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  1. #1
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    Default Having a go at scroll sawing

    Hi guys,

    ALDI have/had a scroll saw for $90. Bunnings therefore dropped the price of the Ryobi to just under $90. As far as I could tell the are the same machine.

    I know a lot of you would have advised me to get a better machine but I'm only really giving it a go because it's $90.

    So I unboxed it, set it up and had a go. I made a video for anyone else interested in these machines. I hope you find it entertaining.

    https://youtu.be/geXfg7xJlOE

    I am going to follow the advise on here about where to source the blades.

    I do have one question. Is it OK to create some things from MDF or should that be avoided?

    Cheers Dave.

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
    My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE

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  3. #2
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    Default

    mdf is a great medium when you need tight cuts and the pattern is large however you MUST be very dust conscious I use MDF from 3mm to whatever for backed projects and I have done some very intricate cuts.I generally use a sacrificial piece
    .. Happy scrolling.

  4. #3
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    Default

    Thank you for the response about MDF.
    My next question is, what are a useful sort/size of blades for a beginner? I want to make some Christmas tree ornaments, so the material will not be too thick.
    I also have an idea about making interlocking pieces of different colour - but I'm not sure how difficult that would be.

  5. #4
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DaveVman View Post
    Thank you for the response about MDF.
    My next question is, what are a useful sort/size of blades for a beginner? I want to make some Christmas tree ornaments, so the material will not be too thick.
    I also have an idea about making interlocking pieces of different colour - but I'm not sure how difficult that would be.
    Dave, Ring or email Helen Harris as she was one of the best sources of that sort of information when I started [and I'm still just a starter, so no constructive advice], cheers, Crowie

    Owen & Helen Harris
    PO Box 1384
    Murray Bridge SA 5253
    08 8531 3440
    [email protected]


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  6. #5
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    yep Helen and her Hubby are a great go to for blade selection,I use pg blades supplied by them usually number three for MDF.

  7. #6
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    Default

    Thanks for the posts guys. Also thanks to those who watched my video.
    I'm changing my mind about MDF. The dust worries me. I might explore some plywood or anything else you guys suggest. being ornaments the wife will want them painted anyway.
    If it is to be solid wood I have the equipment to dimension my own timber but I don't know what is a suitable timber for this sort of work.

    Now to what I imagine is one of the most common questions: The best way to stick a printed pattern to the timber.
    I could use contact adhesive to stick a pattern down. I find this stuff hard to remove. Although to be fair I have probably sprayed on too much in the past.
    I could use the blue tape and CA glue trick, which I really like for the bandsaw but I imagine that this is too uneven for scroll saw work.

    I see in some YouTube videos that this German guy has some easily removed paper. (Daniel Misko - DM Idea) It has some sort of backing. After cutting this peels straight off. It seems to be just tacky enough to attach but not really glued to the work piece. Lots of comments have asked him what it is but he doesn't respond. Possibly his English is not good enough.
    I am searching this forum because I'm sure this has been asked lots of times but thus far I have only found references to the first 2 methods.
    Officeworks has sheets of adhesive paper. Has anyone used this?
    Does anyone have other suggestions?

  8. #7
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    answers to sticking pattern -use 50mm masking tape from Bunnings,if using ply go for marine ply it holds together better, adhesive paper works well [over tape] otherwise you will go nuts removing what is left of pattern ,I find using a sacrificial piece of thin mdf is the best for fine work you don't have to remove the pattern if you apply to sacrificial piece.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by mature one View Post
    answers to sticking pattern -use 50mm masking tape from Bunnings,if using ply go for marine ply it holds together better, adhesive paper works well [over tape] otherwise you will go nuts removing what is left of pattern ,I find using a sacrificial piece of thin mdf is the best for fine work you don't have to remove the pattern if you apply to sacrificial piece.
    Ah! OK so I guess the process is carefully lay down the masking tape so there are no gaps. Then spray adhesive or adhesive paper onto the masking tape. So this way there is no uneven surface?
    I must confess I didn't understand the tip about the sacrificial thin MDF.

  10. #9
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    OK. To the facts!

    MDF is not bad for you. Period. Be sensible and take precautions, you'll be fine. No need for paranoia.

    I run the shop vac underneath the table, pointing at the hole, on the very lowest suction/volume. 95% of the dust is generated on the down stroke (well, depends on the blade of course). I'll be soon making a little box to magnet onto the bottom.

    For the pattern, use this: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00R8AWBJI/

    The contact is placed over your pattern (poster, printout, etc) and one traces onto the plastic side with a Sharpie. Separate the backing and plonk it onto the mdf/ply/wood. It tacks Just Right. No ripped fibres, cursing or removing sticky residues.

    For files, get or make some popsicle sticks. Stick sandpaper of various grits to it (3M Super77 does the trick) and cut off the excess.... or use your spouse nail files (or your own!)

    Helen Harris sells great blades. I buy exclusively from her.

  11. #10
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    For a few years I had a casual job cutting shapes (for souvenirs) out of 3 and 6 mm MDF. Just had a vacuum cleaner to help with dust control but it kept the line clear. Wore dust mask and safety glasses.
    The pattern was traced onto the MDF, normally 4 or 5 sheets nailed together. The bottom shape required the most sanding.

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