#P562 - 3-D End of the Trail

Approximate size: 11” x 14”.

GENERAL SCROLLSAW TIPS & TECHNIQUES
The following scrollsaw tips and techniques are intended to get you started and on your way to scrollsaw success.
Not only will you find these techniques helpful in completing the this project, you will also find that they can be applied
to many other scrollsaw projects as well.

HARDWOODS VS PLYWOODS
Selecting the type of material you will use is very important for the final outcome of your project. This project has
been designed so that hardwoods, plywoods, or a combination can be used to create your work of art.
Hardwoods have their advantages as well as their disadvantages. They come in a variety of species, colors and grain
patterns, yet they are more time consuming requiring more sanding, are more likely to warp and are more expensive
to use.
Plywoods, on the other hand, are less expensive, require less sanding, and come in a variety of standard thicknesses.
They also are less likely to develop cracks or warp. We do, however, recommend that you use a top grade plywood
without voids, such as the Baltic and Finnish birches.

SANDING
For most projects, it is best to sand the work piece prior to applying the paper pattern and cutting the design. Once
you’ve cut the design, and removed the paper pattern, it may be necessary to lightly sand any glue residue remaining,
along with any “fuzz” on the bottom side.

BLADE SELECTION
There are many opinions pertaining to which blade to use with which type and thickness of material, as well as,
with how intricate the design in the project is. The more time
Material Thickness Blade Size Recommended
you put into scrolling, the more your choice of which blade to
1/16” - 1/4” #2/0 or #2
use will become personal preference. For the beginning
scroller we make the following recommendations to get 1/4” - 1/2” #5 or #7
you started: 1/2” - 3/4” or thicker #7 or #9

USING THE PATTERNS

Downloadable patterns give you the advantage of printing the patterns on your own printer at your own convenience.
Be sure to download all of the file and save it to a disk or your harddrive according to your computer software’s
instructions.
Once you have printed the number of pattern pieces that you will need to complete your projects, you are ready
to apply the pattern to your work pieces.
Apply the repositionable spray adhesive as directed in the next section. If your project requires piecing 2 or more
sheets of paper together to make the full-size pattern piece, simply follow the instructions below for accurate alignment.

Pattern Frame & Back

overlap
Stock: 1/8” - 1/4”, cut 1 each
Left pattern piece.

line
Craft knife

Clear
Pattern overlap line

Ruler Cut on
solid line for
Frame only.

tape

Cut on
dashed line
for Back

Step 2
Step 1 Next, align the sections and secure together with clear tape.
Using a straightedge and a craft knife, cut on the dashed Now, apply the repositionable spray adhesive to the backside
“Pattern Overlap Lines” to remove the excess paper. of the paper pattern as instructed in the next section.
 REPOSITIONABLE SPRAY ADHESIVE
Using a repositionable spray adhesive is the easiest and quickest way to transfer a pattern to your work piece after
photo copying it. In a well ventilated area, lightly spray the backside of the paper pattern. Allow it to dry only until tacky
- approximately 20 - 30 seconds. Then apply it to the work piece, smoothing any wrinkles if necessary.
Two common problems that sometimes occur when using repositionable spray adhesive for the first time is applying
the right amount onto the back of the pattern. Spraying too little may result in the pattern lifting off of the project before
you have finished cutting. If this occurs, clear scotch tape can be used to secure the pattern back into position. On the
other hand, spraying too much will make it difficult to remove the pattern, If this occurs, simply use a hand held hair
dryer to heat the glue, which will loosen the pattern allowing it to be easily
removed.

DRILLING STARTER HOLES

When drilling starter holes it is best to drill close to a corner, rather
than in the middle of the waste areas, as it will take less time for the blade
to reach the pattern line.

STACK CUTTING
Stack cutting is fairly simple to do and can save you a lot of time when
you have 2 or more identical pieces to cut for a project. If you are fairly
new to scrollsawing and stack cutting, we recommend cutting no more
than a total thickness
of 1/2” for best
results.
On projects with
fairly simple shapes to cut out, 2 or 3 layers could be held together
by double-sided tape, or by using spray glue on paper to sandwich
between the work pieces.
On more intricate projects we suggest using #18 wire nails or
brads slightly longer than the total thickness of the stack you are
cutting. Tack the nails into the waste areas you will cut out, along
with a few around the outside of the project. If the nail has gone
through the bottom of the work piece, use a hammer to tap it flush,
or use coarse sandpaper to sand the points flush with the bottom
of the work piece.
If you are stack cutting hardwoods, do not tack the nail too close
to the pattern line or it may cause the wood to split. Another option would be to predrill for the nails with a slightly
smaller drill bit so the nail will fit snugly and hold the layers together securely.

