first cut

first cut
Originally uploaded by oferchrissake

Got my new scroll saw today. Did a very basic cutting exercise to start with. This took about an hour, more or less.

Obviously, I need practice. Less obviously, I need better saw blades. I started with a new one, and it was dull before I got to the harder cuts (on the right)... which means the harder cuts were now harderer. Meh.

However, I'm really looking forward to getting into the rest of the introductory exercises (I got a book about this, The Scroll Saw Workbook by John Nelson ), and am working through the skills, so I can start making neato things. If you look closely, you'll see a resemblance between what I've cut, and the picture on the front of the book. I drew my guide lines by hand, though, because getting copies made just seems like so much work. And I won't be cutting out any damn bunny rabbits.

Will need to get some better wood, though, this 3 ply stuff is OK, but not great. Probably working harder than I have to and dulling blades faster than necessary because I'm not using plain old pine planks.