Have you ever started a project and then realized that you’re not skilled enough to complete it to how you would like it to turn out? I was starting a project that I postponed from about 5 months ago and even now I don’t think I’ll be able to finish it and get the results I want. I’m doing a scroll saw project and I don’t want to mess up some nice small exotics so I practiced on cheap stuff and I’m finding that it’s more difficult than I expected and I’m having doubts I can complete it to the standards I want.
Now, the scroll saw I have was given to me for free. It was covered in mud and missing some pieces. I cleaned it up but it’s still no beauty queen. I have to use a pair of pliers to turn it on as the knob is broken. The light and air hose are broken and gone. The blade clamps are slightly rusted. So, needless to say I’m not working with a top notch tool. Also, I have no training on a scroll saw or how to adjust it or anything. I don’t even know what blade I should be using.
Well, sorry for the rant but the question buried 2 paragraphs down here is, have any of you ever done a project where you weren’t skilled enough to do? And how did it turn out if you did complete it?
I ALWAYS tackle WOODWORKING projects that I have insufficient skill to complete. You’ll make it happen. You’ll learn even more along the way. There are a lot of accomplished scrollers here that can help you with your equipment questions. I’m of no use to you there. I’m just here to say go for it.
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
Thanks guys, I started on this last night and did get a pretty good start but I need to scroll saw some small letters and I think it’ll take quite a bit of practicing before I cut into the good wood. I have I think 3 different kinds of blades so hopefully one of them will work for the small letters.
Well, I’m going to be using either Maple & Paduak, or Walnut & Paduak and they’ll be 1/4” thick each. The POS Saw I have is a Ryobi SC180VS I believe. It takes both pinned and plain end blades (according to the specs and manual). Right now I just have plain end blades. Any suggestions for blades from any of the scrollers out there?
practice makes perfect. my first scrollsaw project wasn’t even close to pretty but i have gotten quite good at it although i don’t consider myself an expert my any means. but confident i am.
the internet is a wealth of information on both setup and use.
you’ll do fine. don’t let it scare you. it’s only wood!
-- >> my shop teacher used to say "do the best at everything you make for your mom because you're going to see it for the rest of your life!" <<
I ask lots of questions, get as much information as I can, give it my best shot, and try to ignore the people who tell me I shouldn’t try or are sarcastic about my questions. My first bandsaw box was a near-complete failure. Looking forward to making my second!
started making a bedframe for a king sized bed this past winter. After some painful slogging away at it, and some expensive wood wasted, I realized that I just didn’t have the skill set, or patience yet to complete it. Was a blow to my ego, but I survived.
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