One of the most difficult woodworking projects I have ever attempted was learning how to make jigsaw puzzles with a scroll saw. This project involved cutting individual picture shapes out of an intricate wood grained paper pattern. It was very difficult and required much concentration. Here are some things you should keep in mind if you want to do this project successfully.
The first thing you need to do before getting started is to read the directions thoroughly. This will save you countless hours of frustration. You can’t cut through the wood without reading the directions. Reading them is half the battle. Once you understand how to make jigsaw puzzles with a scroll saw, it really is that simple. However, it still pays to read the instructions especially if you haven’t done this type of woodworking project before.
If possible bring along a stool or box to sit on when working on this project. The main reason for that is safety. Although the scroll saw is extremely portable, a lot of people have been injured using this equipment when crossing floor surfaces. A stool can help keep you from tripping over and thereby reduce the chance of injury.
Another good topic for discussing when learning how to make jigsaw puzzles with a scroll saw is construction. A scroll saw is a very versatile piece of heavy equipment and should be kept well maintained. Don’t neglect to clean it between uses as this will help your equipment last longer.
As with all wood cutting tools, regular maintenance is vital to ensure your scroll saw stays in good condition. Give it a thorough once over every six months or so with the appropriate wood cleaner. You should also have the blade serviced to ensure it is in good running order and ready to use when required.
Make sure not to cut any jigs apart from the very small ones as they can damage your scroll saw. Jigs range in size from very small individual pieces all the way up to large sheets of wood. Smaller jigs can be difficult for the saw to handle and could potentially damage the wood. Also, be careful not to cut through any small wood on the outside of a jigsaw puzzle.
Learning how to make jigsaw puzzles with a scroll saw is a great project to undertake as a family. It will also provide some incentive to get your children involved in woodworking and learn how to work with their pieces of wood. With a bit of patience and the right jigsaw puzzle plan, it will soon become a favorite project.
There are many different jigsaw puzzle plans available on the market today. Some sites sell plans that require a lot of detailed information. These may be good for professionals but if you are just starting out as a beginner, they are not the best choice. The best way to learn how to make jigsaw puzzles with a scroll saw is to buy a jigsaw puzzle plan and follow it step by step. This will give you clear step-by-step instructions along with all the materials needed.
As with learning how to make any other woodworking project, you need to prepare the site before you begin. It does not take a professional architect’s expertise to layout the jigsaw puzzle pieces. If you have access to a large sheet of wood, you can simply lay the boards out on the floor in order to determine their placement. The boards should be laid in a straight line, not curved. This will allow the jigsaw puzzle piece to fit snuggly into the jigsaw slot. Remember to keep the length of the board as long as possible.
As you continue to learn how to make jigsaw puzzles with a scroll saw, you will discover that there are two different sizes of jigsaw that you can use. Each has its advantages. For one thing, you can generally cut a variety of shapes with a smaller saw; however, the jig is smaller and it is much less portable. If the jigsaw puzzle piece is larger than the saw, it can pose a safety hazard, so it is best to start with a much larger unit.
Once you have determined the site on which to build your jigs, you will need to plan the size of the jigsaw puzzle pieces. This is probably not the easiest of tasks. You cannot simply make random pieces and hope that they fit correctly. Rather than cutting the jigsaw puzzle out of a magazine or copy, you need to take measurements to ensure that you can fit all the puzzle pieces into the jigsaw slot. However, if you are not sure what your cutters are, you can consult the owner’s manual to determine which size is appropriate for the jigsaw puzzle you are about to cut.
You will know that you have the right size jigsaw when the saw begins to turn when you lift the jigsaw up from the table. It should be fairly straight with no irregular angles. As you can imagine, there are a number of factors to consider when planning how to make jigsaw puzzles with a scroll saw. However, once you have built the jigsaw and have successfully assembled it, you will quickly discover that this is one of the most satisfying woodworking projects you will ever undertake.