximately $200 and $350 more than the 16" model respectively. Stands and a lamp with magnifier are available for the Excalibur line of saws. The stand can be purchased separately or as a package deal with the saw.
A most notable difference between the Excalibur and other saws is that the head of the saw tilts rather than the table. This is a nice advantage if you intend to do a lot of angled cutting. The one feature that I personally am leery about is that you only have a quick release for the tension at the front of the saws upper arm and the fine adjustment is at the back of the arm. This is a relatively recent change to the saw however I have not seen any negative feedback about this setup. Theoretically, once you have set the fine adjustment, you dont have to adjust it very often and you just need the quick release when undoing/redoing the blade to feed it through your project.
These saws are manufactured by General International, which has a reputation for quality.
Other notable mentions RBI and Eclipse both offer high end saws with great performance and low vibration. You may want to check these saws out if you can afford them. Since they are out of most peoples price range, I have not heard a whole lot of feedback on them. In my opinion, many of these models do however have inconveniently located controls and/or require tools for blade changes which do give me cause for concern.
Hegner offers four different models starting at about $700 and going all the way to $2400. The lowest end model "Multimax 14-E" is only single speed which I would definitely stay away from. In my opinion there are several better choices for a comparable or cheaper price. The $2400 industrial "Polymax" model requires belt changing to change the speed which is an inconvenience. Because of this issue and the high price tag, I would only consider this model for a truly industrial purpose. This leaves us with the Mutimax 18-V and 22-V models to consider.
All Hegner saws require tools for blade changes. This fact, in addition to what I would personally consider an inconvenient control layout would make me think twice about a Hegner. That being said, most people who own Hegners are very happy with the quality and usability of their saws. Since I have not personally used one, I will leave this matter for your further consideration if you can afford a saw in this price range.
Conclusion
I hope this article has provided you with enough information to allow you to make the best possible investment of your money so that you can start with or upgrade to a scroll saw that will provide you years of scrolling pleasure.

Read More..

Wood Working scroll saw woodworking Wonderful Rewarding Eas

Wood Working: scroll saw woodworking - Wonderful, Rewarding, Eas...: "When it comes to wood crafting the choices are many. When one thinks of scroll sawing there are several areas to think about. Fretwork an..."

Read More..

Scroll saw patterns are a smart way to make sure you get the right cut next time you saw. If you follow the lines of the pattern, then you can concentrate on sawing itself and you do not have to focus on cutting the lines correctly. When you work with wood, you can make your own scroll saw pattern or use someone elses, but the result will be the same - crisp, clean results.
Do you need a scroll saw pattern? Well, it depends on what you want to make. Most ornate designs require scroll saw patterns. For instance, if you want to make chairs with matching cut-outs on the back, or if you want to make matching jewelry boxes, it pays off to follow a pattern. Otherwise you are bound to make irregular objects. If you are trying to get creative, and just improvise a design, you might not need a pattern, but this is ill-advised. Saws are dangerous and the less you have to think about as you work, the more safe your fingers and arms will be. A scroll saw is definitely recommended if you want your creations to match.
There is a wide variety of woodworking objects you can make with a scroll saw pattern. You can carve initials to hang on the wall in a childs room. Or you could make small play blocks for a baby. You could make items for the kitchen like paper towel holders or apron hooks. You could even make ornate kitchen cabinet doors. You can make original signs to hang outside your home, welcoming guests. You could make elaborate bird houses. Whatever you want to make, a pattern probably already exists. You just have to find it.
Because there are so many scroll saw enthusiasts, there are plenty of places to share information and patterns. Many fans have started blogs and message boards online where you can get free scrollsaw plans. You can always visit your local home supply store and ask an employee for information. Often these mega-stores offer free demonstrations of the latest equipment, like a Hegner scrollsaw, as well as patterns. You could spend a Saturday morning learning a new technique and then try it out that same afternoon. It is very helpful to have an expert to answer your questions about what kind of blades to use and more. You want your work to look as professional as possible, so who better to help you than a professional.
When you follow a scroll saw pattern, be sure to cut directly over the pencil marks so they will not show up on your finished product. This is not as big of a deal if you are painting the wood afterwards, but following the pencil line exactly ensures an even cut everywhere you saw. Be extremely careful when you trace your pattern or template in pencil. Make sure it is perfect before you cut. It should look exactly the way you want it to look in pencil before you start woodworking. Using a scroll saw patterns and wood saws will save you costly time in mistakes in the long run because you will know what you are doing and will be able to cut quickly, albeit meticulously.

Read More..

scroll saw woodworking Wonderful Rewarding Woodworking Hobby

When it comes to wood crafting the choices are many. When one thinks of scroll sawing there are several areas to think about. Fretwork and Inlay are 2 that come to mind when thinking about 2 dimensional scroll sawing work. I consider Intarsia to be more 3 dimensional but all 3 of these use the scroll saw as the power tool of choice. Other woodworking choices are carving, wood turning, wood burning, and Whittling, just to name a few.
Scroll sawing is a wonderful, rewarding and easy woodworking hobby to get started with. Scroll sawing is good for your mental health its a confidence builder and ideal for an entry level into woodworking. It brings you a true and immediate sense of accomplishment. It¹s ideal for all ages and both sexes.
Social attitudes are changing and there is an increase in the numbers of women entering into the area of wood working. Employees at the home improvement and hardware stores often refused to take women seriously. These stores are frequently considered masculine space where womens presence is often discouraged. However tools dont know whether you are a man or a woman. The only thing a tool responds to is the skill of the operator and women can often do more intricate work than a man.
When compared to all other power driven devices that cut wood, the scroll saw is unquestionably the safest, most user-friendly and easiest to master. It requires no mechanical skills and it allows for safely cutting small pieces of wood to quickly make a variety of projects. The intricate pieces you can create with a scroll saw range from inlay work to marquetry to fine fretwork. You can create jewelry, ornaments, toys and artistic woodworking pieces, and once you start scroll sawing, you will quickly gain experience and want to try all the various aspects like Intarsia, segmentation, relief-cutting and 3-D scrolling.
Not all wood workers become proficient in all of the choices. One may enjoy creating Intarsia projects while another may prefer wood turning. However, experience in one area doesnt prevent learning another. On the contrary, its likely you will try several, depending on your interest.
You can gather a wealth of information from the expert authors in magazines. There are many magazines available that cater to scroll work. One such magazine is "Creative Woodworks and Crafts". You can order it on-line or you can probably pick it up at your local newsstand. Check your local library too for wood crafting magazines and books.
Scroll sawing is a very rewarding hobby and one that can give many hours of leisure time satisfaction. What a great hobby to have for your retirement free time and to build as a business for an additional income stream. Be sure to consider hobbies when you are planning for your retirement and the extra free time you will have.
Filling up your free time after you retire is more important than many thing. Doing nothing can very quickly make you bored, restless, stressed, unhappy and may soon lead you into things that will only cause more of the same.
Woodworking Plans: More Wood Working Plans

Read More..