What Direction Do You Scroll???

[jimmyG]

It probably doesn't make any difference but I'm a counter clockwise scroller.
I just don't feel comfortable scrolling clockwise and my accuracy suffers for it.

What direction do you scroll?

[dgman]

I guess you have to be specific on what is clockwise or counterclockwise. I can scroll in either direction, but generally I cut so the waste is on the right. Many years ago I was cutting a pattern that had a long winding cut. Halfway through this cut I got confused because the pattern did not have any gray or white shading to tell which was the waste area and which was the pattern. That’s when I decided to pick a cutting direction to prevent the confusion. I also took into account of the burr on the right side of most blades. I knew that the burr made a slightly rougher cut than the left side of the blade. So, that’s why I cut with the waste on the right. But again, I can easily cut in either direction.

[jimmyG]

30 minutes ago, dgman said:

I guess you have to be specific on what is clockwise or counterclockwise. I can scroll in either direction, but generally I cut so the waste is on the right. Many years ago I was cutting a pattern that had a long winding cut. Halfway through this cut I got confused because the pattern did not have any gray or white shading to tell which was the waste area and which was the pattern. That’s when I decided to pick a cutting direction to prevent the confusion. I also took into account of the burr on the right side of most blades. I knew that the burr made a slightly rougher cut than the left side of the blade. So, that’s why I cut with the waste on the right. But again, I can easily cut in either direction.

Waste on the left for me.  It just feels more comfortable...

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I cut with the teeth point into the good of the pattern. To me I feel the better less jagged edge of the cut is on the teeth side. I too can cut either way but mainly with waste to the left 

[Wichman]

Unless I am trying to cut very intricate detail, I will cut in either direction just to keep my skills sharp. For the intricate details then the waste is on the left, the burr on the right side of the blade helps cutting in the tight turns: I just can't cut the pine needles any other way.

 

[kmmcrafts]

Honestly depends on what I'm cutting... but for the most part if I was cutting out a circle shape ornament I'm going counterclockwise.. is my go to way.. however some scenarios doing that would make the project too fragile and may break to cut my normal way.

I think also depends on what blade you're using.. Years ago when using mostly FD blades they have a bur ( so to speak ) on one side of the blade and they also cut slightly off to one side.. These blades do cut differently from one direction to the next.. But now most blades I use cut straight on so I've never noticed the difference in what direction I cut.. Just habit to cut in a certain direction.. and you get used to that direction and the thought process of where to drill pilot holes etc. too..

[OCtoolguy]

I cut clockwise generally unless I'm doing cut that requires counterclockwise like inlay.

[preprius]

Ok I usually don't care.  Some cheesy blades just did not turn in a certain direction. So adapting was necessary.

But to be more understanding. If I am cutting ovals at a 9 deg angle , my table is angled left side down. My wood spins counter clockwise. So the blade points and cuts clockwise. 

My ovals do not have waist side.

My table does go both ways so I do have a choice. When I cut a maple leaf at 45 deg I had the table tilted right. And waist side was on left. The wood turned clockwise. 

I like the center of rotation on the down side of the blade. Spinning boards above the blade is harder do to interference with arm.   

If your saw has tilt blade/arm then controlling the wood on the opposite side of the arm will give more access.

Ok so when you say clockwise what do you mean? 

Edited November 20, 2023 by preprius

[jimmyG]

5 hours ago, preprius said:

Ok I usually don't care.  Some cheesy blades just did not turn in a certain direction. So adapting was necessary.

But to be more understanding. If I am cutting ovals at a 9 deg angle , my table is angled left side down. My wood spins counter clockwise. So the blade points and cuts clockwise. 

My ovals do not have waist side.

My table does go both ways so I do have a choice. When I cut a maple leaf at 45 deg I had the table tilted right. And waist side was on left. The wood turned clockwise. 

I like the center of rotation on the down side of the blade. Spinning boards above the blade is harder do to interference with arm.   

If your saw has tilt blade/arm then controlling the wood on the opposite side of the arm will give more access.

