Making a Scroll Saw Chain Saw

On this week's show, I demonstrate how to make a "chain saw" using compound cutting on your scroll saw. It's a challenging and time consuming project that is a great skill builder. I hope you enjoy it.
If you haven't already, please consider liking and subscribing to the channel and while you are at it, why not click the bell so that you don't miss the notifications of future episodes of the show.
As always I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by the channel and check out today's show.
If you are interested in my video on squaring up your scroll saw blade, you can find it here. • Scroll Saw Blade Squaring
If you are interested in obtaining the pattern for the chain and the handle, they are both available for free download on my website. Visit acutabovewoodworkings.com and click on the free patterns section.

[@randyrockwell6136]

Fun project Ken. Back in the days of pre-arthritis, I carved many links of chain 🥴. I like your way better 🤠

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Hand carving chains is a whole new skill altogether Randy. I can see where arthritis would hinder that process. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words.

[@scottmorris4914]

This project will definitely teach patience

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It's not one for the impatient, that's for sure. Definitely not a quick project. Thanks for tuning in Scott

[@SuperPastorgary]

Outstanding work!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it. Thanks for tuning in to the show

[@rudydupreez5250]

Well done

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it Rudy. Thanks for tuning in.

[@hisa888yam]

Amazing. I'll tray. Thankyou.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Good luck with your project and thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@markduggan3451]

Thanks Kenny for this, I've wanted to add chains to the lovespoons that I make. I'll have to give this technique a go. My wife loves the fact that you call it a "chainsaw" it really made her laugh.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that I could give her a chuckle Mark. Laughter is good for the soul. Thanks for tuning in and good luck on your project.

[@dwightl5863]

I am amazed at the people that come up with these designs. The ability to see it in ones mind's eye and then make it happen in the physical world. I find it in creditable.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

There are definitely things that a scroll saw can do that most people don't even consider Dwight. The chain is just one example. Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to leave your comment.

[@paulsmessyworkshop]

Kenny, lots of cutting and trimming but the result is so worth it. I wouldn’t consider this a beginner project but it sure would be a good skill builder. Nice project and it came out amazing.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Definitely a lot of work Paul but well worth it. Thanks for tuning in sir. Always great to hear your comments on the show.

[@peterclifton7069]

That is brilliant. I have a profound respect for the person that designed the cutting template for that chain. Amazing. Thanks Kenny.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked the project Peter. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave your comment. It is truly appreciated.

[@ptimichel]

Wooow I very like it !! this will be my next projet ....thank`s to you !!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you like it. Thanks for tuning in and good luck on your project.

[@juliet4262]

Totally amazing! Awesome scrolling! I have not been able to scroll to that level but I am thinking I may need a better scroll saw! Fantastic job Kenny!! Love it and love watching your skills!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks so much for the kind words on the show Julie. It's always great to read your comments. Thanks for tuning in.

[@To-Lo77]

I have to THANK YOU for taking the time to leave in & demonstrate the real time scrolling portion of this project. There are very few demonstrations of such on YT as I'm sure many may not want to spend the time watching. I'd like to get into the art of scroll sawing. Even it being as slow as it is, it's such a relaxing but useful piece of information that many may need or want to see, such as myself. Techniques, details, tips & tricks are all useful to beginners. I'm sure there are many more beginners than there are pros, so IMO, pros have to understand that everyone of us beginners need this type of information. We don't wake up one morning just knowing how to do it just as they didn't. We all learn somehow over time. So again, a long winded THANK YOU for your time, effort, dedication to teaching and information you provide with scrolling & all other videos you put out each week. -Tony, California 🌞 🤙 😎 -Tony

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks for the kind words on the show Tony. I started scrolling about 30 years ago and I am completely self taught. Anything I learn, I learn through experience and through the few books that were available at the time. (which weren't many). I remember where I came from and what it takes to learn how to scroll and while some folks might not want to watch a real time scrolling video, there are those, like yourself that do. There's a reason I give a time signature to skip ahead to if you aren't interested in the scrolling. Beginners of the craft NEED these real time scrollings so that they can get a realistic representation of the time it takes to make a project. So many people try to learn scrolling and fail or give up because they are too hung up on cutting quickly because no one has ever shown them that it isn't all about speed. I'm glad that you recognize the value of a real time scrolling video and that you appreciate it. It's for good people like yourself, that I leave that content in the shows that I produce. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words. If you ever have any questions along the way Tony, please don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to help.

[@michaelmarchione3408]

I am always amazed when I see this done. I am not ready to attempt that yet. I do like your idea of compressing the piece after the first side is cut with a couple pieces of wood. I should have done that with the 3-D Christmas ornament I struggled with instead of just using tape. Enjoyed, take care!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

The tape method does work just fine Michael but it does leave a window of opportunity for the inner section to shift and give an uneven cut. The wood on the sides eliminates this shifting. Thanks for tuning in to the show this week Michael. I truly appreciate it.

[@keithgloyns9814]

the safest chain saw i have scene, good show

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it Keith. Thanks for tuning in.

[@barry.w.christie]

I find that doing anything repetitive can be extremely relaxing, the most important aspect is to forget about how much you have to do and just concentrate on what you are doing, it's amazing how quickly the time seems to pass. Nearly forgot ... love the 'chain saw' :)

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked the project Barry. Repetitious work can be relaxing but it can also allow us to become complacent. The most important part of your above statement is the "concentrate on what you are doing". As long as you keep that in mind, you're golden. Thanks for tuning in.

