Ort

That's exactly what happened The wood sandwich idea sounds like a good work-around, thanks. Is all ply hardwood based? I found some ply in the shed and did some more cutting but the dust got so strong I had to put a mask on, which did a very good job of helping steam up my glasses

Hey Doug, Never thought of using a foot pedal on / off action to vary the speed, neat idea, one that could prove useful. I will look out for some Baltic Birch ply and give it a try, thanks. Just purchased some A4 size bits of perspex (plexiglass) 4mm thick to try out, so I have something to keep be busy over the weekend now

The variable speed gizmo looks interesting (thanks WolfmoonCT). Unfortunately, it seems to be a US product (110v) and I'm UK based (240v). I couldn't find anything similar that was UK based when I did an internet search but I will keep looking now I know what to look for. My saw .... I'm a little embarrassed to say it was a really cheap one (under £100). It was what I could afford and it fitted into my price range (as a starter saw) giving me a chance to try my hand at this. With hindsight, there are a number of important points that are not right with it, making it a poor choice for use on intricate work; tensioner is at the back making adjustment difficult (no quick tensioning), only takes pin blades (starting holes have to be 4mm) and its a single speed machine (high speed snaps the wood where lots of cuts / holes are in close proximity). Longterm, I need one that has front or side tension adjustment (easy to reach), has variable speed and can take pin-less blades, this would greatly improve what I can do. Regrettably, being UK based there doesn't seem to be a wide choice when it comes to machines, unlike the US but I am new to this and could be looking in the wrong place. If any UK members have any machines they would care to recommend then I would be grateful. For price and features I'm beginning to like the look of the Fox 16", which has variable speed and can use pin-less blades but it seems to have an availability problem. Thanks amazingkevin for the information on cutting metal ATB Steve

I've been trying my hand at scroll sawing this past week and trying out many different designs and woods. So far the only real success I have had with a completed project is using MDF but I'm not keen on the dust. Most of my efforts either brake through a fault with the wood or snap / disintegrate due to the high fixed speed of my scroll saw. Unfortunately, I also had an issue with my saw snapping its tensioning bolt but a 30 minute diy repair job solved that once and for all. Regrettably, I think if I want to do complex / detailed work I will have to get another saw but that's for later on. For now I what to see what I can do with the one I have, so I am just keeping at it. I have learnt a lot since I started and am really enjoying it, the fact that I'm also getting the hang of it helps. I was wondering, as for materials to try out, anyone cut perspex or metal? I also have a plan to try combining scroll saw work with metal casting and wondered if anyone else combines other crafts with their scroll saw work?

Thanks for all the welcomes. Early experiments with my new saw have been disappointing but constructive. I now have some idea of what I can and can't do with regards to scroll cutting. Unfortunately, it would appear in my haste to acquire a saw I may have not got the right type, as it's nothing like the ones shows in the forum clips. It also uses bigger blades, so there's going to be a limit to the intricacy of the work I will be able to do with it. From the project ideas on the forum the two I really like the idea of is; pictures and clocks. I used to make and sell personalised picture clocks, as a hobby, so hopefully that skill will play a support role in my scroll saw projects. I will most likely concentrate on these designs but I still intend to try out others, as I'm always keen to improve my learning curve

Hi form the south-west of England. Looking for a hobby to get me away from the computer. I found some great scroll saw designs on the internet and decided to buy a scroll saw. I now need to learn how to use it properly Some great patterns on here so I thought I would join and see what I can do. Also hoping to pick a few brains along the way. TTFN