I thought Scrolling is stress free.........but

[Joe Duncan]

Rookie here for sure. What does one do when you are working on the last cut of a project that you spent (for me) took 6 solid hours to and you mess (kind word) up.

 

Me: ended up talking to my self more often, did I mention said a few of THOSE words. 

[meflick]

Well, one of the reasons as a newbie I have tried to stay away from those types of patterns - hours worth of work, what looks like hundreds of holes to drill and cut.    I am sure a few choice words of conversation would be had by me as well should that happen. 

 

Perhaps we should set a side a jar where we have to put $$ in it each time we mention some of THOSE words (better then washing our mouth out with soap.)  Then when we get enough $$ collected - we can buy a new tool to add to the shop.  Course, with that motivation, we might find ourselves using more and more of THOSE words.      Might not be the best thing to do. 

[GrampaJim]

So you made some "designer firewood?"   We have all been there. 

[Fab4]

Rookie here for sure. What does one do when you are working on the last cut of a project that you spent (for me) took 6 solid hours to and you mess (kind word) up.

 

Me: ended up talking to my self more often, did I mention said a few of THOSE words. 

Hi Joe:

You borrow Dan's book "Cuss words for Scrollin" and move on

As stated below, we have all been there

It's called a learning curve - It's not fun

but this is how you learn.....quick.....

Is there no way of fixing it - even if you have to alter the cut a bit

you will be the only one that knows

Any pics for us to see, maybe someone can save it 

Fab4

Edited November 7, 2016 by Fab4

[jerry1939]

Over the years, I have learned:

 

1. If it's a delicate piece, put a sacrifice board above and below your "good piece." Cheap insurance for the amount of time spent on a project.

2. Cut the most delicate/intricate parts sooner. If you are going to mess up, do it first.

3. Often start delicate pieces toward the center and maintain the wood strength that is on the perimeter.

 

jerry

[MTCowpoke22]

Can't speak for anyone else, but I tend to wander around in a dark room mumbling to myself until my wife comes and talks me out of doing something stupid (She's a school councilor, so well prepared for this). Then I pout a little, maybe throw a screaming fit on the floor. When I've gotten over that, I go back to the saw and try to figure out if it can be salvaged or if it's going to be a camp fire night. If I have to resort to the camp fire, my afore mentioned wife brings out the s'more fixings. She's the best.

[RangerJay]

Can't recall ever making an actual mistake  .....

 

..... however .....

 

..... I do make find myself making creative pattern adjustments on a fairly regular and always impromptu basis ....

 

..... and CA glue really helps solidify the creative process .....

 

 

Jay

[Scrolling Steve]

Joe, Like the others , I have mellowed with time.....A lot of good advice has been offered above....You will learn to roll with the punches !

[hotshot]

When I go to the saw, I'm thinking 1. I'm going to make something cool.  2.  I'm going to practice to keep my skills up and get better.  If I mess up, then the value in time spent was the practice, so all it not lost.  Mess ups to make you more aware/careful the next time.  Like everything, you learn by your mistakes.  

 

There is a certain thrill in having spent some time into something, and then sawing with "something to lose."  I suspect gambling wouldn't' be near a fun without the money.  Nothing risked, nothing gained.

 

------Randy

[ChelCass]

When I am working on an intricate pattern......................portraits are the worse for me.  I scroll for so long then walk away.  I may go back to it that same day or wait a couple of days.  I have only broken one cutting so far in the 6 or 7 years I have been scrolling and that was because I rushed to finish.  We have all done it....................it's called experience.   Pictures would be lovely.

[Sparkey]

It depends how bad you mess up. I have made more than my share of mistakes. A lot of times most people can't even tell where the mistake is but it sticks out like a sore thumb to me.

[lost_in_endicott]

I'm pretty inexperienced, too. I've got a nice box full of screw ups ready for the fire pit. 

[MrsN]

designer firewood makes the best smores!

Many times I will save the offending piece for a few days away from where I can look at it. Then I go back later and see if I can salvage it.  Lots of time a bit of CA glue or smoothing out an edge and no one else would know the difference. most of these end up being impromptu gifts for random people. 

[Joe Duncan]

well thanks for all the support. I am assuming CA glue means Translucent glue.

 

​I just googled CA glue, is not a Translucent glue. Sounds like some pretty wicked stuff. On the other hand I had to glue some pieces together that already had been varnish. Thinking I could regular wood glue would work, but as reading threw the forum it won't stay glued. So now I guess I will try some of this CA glue. What I also read that when the cap glued on to the bottle it pretty much history for the glue.

 

Any thoughts.

