best thickness to learn/practice with?

[Candi_D]

My saw is coming today, what thickness would you recommend for those first practice cuts? 1/4, 1/2, 3/4?

Thanks!

[newfie]

i can't speak for anyone else but i think 1/4" would be good to practice with. Dan (dgman) teaches scrolling i do believe he will certainly start you of in the right direction 

[BilltheDiver]

Hate to be ambiguous, but it all depends on what you are trying to make and what blades you are using.  There is a relationship between the blade size and type and the wood thickness and density.  If you just want to practice, maybe some simple 3/4 inch pine with a larger blade like a #7, or go to some 1/4 inch plywood, slow the blade speed and use a #3 blade.  You will find what works best for you.

[dgman]

Hey Candi, I am a scroll saw instructor at Woodcraft in Ventura Ca. I start my students off with 3/4" pine, and a #5 skip tooth blade. Start with a block of pine about 5" x 8". Using a pencil, Draw some straight and curved lines, and practice staying on the line. The first thing your are going to find out is you can't cut a straight line! The reason is there is a bur on the right side of the blade which makes the blade cut to the right. Your first challenge will be to learn how to angle the wood to cut a straight line. Once you master that, go on with curved lines. Then draw some straight lines with sharp corners. After that, draw some simple shapes and go for those.
good luck!

[Candi_D]

Thank you gentlemen! I'll be starting with whatever blades the Dewalt comes from but I would suspect my FD blades should be here tomorrow or Monday I'll let you know how it goes!

[countryscroller]

I started out using 1/4" BB, it is soft and easy to cut. I don't suggest cutting any hard woods until you get used to scrolling. For a 3/4" piece I would cut pine or popular because it is softer than cutting like a walnut or any other hardwood.

[ChuckD]

Thank you gentlemen! I'll be starting with whatever blades the Dewalt comes from but I would suspect my FD blades should be here tomorrow or Monday I'll let you know how it goes!

Practice with the cheap blades until you get good (or disgusted) then use the FD blades.  You will like them even better.  Good Luck