—The simplest and cheapest scroll sawing outfit consists of (a) a scroll saw frame; (b) a dozen saw blades, and (c) an awl, all of which are shown in [Fig. 8]. If it is your idea to saw out brackets and other fancy knickknacks you ought to have a sheet of (d) impression paper,[9] (e) some [sheet designs],[10] and (f) some fancy wood.
[ [9] This is ordinary carbon paper such as is used for typewriting.
[10] See [Fancy Woods] for Scroll Sawing in this chapter.
The scroll saw frame is a bent iron or steel bar, usually nickel-plated, which forms a frame about 5 inches wide and 12 inches long. A handle is fitted to one end and a clamp to each end so that the saw blade can be held tight in the frame.
How to Use the Scroll Saw.
—The first thing to do is to put a saw blade in the frame and be sure to have the points of the teeth down, that is toward the handle.
Next mark the design you intend to saw out on a thin piece of wood[11] planed nice and smooth on both sides, hold it flat on the edge of the table with your left hand, grip the saw handle with your right hand and hold it so that the saw blade is vertical as shown in [Fig. 9].
[11] Both can be bought of L. H. Wild, 171 Avenue A, New York City.
You are ready now to begin to saw out the design; set the sawblade on the line, jig the saw frame up and down and be careful to give it even and smooth strokes. You will be surprised to find how easily it works. When you are sawing turn the wood and not the saw frame—the latter can be turned a little sometimes to advantage—and hold it so that the back of the frame is always toward you and the blade should move forward but very slightly.
