6 Beginner Scroll Saw Mistakes I Made And You Should Avoid

Here are 6 beginner scroll saw mistakes I made, and you should avoid! The learning curve was tough for me, but I'm so gad I didn't give up. Hopefully, if you're just starting out, this helps you avoid the same mistakes! Happy scrolling!
⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️
Don't Drive on Your Corners: 0:16
Don't Choose Bad Blades: 0:49
Don't Forget to Check Your Tension!: 1:49
Don't Choose the Wrong Materials: 2:33
Don't Forget an Air Compressor and A Mask: 3:15
Don't Give Up!: 3:47
TOOLS USED:
Pegas Scroll Saw: www.bearwood.c...
Blades: www.bearwood.c...
Mask: geni.us/shopmask
SOCIAL:
👍 - FACEBOOK: / wendellwoodworks
📸 - Instagram: / wendellwoodworks
ETSY:
www.etsy.com/shop/wendellwoodworksco
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@ellonysman]

WEAR A MASK!❤ DUST IS NOT MEANT TO GO IN YOUR LUNGS...ONLY AIR. oh and quit smoking at the same time😮

[@davidguinta4550]

This is all very true, I also thought maybe this is not for me at times but the challenge keeps bringing me back!! Thanks for your useful info.

[@WendellWoodworks]

Thanks for watching, David! :)

[@AnthonyFrancisJones]

Excellent - thank for this. I am just about to start on my scroll saw journey!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Awesome! Good luck! Thanks for watching.

[@mariagabrielafernandez36]

Oh my god !!! I think exactly that right now. I’m trying ti get used to my scroll saw. I was so excited to have it with me and now that I do I find it hard to work with. I’m making mistakes with the blades and many other things. But it’s a challenge!!!! I’ll be the best scroller in Dominican Republic. I promise!!!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Aw haha. It’s a learning curve! You’ll do great :-). Thanks for watching!

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Use Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse blades and learn to master spiral blades. They are great for intricate curvy pieces

[@fairdinkumozzy]

Great tips The best way to get perfect tension on the blade is tune it to the key of C it’s the perfect tension on all blades

[@WendellWoodworks]

Oo good to know! Wish I had perfect pitch! 🙂

[@mrbrown6421]

@@WendellWoodworks One year later...put a guitar tuner on your smart phone. However, there are 6 or 7 'C' notes on the keyboard. WHICH C is very important...

[@johnduffy6546]

MDF??? I've gotta try this! ...protect those lungs! Emphysema is not fun! (trust me) Eye & hearing protection are good too!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Yes! I’ve got a video coming out tomorrow on how to paint it. I definitely wear a mask! Thanks for watching :)

[@DarleneHill-d6v]

I need help with the Tension, please. I am a very new beginner and have a WEN 16" saw. I try to set the tension but it won't hold the tension and the adjustment knob starts turning counter clockwise even if I am not actually cutting anything.....just letting the saw turned on and not cutting. Can you help?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi! I'm sorry I have never used the WEN! There are some great forums on facebook where people ask questions like this often! I've seen some great replies but can't remember enough to tell you myself. You may need a replacement screw? I hope you're able to figure it out!

[@DeenHussain-zz3gs]

Hi Wendell after my bad experience with my last budget scroll saw the one thats online at the moment which for some reason looks all the same with the tension at the rear & bad blade change but for colour & brand just didn't want to buy another crap so as my interest for scroll saw was still on my mind i opted for the old Delta Shopmaster Scroll Saw 40-570 the same as the SS350 with the quick 2 blade clamp top & bottom & honestly its night & day compared to the bargain scroll saw with the cast iron base & tension at the front was very happy with the scroll saw but have been having problems with the top blade clamp which for some reason will clip back releasing the blade when working away plus once you clip the clamp back for the blade release will take a few goes to clip it back without keep on clipping back. Pls what ever information you can give me regarding the above matter would be much appreciated has its a wonderful old Delta scroll saw which would be great for another 20yrs if this problem is sorted or modified... Many Thanks...

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi there! Sorry, I don’t have any experience with this! Wish I could help. Maybe check out a scroll saw Facebook group. It’s a great way to find people with your specific saw that may know!

[@mr.redneck2715]

Hello, I just bought my grandson a rbi 220 scroll saw. The problem is he has trouble changing the blades, any ideas?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi! Unfortunately I’ve never used that kind to give you guidance! There are great scroll saw communities on Facebook that are always willing to answer questions like this :). Best of luck!

[@cadystanton6180]

i need help! i’m working with a dewalt 788 scroll saw, and my tension rod keeps failing. after tightening it once i turn on the blade it automatically falls out of place and the tension falls down to 0. im trying to avoid totally taking it apart as it is school equipment, but i am alone with it all weekend and it’s due on monday🤯

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi, Cady! Hmmm I’m sure what the problem is there. There are scroll saw groups on Facebook where people ask questions like this often and get good responses. I’d try there and show a picture/video. Sorry I’m no help. Hope it works out for you!

[@malmal5158]

just a bit about heath ii did a lot of grp moulding and lost my right lung so please weer a mask

[@WendellWoodworks]

So sorry to hear that. Always do!

