I've dug out the old scroll saw and have been trying it out again. It's been a few years, but by reading all the posts and videos, I wanted to give it a try again.

I made a few of Steve Goods key chains and other simple things to get my feet wet again.

My question for today is: What's the best place to put the starter holes for inside cuts? I've seen it both ways, in a corner and in the middle of the cut out.

Our camera took a swim so the only pics I have are on my phone. When we get another one I'll post some pictures.

Thanks

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Gene, I try to get close to a corner, but if the cut doesn't have any corners  I usually drill in the widest spot . 

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactoryga.com/

Harry

I try to drill my holes as close to the open area as possible. If not I use a corner I have to cut. Beyond that, use the smallest drill bit you have and get as close mas you can to the most inconspicuous area you can. I have n been know to use a #60 bit for starter holes.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

I stay away from the corners cause i learned on the old type scroll saws that had a key that you had to turn to lock the blade in and you never knew if you had it right so when you started it back up, sometimes the blade would fall out, not cut straight or just wander around and starting too close to an edge could mean ruining it.

Thanks for the input. Some of the patterns have corners and others have curves.I've been putting the holes in the corners and that's been working out. The curves I still have to work on so that I don't have too big of a lip when I'm finishing up the cut.

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Drilling a hair away from the edge should help eliminate the lip you're talking about, as you come up the line you'll trim it off. I do the opposite of Wayne I sue the largest bit I can get away with, makes it easier to find the hole from the bottom side. Also if you are feeding your blade from the bottom you can take a colored pencil and mark the holes after you drill them making it easier to find them, I use red. 

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactoryga.com/