A Beginner Scroll Saw Exercise

A Beginner Scroll Saw Exercise

Introduction from Scrolling 101: Everything the Beginner Needs to Know

Before you start tackling complex gear clocks and 500-fret portraits on your own, it’s important to know the basics—how to prepare your saw, choose the appropriate blade, apply the pattern to the blank, and sand your work properly once it’s cut. The Scrolling 101 Booklet contains all the information a beginning scroller needs to get started. We’ve even included instructions for adapting line drawings into scrolling patterns and tips on giving an inexpensive saw a glow-up. Inside you will find a skill-building exercise to practice waves, swirls, straight lines, and corners before you reach the project stage.

Last but certainly not least, check out the skill-building exercise below from John A. Nelson’s Scroll Saw Workbook as an added project to the Scrolling 101 Booklet; it’s a great way to practice how to cut out a simple object, following lines to produce a smooth, continuous, flowing cut.

Materials Needed

• (1) 3/4″ x 4 1/2″–5 1/2″ long piece of wood
• #5 skip-tooth blade
• Cat pattern (download below)

Scroll Saw Project Instructions

Step 1: Make a copy of the pattern above and attach it to a knot-free piece of pine or similar wood.

Step 2: Review the four “Getting Started” steps on page 24.

Step 3: Stand or sit directly in front of the saw. Relax and take a deep breath.

Step 4: Using only your fingertips and a light touch, cut in as indicated. Make a smooth, continuous, flowing cut all the way around without stopping.

Note: If you wander off the cutting line outside of the pattern, stop and back up to where you wandered off. Continue cutting out your pattern (see figure 1). If you wander off the cutting line inside of the pattern, keep cutting slowly and smoothly back to the pattern line (see figure 2). Remember, after you remove the pattern from the wood, no one will know you were off the line.
Step 5: When you have the project all cut out, check the edges. You should have a continuous, smooth surface all around. If not, make another copy of the pattern and repeat Steps 1 through 4 with a new piece of wood until it is perfect.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!