[@JanineMKartist]

My new ryobi is still in the box. Scared to start. Hope I can do it .

[@WendellWoodworks]

congrats!! It takes some time to learn but hopefully you have fun in the process :). Best of luck!

[@afterisforever]

Thanks for the video. Sorry for the basic question but what does size your blade down mean, is that more or less teeth per inch?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Generally, a lower number blade (like a #3 versus and #5) will have a higher teeth count. But more than TPI, lower numbered blades are also thinner and better for cutting thinner wood. Hope that helps!

[@afterisforever]

@@WendellWoodworks Much appreciated - thank you.

[@hanztiogangco8031]

I just bought a second hand porter cable! I did some test runs yesterday, printed out your rose last night and will try it today! Wish me luck! Btw I love all of your videos. I’ll continue to watch and learn. Thank you so much!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Awesome! Thanks for watching! Good luck! Hope you have fun with it :)

[@JanineMKartist]

Why no foot thing to help hold wood in place ? Does it get in the way?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi! It’s just a personal preference. The vibration is so low on my Pegas it’s not needed and I prefer not to use it :).

[@davesup5059]

Need a magnifier/light. Was wondering what an ideal mag would be. 5x or less or more than 5x?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi! I don’t use one myself so can’t recommend, but I know BearWoods Supply sells them and they always have great quality. I have a code there for 5% off too: www.bearwood.com/lights-and-magnification-equipment.html?aff=WENDELL

[@WendellWoodworks]

The promo code is WENDELLWOODWORKS :)

[@eladalua2469]

Thanks for the tips I'll start today 🎉❤

[@WendellWoodworks]

Best of luck! Thanks for watching!

[@wendellfishing]

Nice Video!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Thank you! 🙂

[@hughtempleton8640]

Great video thank you for sharing your fantastic talent ❤

[@colleenconrade3156]

😂 just pulled mine out after over a year from buying…. Tried it once or twice and hated it …. The wood jumping all over and chasing the saw as it vibrates backwards and it’s soooo loud!!!! Tried it again and still I hate this saw… and I use big woodworking tools all day long. I guess I will just have to experiment more with blades and materials and wear ear muffs. Thank you

[@WendellWoodworks]

Try bolting your saw down! It definitely shouldn’t jump that much. Sorry! It can take awhile to get used to :). Kudos for being willing to go back to it! :)

[@someguyfromky]

Ive got the same porter cable scroll saw. Your story sounds like mine. Im still not very efficient with it. I recently discovered spiral blades. Love them. I keep breaking blades. Not sure if its tension or me pushing to hard and causing it to heat up and break. Love your content.

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi, Mike! Thanks for watching! Yea, I broke a lot more blades on my PC. I think it’s because it loses tension often. Definitely trickier to navigate. Hope you’re still able to make all the cool things you want to :). Best of luck!

[@danburchett8654]

Great tips for sure, I just found your channel and I'm happy to see you are helping out. I have been scrolling for just over 10 years, and I do very small frit cutting. My go to for wood is Baltic burch. Form 1/8 inch up to 1 inch. It's a great wood to use.

[@WendellWoodworks]

Birch is great! Thanks for the watch! :)

[@Bilal-f5f7w]

Thanks for sharing good helpful video ,I'm just starting the hobby

[@WendellWoodworks]

Thanks for watching! Best of luck!

[@geraldatrio9213]

Your videos are very interesting and practical. Could you do something with what software you use for design? Greetings from Uruguay. Thanks.

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi, Gerald! Thanks for watching! I think I’ve touched on it on some earlier videos, but will definitely try to dive deeper in the future. My go-to is Canva. It’s a free online website that makes design pretty easy :).

[@garygarber9229]

lets see some of your work.

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hi! You can find it on Facebook, Instagram, or in many of my other videos :).

[@darrellhoward9755]

Hi. Im in the process of ordering a Pegas scroll saw. My delima is most ot the time, the 21" would be fine but once in awhile I could really use the 30". Is there a down side to using the 30" for smaller projects?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Ohhh congrats! You will love the Pegas! I only have the 21”, but I can’t think of any downside there would be to a bigger one outside of it taking up more space. Can’t go wrong either way. Enjoy!

[@darrellhoward9755]

@@WendellWoodworks Thankyou, ordered the 30.

[@Blah-blah-sure]

Thanks. I'm considering getting a scroll saw. Just to add to my bucket list of Woodworking tools. Sigh, don't know where to begin. But I'll try ❤

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hey! I can understand how it could feel overwhelming. It’s such a great tool! If you want the best of the best, I have a code for 5% off a Pegas at BearWoods Supply :). (WENDELLWOODWORKS) I have lots of other beginner tutorials too if it’s helpful! Good luck!

[@Blah-blah-sure]

@@WendellWoodworks Thanks I hope to get a chance to follow up. Appreciate the help.

