Thread: Tray pieces

Originally Posted by Mark61

Hi All,

I am a complete newbie and have recently purchased a cheap entry level scroll saw. I have a great pattern for a tray which obviously has a lot of long straight edges. I did a practice run on some MDF and the straight edges because of the length of the straight cut were let's say "less than straight" . Looking for some advice on how to manage these. Would it be better to say use a jigsaw or some other saw?

Looking forward to hearing from the experts out there!!
cheers, Mark

I'm no expert, and still have trouble with long straight lines. It gets better with practice.
One thing that helps is to put a mark on the front of the table, masking tape or similar, with an arrow indicating the true cut line of the blade. It often isn't in line with the table.
Then get used to pushing your timber in on that angle, rather than straight in from the front.
I hope this makes sense.

The harder you push the timber the more its going to cut at an angle.
make sure your blade it tight, thats going to help.
Also only go as slow as you need to keep straight.

do some more practice, you'll be getting the blade tightness, the feed speed right to follow lines real quick.

Maybe join a local mens shed and see if anyone there can give you some other pointers as well.

Peter

hi welcome practice makes perfect if u live in brighton s.aust there is a good club south oz scrollers which can give u a hand

Originally Posted by Hermit

I'm no expert, and still have trouble with long straight lines. It gets better with practice.
One thing that helps is to put a mark on the front of the table, masking tape or similar, with an arrow indicating the true cut line of the blade. It often isn't in line with the table.
Then get used to pushing your timber in on that angle, rather than straight in from the front.
I hope this makes sense.

Thanks for the great advice I think it will all come down to practice

Originally Posted by _fly_

The harder you push the timber the more its going to cut at an angle.
make sure your blade it tight, thats going to help.
Also only go as slow as you need to keep straight.

do some more practice, you'll be getting the blade tightness, the feed speed right to follow lines real quick.

Maybe join a local mens shed and see if anyone there can give you some other pointers as well.

Peter

Thanks Peter, blade tightness definitely seems to be a problem for me. I will look to join a local mens shed, I really want to get into wood turning and want to have a go before I purchase a lathe and associated tools

Originally Posted by m.t

hi welcome practice makes perfect if u live in brighton s.aust there is a good club south oz scrollers which can give u a hand

Cheers thanks m.t I am in Brighton, Qld. I understand there is a woodworking club in Redcliffe not far from where I live which I have tried to make contact with. I am getting the message about practice.