[@tesuji2000]

Very cool ! I watched the entire video and ( even though I have been scrolling quite a lot ) I finally understand the oft quoted statement " Let the saw do the work." I realized I always PUSH too much. ( I intend to just go slowly, enjoy the process and quit pushing.) Thanks so much for the lesson.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It's one of the hardest things to do in woodworking David. Letting the scroll saw do the work and not "push" to get faster cuts. It's against our nature to go slow but when we do, the rewards speak for themselves. Thanks for tuning in and good luck on your project.

[@karlriley1314]

HAHA, a CHAIN SAW. Bet it can't cut wood, hehe And another great project.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked the project Karl. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@bigsparky65]

Fantastic project, a little bit above my skills now

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You never know until you try. You might just surprise yourself. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@stephengee8488]

I think the clock changed over to regular standard time during the video! I don’t think I am patient enough to do that!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You'd be surprised what you can accomplish Stephen. Give it a try. Thanks for tuning in this week.

[@user-cd6qz4rd1t]

👍👍👍👍

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it. Thanks for tuning in.

[@bobwebberkc]

Awesome! As always a suggestion ( this is the first time ever). It would be great to know the build time of your projects going forward! Just a suggestion but I always wonder!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

This one took a whole day Bob. I started at about 10am and I was finished somewhere around 6pm. So roughly 8 hours. I hope this helps. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words on the show.

[@bobwebberkc]

@@acutabove_woodworkings the thing about knowing how much time a project takes allows me to budget time for your wondrous projects!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

@@bobwebberkc Well I hope you're able to budget in the time for this one Bob. It's a load of fun.

[@patrickgilson7743]

Great video! I’ve been wondering about sitting/standing while scrolling. Do you put your table at an angle because you’re sitting? Thanks!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

My scroll saw currently is flat and I sit at it with no issues. That being said, my old scroll saw (a DeWalt DW788) was tilted while I sat at it and it was much easier to do longer marathon cutting sessions. It's all about person preference and honestly, I prefer the table to be slightly tilted towards the user. I hope this helps Patrick. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@patrickgilson7743]

@@acutabove_woodworkings Thanks!

[@hansdegroot8549]

This is an awesome project. Very interesting. And the result is beautiful. You mentioned a few species of wood at the beginning. Pine was not among them. Is pine not suitable for this kind of work? And I was wondering: is it possible to use a larger dimension of wood (2 by 2 or 2.5 by 2.5 inches) and do it with a jig saw?

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I have made these out of pine as well Hans but they just aren't as strong and are more prone to breaking during the shaping process. You can make them as big as you like as long as you have a way to cut them. A jig saw might be a little aggressive but as long as you clamp your piece down well, it could possibly work. I might have to try that. Thanks for tuning in Hans and for taking the time to leave your comment.

[@hansdegroot8549]

@@acutabove_woodworkings I thank you very much for your answer.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

@@hansdegroot8549 You're very welcome.

[@yurivorontsov8925]

Amazing project, Kenny, thank you very much. I've seen wooden chains before and was always wondering if it's possible to do the bulk of work on the scroll saw rather than carve it, and here we go:) Just awesome. Kenny, can I ask if it's possible to share the pattern? I'm not as good regarding the computer graphics, but would be happy to pay for the pattern.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

There's no need to pay for it Yuri. Just visit my website at acutabovewoodworkings.com and click on the free patterns section to find the picture of the finished project, the pattern and the accompanying tutorial video. I hope this helps. The pattern is there for free download. Thanks for tuning in and good luck on your project. If you have any problems getting the pattern from the website, just let me know.

[@yurivorontsov8925]

@@acutabove_woodworkings That's awesome, thank you. I got back to scroll sawing a couple of years ago after, well, about 50 years break:) and enjoy it a lot. I've done a few compound projects and really looking forward to the chain.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

@@yurivorontsov8925 I'd love to see some of your work Yuri. You can always email me some pictures at [e-mail]. Who knows, they might get featured on the website's "viewer submissions" page.

[@culturayartedepuertorico7940]

How is it used?

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Truth be told, it doesn't cut very well. LOL. Thanks for tuning in.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

I enjoyed the real time scrolling, you are a master at scrolling! I like making 3 dimensional projects with the scroll saw! Thanks for the free templates. 😁🛫

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Not so sure that I'm a "master". I've just been doing it for a very long time. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Suggestion on applying the template to the stock! Apply blue painters tape to the stock they spray the adhesive to the template and the blue tape on the stock. It so so much easier to to remove the tape and not have adhesive to clean up🤣🛫

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

The masking tape method does work well on some projects and I have used it many times myself. The problem is that with a project like this, that creates so much dust and takes so long to cut, the sawdust works its way underneath the masking tape and causes it to release prematurely. When that happens, you lose your pattern, your alignment and your project is pretty much junk. While I do like the masking tape method and have used it many times here on the show, for this type of "long haul" project, I prefer the pattern to be a little more secure. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your suggestion.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

@@acutabove_woodworkings wow thank you for explaining that. It makes a lot sense. 😀🛫