SAWING THIN WOODS

Occasionally you may find it difficult to control your workpiece when cutting in thin hardwoods or plywoods. The
following suggestions should help to eliminate or reduce this problem.
1. If you have a variable speed saw, reduce the speed to 1/2 to 3/4 of high speed.
2. If you do not have a variable speed saw, it will help to stack cut 2 or more layers of your material to keep better
control of the workpiece.
3. For cutting any thickness of material it is very beneficial to keep at least one hand, if not both, partially touching the
table with your fingers for better control.
4. Using a smaller blade with more teeth per inch helps to slow down how fast the blade is cutting. But keep in mind
that if the blade is leaving burn marks you will need to slow the speed down or use a blade with less teeth per inch.
 VEINING
Veining is a simple technique that will bring a lifelike
appearance to your project. The veins of a leaf or the folds
of clothing will look more realistic when this technique is
incorporated. To vein, simply saw all solid black lines as
indicated on the pattern. Some areas of the pattern you will
be able to vein by sawing inward from the outside edge, while
in other areas you will need to drill a tiny starter hole for the
blade.
AUXILIARY TABLE
Most scrollsaws on the market today have an opening in
the table around the blade that is much larger than what you
really need. This often causes small and delicate fretwork to
break off on the downward stroke of the blade. An easy solution
is to add a wooden auxiliary table to the top of the metal table
on your saw.
To make an auxiliary table, choose a piece of 1/4” - 3/8” plywood
similar to the size of your current saw’s table. If you choose, you can
cut this plywood to the same shape as the metal table on your saw, or
any shape or size you prefer. However, we do recommend that you make
the table larger than what you think you will need for the size of the
projects you will make in the future.
Next, set the auxiliary table on top of the metal table. From the
underside of the metal table, use a pencil to mark the location where
the blade will feed through. Then turn the auxiliary table over and drill
a 1/16” - 1/8” diameter hole, or slightly larger than the blade you will
be using.
Finally, apply a couple of strips of double-sided carpet tape to the
metal table on each side of the blade. Then, firmly press the auxiliary
table onto the double-sided carpet tape, making sure that the blade is
centered in the hole.

FINISHING TECHNIQUES
If you’ve made your project from hardwood, we recommend dipping your project in a dishpan type of container
that contains a penetrating oil such as Watco, Tung, or others. After dipping, allow the excess oil to drain back into
the pan and then follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you have chosen to use plywood, such as Baltic Birch, you can use any of the wide variety of wood stains
available on the market. We do, however, recommend sanding the surface thoroughly, in order for the plywood to
accept the stain more evenly.
As a final finish step, we highly recommend using a clear varathane type spray for a protective coating.
 C

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I
GREAT AMERICAN
B
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DOWNLOADABLE PATTERNS TM
The Berry Basket © Copyright 2001 • All Rights Reserved
D www.greatamericanscrollsaw.com • a division of The Berry Basket
H

#P562 - End of the Trail 3-D Scene

#P562 - End of the Trail 3-D Scene

Description Item Qty Size
Frame & Back A 1 ea 1/8” - 1/4”T x 10 1/4”W x 15”L
Front Hills B 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 1 1/2”W x 4 1/4”L
Cloud C 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 5/8”W x 2 3/8”L
Left Cactus D 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 1 1/4”W x 2”L
Sun E 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 1”W x 1”L
Right Cactus F 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 2 1/4”W x 3 1/4”L
RightHills G 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 2”W x 3”L
Grass H 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 2 1/2”W x 6”L
Back Hills I 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 2 1/4”W x 12”L
Figure J 1 1/16” - 1/8”T x 6 1/4”W x 6 1/2”L

Frame
Figures
Frame
Back
Back

- Indicates placement of spacers

Assembly Instructions
Assemble by first attaching the 6 spacer Blocks to the back of the Frame with glue, super glue
or silicone. Center the Frame over the Back and glue the Spacer Blocks into position on the Back.
Attach the Spacers where indicated on the back of the Figures. Position the Figures approximately
as shown in the diagram and secure into place.
Note: If you are attaching a banner to the Frame, we recommend first gluing a contrasting paper
behind the lettering before you glue the banner in place.
#P562
 Frame & Back (A)
Stock: 1/8” - 1/4”, cut 1 each

Front Hills (B)

Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”
Spacers: 1/8”, cut 2

Cloud (C)
Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”
Spacers: 1/8”, cut 2

Left Cactus (D)

Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”

Cut on

Pattern overlap line

solid line
for Frame Sun (E)
only. Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”
Spacers: 1/8”

Right Cactus (F)

Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”
Spacers: 1/4”, cut 2

Cut on dashed
line for Back

Right Hills (G)

Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”
Spacers: 1/8”, cut 3
#P562
The Berry Basket © Copyright 2001
 Frame & Back (A)
Stock: 1/8” - 1/4”, cut 1 each
Right pattern piece.

Cut 6 spacer
blocks from
3/8” thick
material to
separate
Frame from
Back.
Pattern overlap line

#P562
The Berry Basket © Copyright 2001
 The Berry Basket © Copyright 2001
(I) ” Grass (H)
lls 1/8
Hi 6” - Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”
ck 1/1
Batock:
S

#P562
Attach to backside
of the Frame on
dashed line.
 Figure (J)
Stock: 1/16” - 1/8”
Spacers: 3/8”, cut 3

#P562
The Berry Basket © Copyright 2001