Edited November 8, 2016 by jwd5516

[amazingkevin]

Rookie here for sure. What does one do when you are working on the last cut of a project that you spent (for me) took 6 solid hours to and you mess (kind word) up.

 

Me: ended up talking to my self more often, did I mention said a few of THOSE words. 

Most mistakes arn't noticed by any one especially you after you wait a day and try and find it.Most mistakes can be fixed.Mistakes that can be fixed and stand out like a sore thumb(grains don't match,different wood used) can be painted and nobody knows nothing.Your worrys are over ,it can be fixed.CA glue drys immediately

[LarryEA]

I have a few pieces aging on the side of my garage....

[WayneMahler]

I have been scrolling for quite a while. Tonight I did the "WTH" one a piece. I was 95% done and it broke. All precautions were in place and enforced.. Sometimes crap happens.  No matter how long or much experience things happen. You have to smile and try again. Nobody outgrows the learning curve!

[wombatie]

Yes we have all been there and we probably will be again.  One word of advice all cut the hardest parts first that way if anything goes wrong you haven't wasted a heap of time on it.  In the mean time walk away get it out of your system and then start again. 

 

Marg

[Phantom Scroller]

Over here CA glue is super glue watch your fingers. haa haa. Roly

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

It does not only happen when scrolling but turning is another one of those heartbreaking hobbies. Happen to me twice today. Turning the roof of a birdhouse ornament and was using some nice grained burl woods and wanted just that last couple MM off and shaped and snap in 3 pieces. Burl woods are not the strongest of woods to begin with and I should know this stuff but you always think you are better than that and it can not happen to you and then you are eating hummble pie. Shake it off and and chalk it up to a learning experience. Now if you find yourself learning the same mistakes over and over then we need to talk.

[Bill WIlson]

It's all part of the price of admission into just about any hobby/activity.  Imagine traipsing around in the woods all day and finally getting a clean shot at that trophy buck, only to miss.  Imagine having a great round of golf ruined by one terrible hole.  I think it's part of human nature to seek challenges that compel us to keep at something, to strive to do better work and learn from our mistakes, because, in the end we believe it's worth the effort.  We've all been there.  Sometimes the challenge is to find creative ways to repair or mask the mistake.  Sometimes the lesson is in learning how to avoid making the mistake next time.  A few choice words are OK, but one always has to remember that this is a hobby.  You take the frustrations and failures along with the satisfaction and successes, no matter how long you've been at it or how good you are.  Relax and enjoy the journey.

[jblock9907]

I'm with Jay. There are times when cutting a pattern you notice a "mistake" in the pattern so you just make adjustments. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, you are the only one that knows.

[MrsN]

well thanks for all the support. I am assuming CA glue means Translucent glue.

 

​I just googled CA glue, is not a Translucent glue. Sounds like some pretty wicked stuff. On the other hand I had to glue some pieces together that already had been varnish. Thinking I could regular wood glue would work, but as reading threw the forum it won't stay glued. So now I guess I will try some of this CA glue. What I also read that when the cap glued on to the bottle it pretty much history for the glue.

 

It is true that  regular wood glue won't stick well to varnished wood. However, not every project needs super strength. If the project is a decorative hanging thing, there will not be much stress on the broken bits, wood glue can still work.

There are several forms of clear translucent glues. aleene's tacky glue is one of the more common brands. again, it isn't always the strongest bond but we don't always need the strength.

 

CA is commonly called super glue. You can buy the little tubes of super glue, or bigger bottles of CA glue. the little tubes are single use for most things that are glued. The biggest advantage of CA glue is that it dries fast. hold the pieces for a few seconds and the bond is set. You would have to clamp/hold/balance the pieces for 30 minutes to get a semi set bond with wood glue or aleenes tacky glue.

[RangerJay]

There are a few different kinds of CA (Super Glue).  Personally I've found a gap-filling CA glue (which is a little thicker) a bit easier to work with.  My applicator most often is the flat end of a recycled scroll saw blade.  On much larger pieces that might need glue you can supplement with alternate application of  wood glue (ordinary yellow carpenters glue is fine)  and dabs of CA blue - the result is a permanent bond that is less brittle.

 

There are a couple cautions - CA glue bonds your skin pretty much instantly, it also very quickly bonds to many materials that you might use as your work surface (i.e. work bench).   Personally I usually try to hold the pieces off any work surface while it sets (without touching the glue) - or - if a work surface is needed - then I use the metal surface of my table saw and break any bond with it quickly once the glued pieces have initially set.  To get comfortable using it some practice is a good idea - may save your skin - will certainly save some frustration and may also save the project.

 

 

Jay