Hello from England

[durnick]

Hello everyone. I am Doug from England. I started fret working in 1949 with a "Hobbies" hand saw. Sadly with work and life in general had to give up the hobby until a year ago when I found this wonderful web site. I bought a New Concepts scroll saw and have made quite a few pieces and refound the enjoyment of a lifetime ago. I have watched every video Steve has posted and visit this site every day. Also I have just purchased an Excalibur EX16, which I think is absolutely fabulous but I am having great difficulty in following curved lines and circles. I am using Flying Dutchman blades (shipped to England from Mikes Workshop)  and find that they follow a true straight line. If any one can give me any advice on cutting curves and circles I would be much appreciative. Perhaps I am using stock that is too thin. I have been practicing with 1/8th MDF.
Any way thanks for letting me join your happy family and I look forward to many more enjoyable reads and videos by Steve.
Best Regards.
Doug (durnick)

[julief]

Hi Doug and welcome to the forum.  I'm Julie from Texas.  Glad to have you.  It is difficult to cut 1/8" stock on its own.  You might try stack cutting it.  I generally have my saw speed fast and try to feed the stock slowly.  It may be your tension isn't quite tight enough.  There could be many factors why you are having difficulty with the curves.  The long and the short of it, is it takes some practice.

[newfie]

welcome to the forum Doug I'm Todd from NL Canada

[Russ C]

Hi Doug, I'm Russ from Florida your local moderator. Welcome to the Scrollsaw Forum, glad you found us. 

[durnick]

Hello to Russ, Todd and Julie. Nice to make your acquaintance. Thanks for the tip Julie. I tried thicker stock and revved up the engine a little and I seemed to be getting a little closer to the curves. There is a long way to go yet though. Perhaps in a couple of years I might be able to post a photograph of a completed work of art. Thanks for having me. Regards. Doug.

[Rover2]

Welcome Doug.  I'm Al from Tennessee USA.

[durnick]

Thank you Al. Its a pleasure to be part of the scrolling family. Regards. Doug

[wombatie]

Welcome to the site Doug.  I'm Marg from Australia.. its as Julie said,  it a caxe of just practicing.

Marg

[julief]

Doug,  Try taking a piece of scrap and drawing some lines on it.  Straight lines, wavy lines, zig-zag lines.  Try cutting it again and again with different blades and different speeds.  You will find a sweet spot that works for you.  I still do this when I try blade I haven't used before or have been away from the saw for some time.  It helps me get the feel of what I am about to do.

[durnick]

Thanks again Julie and Marg. Never thought of trying different blades and speeds. Will start experimenting. Thanks a lot. Regards. Doug.