[@timmyblackwell3561]

My blades are new but I’m having trouble with it breaking in the middle of the blade. What causing this? And also my blade is slipping out of the grip. And one other thing too my blower won’t stay in place. I have a Porter-Cable Scroll Saw and I keep having trouble with my blade breaking all the time. I have gone through so many blades it’s on real. I have been scrolling for the past two years and it’s getting old. Can you please give me some advice?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Hey, Timmy! The most common cause of blade breakage is too much tension. It may just be too tight. That causes slip too. If it’s not that, it could be too much push/pressure if the blade isn’t big enough for the material. I’m not sure why your blower won’t stay in place…possibly too much vibration of the saw? Wish I could help you there. Sorry it’s giving you so much trouble! Pegas has replaceable chuck heads for just about every saw EXCEPT porter cable 🙈. But If you ever decide to upgrade, you can save 5% with my code WENDELLWOODWORKS at Bear Woods Supply. Best of luck!

[@timmyblackwell3561]

@@WendellWoodworks the wood I’m using is a 1/2 inch birch wood. I use a #5 skip tooth. Should I be using this tooth? What would you recommend?

[@WendellWoodworks]

@@timmyblackwell3561 I would try sizing up…especially if you feel like you’re having to push it. Maybe a 7 or even 9. I hope that helps!

[@LizsArtisanShop]

Enjoying your videos. Thank you for making them.

[@WendellWoodworks]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@ahmedsaaf1346]

I love this informations, it's exactly what I face it 😁😁😁 Thanks a lot for sharing your experience

[@WendellWoodworks]

Best of luck!

[@mdwms6152]

Great advice! thanks - loved the part about needing a break from the kiddos - been there!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@AerialLensVideo]

THANK YOU for the video -- GREAT INFO! I am a scroll saw newby and need to make some cut-out patterns with a few tight curves in masonite (for plasma cutting, so is an opening/negative of the piece to be cut out). I'm using a real nice (and HEV-VEY! Craftsman 16 inch saw with blade clamps that supposedly accomodate both pinned and pinless blades. Because of the detail needed, I'm trying to use an Olsen pinless spiral cut blade and find it comes out of the clamp too easily though really finger tightened. Any clues what to do? Lower the speed a lot?

[@WendellWoodworks]

Thanks for watching! Hmm, if you don’t think it’s tension related, I would try a different blade. Spiral blades can be tricky anyway. And if the material is too thick or heavy for your blade and you’re having to push it, it’ll slip more easily. You want your material to be able to feed though pretty easily. If you have a regular double reverse tooth blade I’d try that in a #5 or #7 if it’s thick. The Pegas Modified Geo Blades are also really good for that. I can send you a link for those if you want with a discount code for 5% off :).

[@AerialLensVideo]

@@WendellWoodworks Success! The key for me was your very first tip -- basically relaxing at the turns -- so simple but not obvious until I saw this tip. I went ahead and used a regular pinned fine blade and curves were suddenly no problem. THANKS SO MUCH. PS: For what it's worth, for these plasma cutter patterns done on the scroll saw, the masonite I am using works fantastically: Old style legal size clipboards, running about 12 dollars for a pack of six. They last and last (the plasma will not harm or burn them to any concerning degree, as many are surprised to learn).

[@WendellWoodworks]

@@AerialLensVideo woohoo glad it worked! I love finding alternative materials that are cheaper on the budget these days! I’m not familiar with plasma cutting…will have to look it up and would love to see a finished project photo!

[@danielfeitosafeitosa1811]

Tenho vontade de aprender

[@ellonysman]

Size does matter afterall hey!?😅

[@betsyjanestudio]

Just bought a Pegas scroll saw. Looking to get some information on the tension.

[@WendellWoodworks]

Congrats! I absolutely love mine so I hope you do too. What specifically are you looking to know? The black knob on the back will adjust your tension when turned, but I found mine was set right when I got it and haven’t had to mess with it. Once the blade is in, I push the white knob back to set it and it’s good to go. You might be asking a different question though, so let me know :).

[@betsyjanestudio]

@@WendellWoodworks so my husband adjusted the tension because he is a knob turner, button pusher, just hoping it has not messed anything up. In my husbands words it is suppose to "sing" when you hit the blade.

[@WendellWoodworks]

@@betsyjanestudio haha. That’s a good way to put it! Make it sing :). You don’t want it to be too tight or it could snap the blade, but too loose and your blade won’t want to cut straight and can be wonky. You’ll know when you start cutting if it’s working for you or not :).

[@shabehalre7]

.

[@darenwendell]

👍

[@hollygiles4380]

Great tips! Thank you

[@WendellWoodworks]

Thanks, Holly! Thanks for watching!

[@sreekumarUSA]

Thanks!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Oh my goodness, thank YOU! 😊

[@sreekumarUSA]

Welcome, Ma’am.

[@christinereina1758]

You're great and very inspiring!! Thank you so much for your videos and for answering my questions on IG!! I really appreciate it!!!

[@WendellWoodworks]

Aw, thank you Christine! I appreciate you too! ❤️

[@freakyfriesen]

Tension hallllp

[@WendellWoodworks]

Sorry it’s giving you trouble! Depending on your saw, it really can be the hardest part to figure out and key in. Best of luck!