What do you consider the ONE most important thing in using a scrollsaw?

[dgman]

Yes I would agree it is all equally important. Plus the three P's. Patients, Practice, Persistance. 

I'm with Russ on this! The three P's!

[northie66]

For me it is "pushing the wood"... I'm still not sure that I do that right.  I've never had an experienced scroll sawer see me work.  I think I might push too hard.  But maybe it's because I wasn't waxing or putting Pam on the table.  I'm learning a lot here.  Thanks everyone!   

[cherie]

Janet, does it really seem to you that your pushing the wood?  Maybe the machine is too slow or your blade needs to be changed.  Maybe, and I have found this true with me, is your blade aligned with your table?  I had to adjust my set screws slightly (considering I haven't for about three years now) here recently.  Waxing your table should also help.  I am not pushing anymore.  The wood just glides along, well except when I get off the line.  LOL.

[patch]

Hey Patch, where did you get the plans for that cut??

A book named scroll saw for dummy's good one  Crusty59 I like a good laugh   

[Vince]

     Boy I could write a book "How to scroll saw by a dummy". I think my body takes naps while I scroll. LOL
Vince

[boxmaker]

I believe my hardest thing to get right was tension. Steves audio on the sound when plucked helped me. I am still to critical of what I do, But I have also learned, once you peel the pattern off, no one knows if you cut outside the lines but you.

[Judy Hunter]

All of the mechanics of it are important of course but the most important to me is whether the piece is perfect or not it is the serenity and peace and quite. It takes me "away" better than calgon.

[scrollgirl]

OK, I am going to say something that I didn't see mentioned here yet . . . I think have a clean, organized work area is the most important thing when doing any kind of woodworking - especially scrollsawing which takes lots of concentration.  (OK, I hear the moans and groans from some of you!)  I hear these people brag sometimes that 'a clean shop means it isn't productive! Blah, blah, blah . . . ' I give that a BIG Wrong! I have seen shops that make shivers literally go down my spine.  I'm not talking a little dust, guys and girls - I'm talking MESS and CLUTTER.  I don't know about you, but when I am cutting something out, I don't want to have to worry about what the vibration is knocking off from the table next to me or moving a cord so it is on the other side of the saw and not blocking the light.  Once your shop is organized, it takes only a few minutes to put stuff back where it goes and do a quick sweep or vac when you are done.  I like coming in the next time with my tools clean and where they are supposed to be.  I can't concentrate on cutting if I am frustrated from searching for the right tool or blade or tripping over stuff.  It all starts in your head, folks.  Clear minds are better able to concentrate on the task at hand and HAVE FUN! So be clean, stay safe and have a ball!

Sheila

[Judy Hunter]

Scroll Girl.... Huzzah!!! My house can be a mess but my shop has to be clean before I cut.
I have a nasty habit of sunflower seeds when I cut. I have to clean after every days cutting.

[dgman]

You know Sheila, I thought I liked you, till now! Just kidding. My shop would give you shivers! Every time I make time to clean it some thing more important comes up.

[scrollgirl]

Awww . . . .! I just want to see everyone safe! 

Sheila

[ripchief]

KNOWLEDGE...It's the one word that I could think of that encompasses everything...The more you continue to learn, the more you can tweak your technique,providing improvements to the process which leads to an increase in the quality of the final product; which is the ultimate objective.

I think it's just as important to know what DOESN'T work, as it is to know what does work.

I also find that it helps to know that there are times that you should put off cutting until a better time (don't cut when you're already frustrated about something else; don't cut when you're rushed for time; don't cut when you already know that your on-hand supplies won't support the desired results)...Also, I find that I won't cut after cocktails; not only for the obvious potential hazards, but when (I said when, not if) the cuts don't come out right, it gives just one more excuse why it happened.