Do you cheat??? Tell the truth. LOL

[hawkeye10]

As an example; If a pattern has a circle as on the outside of some trivets. Do you cut that circle with a router or what ever? Of coarse this may not be cheating just good working.

[dgman]

Absolutely!!!! If a pattern has perfect circles, I will drill them with the correct size bit. I do not consider that cheating though. For something like a trivet, I will cut it on the scroll saw. I can cut it faster and will come out smoother than if done by a router.

It's your project, cut it anyway you want!

[Denny Knappen]

That is not cheating, but like Dan, I can cut it faster on the scroll saw.  I do use other tools with the project such as routing the edge and of course many sanders.

[Bill WIlson]

I also use my table saw and radial arm saw, where applicable, to make perfect and consistent straight edges & angles on the outside of projects.  While most of these patterns are designed so that they can be cut with only a scroll saw, that doesn't mean that another tool can't be used for some of the operations, if is more accurate and/or efficient.

[Scrolling Steve]

I am finally to the point that I can scroll a circle cleaner than I can drill it !.....But do not think of it as cheating to drill them in some patterns !

[NC Scroller]

Using the best tool in the shop to get a task done is not cheating.  Work smarter not harder.  Is it cheating to use a drill press vs a old time brace and bit or egg beater type drill? Nope...

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I agree that is not cheating at all. If there is perfect circles I will drill them out. If the pattern is an oval or circle or even square. I will use the tool to make the shape the easiest way. If making multiples I will make a jig and then rough cut and then trim with a router. Not cheating at all. That is why you have a shop full of tools. 

 

I will ask this then. Is it cheating using a machine as a scroll saw when this hobby was invented with the use of a fret saw and done by hand. ???There are still some purists that still do it that way. 

[Sparkey]

Like others if there are small circles in the pattern I will use the right size drill bit. As far as the outside of the pattern being round I cut that with the scroll saw.

[Lucky2]

I cut all circles on a scrollsaw project with the scrollsaw, if the circle requires dressing up, I then use the router. I find it much easier and quicker to use the scrollsaw to cut the circles, than I do the router.

Len 

[WayneMahler]

Small circles get a drill bit. Larger ones I cut one my scroll saw then dress up with a belt sander. For me it is easier to just cut them and regulate the speed and feed on the outer circles. For the inside circle I apply the same principles unless they are smaller them I use a drill bit ( ornaments )  and the like. 

[amazingkevin]

As an example; If a pattern has a circle as on the outside of some trivets. Do you cut that circle with a router or what ever? Of coarse this may not be cheating just good working.

I like to cut corners when i can,Do what you gotta do !!!

[Phantom Scroller]

All the time!

[lawson56]

I use a Drill sometime,OK.I admit it It does make some jobs easier so there But really it does make certain jobs easier.

[Casey Jourdan]

Table sander is the best "cheater" tool I've bought! I use it to help square up cuts and clean up round and oval items all the time.

Edited September 3, 2016 by CaseyJ

[wombatie]

I use my scroll saw.  That's it the end.

 

Marg

[Frank Pellow]

Certainly, I use a drill for circles when that is the easiest way to cut those circles.  I have no idea why anyone would consider that to be cheating.

Edited September 4, 2016 by Frank Pellow

[Scrappile]

I guess I cheat all the time, I use every tool I have for what it was intended for.  I cut my scroll saw blanks to size on the table saw, re-saw wood on the band saw, use my thickness planer when needed to get a piece of wood to thickness for scrolling ...etc.

Edited September 4, 2016 by Scrappile

[rjR]

Anyone not using the tools in the shop; wasted their money buying them!

 

Henry Ford invented the production assembly line to make more reasonably priced vehicles, NOT CHEATING.  Being smart!