Ok so when you say clockwise what do you mean? 

Turning the wood counter clockwise 

[kmmcrafts]

4 hours ago, jimmyG said:

Turning the wood counter clockwise 

Well in that case.. I turn the wood clockwise but the saw blade is cutting the lines in a counterclockwise direction.. Maybe this video of me cutting will help, LOL..

 

[kmmcrafts]

I had to look and see an old video.. I'm pretty sure I never used a Pegas blade in the Dewalt saw I had... so this would have been in the day when I used FD-UR blades.. I still was cutting the same direction back then.. This was stack cutting 1/8" BBply ornaments.. 

 

[FrankEV]

I most frequently use spiral blades but with any kind of blade, I generally cut with Waste to the Right.  Thus, interior cutouts are cutting Counterclockwise.  An exterior perimeter type cut is still waste to the Right but the cut direction becomes clockwise.

I also use very fine red lines in the patterns I cut that I consider to be the edge of the Image.  Therefore, I cut along the side of the line as opposed to trying to split a thick line.  I find I can follow the line much more accurately that way.  It is also very helpfull when cutting areas with a long thin areas of board between cutouts.  If the line remains just visible after the cut is completed I know the thin section is what the pattern calls for.   This approach is good for attempting to cut intricate Paper-Cuttig Patterns.

If I lose concentration and the blade wonders it is usually to the waste side which is easy to back up and correct.  Also when I'm using spiral blades they allow me to easily shave the cutout up to the line if the blade track was not spot on all the way around.

I'm a self tought scroller with out having the benefit of a teacher to tell me what the "correct" way to do things was.  This way of cutting feels natural and works for me.  That said, it certainly is not the only "correct" way.

[Jim McDonald]

Never really thought about. I seem to cut in the direction the pattern and its placement on the wood directs me. 

I TRY to do any long straight cuts first, but that really doesn't mean anything either. 

[preprius]

Thanks all.

I was wondering about this for 4 years now.  

Someone asked it when I just started.  Of course I was confused. Now I am not.   

It turns out it does not matter unless I am cutting at an angle.

Edited November 20, 2023 by preprius

[Scrappile]

For me the only time I pay much attention to it and the only time it is important to me is when I try to do inlay pieces.

Edited November 23, 2023 by Scrappile

[crupiea]

Counter clockwise. I start my project from the bottom right and just work my way around. 

[Sycamore67]

I scroll up and down.  The wood goes were it wants to go.

In the end does, it make a any difference??

[jimmyG]

23 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said:

I scroll up and down.  The wood goes were it wants to go.

In the end does, it make a any difference??

It makes a difference to me...  just like racing, counter clockwise 

[Norm Fengstad]

I cut clockwise, counter clockwise makes no difference or dooes it. If you guys are just playing with my mind -n well enjoy

[preprius]

2 hours ago, Sycamore67 said:

I scroll up and down.

Yep this is the best answer.  The blade can't go counter or clockwise.

[Sycamore67]

"just like racing"  ???

With my scrollsaw, I am not racing or in a hurry at all.  I understand that if you do it for a business, then time is important.  I am interested in being accurate and trying different things.  I like Intarsia and I am aiming to cut slightly on one side or the other to get good fits and no gaps.  Accuracy is more important for me than speed.

I am ambidextrous in scrolling...... CW OR CCW.

[jimmyG]

1 hour ago, Sycamore67 said:

"just like racing"  ???

With my scrollsaw, I am not racing or in a hurry at all.  I understand that if you do it for a business, then time is important.  I am interested in being accurate and trying different things.  I like Intarsia and I am aiming to cut slightly on one side or the other to get good fits and no gaps.  Accuracy is more important for me than speed.

I am ambidextrous in scrolling...... CW OR CCW.

Yes racing as in car or horse racing, turning left counter clockwise.

[BadBob]

I look at the pattern and decide which direction to go based on what I think is the best way. Truthfully, I never thought about it.