Nothing super important, just wondering.

[FrankEV]

When you start a project, let's assume a fairly complicated piece with both many small detail areas and some larger areas, how do you approach your cutting sequence?

• Top to bottom or visa versa?
• Left to right or visa versa?
• Small detaild areas first then the larger areas or visa versa?
• Maybe from the middle out toward the edges?
• Do you think about flimsy areas and cut them first  working toward the stronger wood areas?
• Do you try to cut one hole then the next closest or do you jump arround?

I'm sure many use combinations for various reasons.  I was just wondering because I always have a hard time determing where the most appropriate place to start is.   

Edited September 1, 2020 by FrankEV

[Fedido]

That is a loaded question! you will get 1.5 million answers. What I do is divide the pattern up to 1/3rd or sections depending on what it is. An example is my avatar. I cut the beak area first, then the top, then middle and finally the bottom. within in section, I looked for small areas that are in spots that potentially would break. An example is if I have a cut that leaves a large area free on three sides and requires a cut inside that, I cut the inside cut first, then the larger area. I also try cutting the bigger cuts last for wood strength. That is me though. Once you find what you like to do, you will use that method. That is one thing I love about scrolling, doesnt matter how you arrived to the finished product, just as long as you arrive and are satisfied of your work. 

[Roberta Moreton]

I USUALLY try to go from center out. I will start an area and just continue in that area until that section is cut and move on. I always tape the large fallouts back in. 

[Foxfold]

I usually go from the centre out, but any 'big' bits' I tape back in to give some stability.  But, as has been said, each will have their own way of cutting'

I like to get the 'tiny bits' done first if that's possible..

[dvdneal]

I look for weak spots first.  If it break at least it broke early instead of after doing a bunch of cuts.  If it doesn't have a weak spot I'll go from the center out.

[new2woodwrk]

I also try to do weak spots first if/when I can identify them.

Happened to me recently with a ship scene I was cutting. I had a horrible time doing the tiny port holes and ended up throwing out 4 pieces of 1/8"  bb!

While that hurt, it didn't cost me hours and hours of work on top of the loss which would have p'd me off even more LOL

 

[dgman]

I start with the smallest, most delicate cuts first. This way, if I Screw these up, I haven’t wasted a lot of time. 

[John B]

I try and start with the most fragile cuts and cuts that are inside another piece that  so that they have as much support as possible. Then I just thread a hole and cut, doing the next closest and so on. The exception is if I decide to use two blades, such as a spiral and a flat. I will then jump around trying to do the cuts required with that one blade so as to save changing back and forth.

[dvdneal]

I haven't gotten to the point of switching blades.  Either the projects I'm doing aren't complicated enough, or I'm just not at the level of craftsmanship to hit those fine details.

[Bill WIlson]

On 9/2/2020 at 4:42 AM, John B said:

I try and start with the most fragile cuts and cuts that are inside another piece that  so that they have as much support as possible. Then I just thread a hole and cut, doing the next closest and so on. The exception is if I decide to use two blades, such as a spiral and a flat. I will then jump around trying to do the cuts required with that one blade so as to save changing back and forth.

THat's pretty much the same process as I use.  If I'm installing a new blade, I might pick some long cuts, someplace out of the way, to do first.  This takes the edge off of the blade, just a little and gives me more control for cutting those delicate areas.

[Clayton717]

On a detailed pattern, I try to start in the center and work my way out. Doing the very fine areas first