# Advice needed: cutting with a scrollsaw

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-cutting-with-a-scrollsaw/176711>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 22, 2003, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-cutting-with-a-scrollsaw/176711 "2003-05-22T01:51:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-cutting-with-a-scrollsaw/176711/1 "2003-05-22T01:51:21Z")

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I’m trying to make a modeling project that involves cutting out 1/4" thick wood into several pieces with straight sides about 2"x3". My problem is that I need a ruler-straight cut or the pieces won’t fit together properly, and the scrollsaw is doing exactly what it was designed to do: making curved cuts. In particular, even though I carefully follow the lines I drew on the top surface of the wood, I’m actually continually correcting my cut as I start to drift, so the _bottom_ side of the cut is all wavy. How can I get a clean straight cut?

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**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-cutting-with-a-scrollsaw/176711/2 "2003-05-22T01:55:58Z")

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I thought I should add that the problem is amplified by the fact that I need a beveled cut, so I’m working with the base set at an angle.

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**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-cutting-with-a-scrollsaw/176711/3 "2003-05-22T02:15:37Z")

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Try to fashion some sort of guide to help you on the straight bits…clamp a straight piece of wood to the saw table to help guide you along. It will help a lot if you don’t have access to a band saw or table saw.

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-cutting-with-a-scrollsaw/176711/4 "2003-05-22T02:33:56Z")

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Use a table circular saw instead.

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**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-cutting-with-a-scrollsaw/176711/5 "2003-05-22T03:48:57Z")

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I don’t know what to add here…

Make sure you are using skip-tooth blades. They cut smoother and give far better control – I can split a pencil line with them. Other than that, steer carefully. You will almost always have to push the work a few degrees away from straight since the blades usually favor one side, but once you get the proper angle to turn the work, you should have no problem getting a nice straight line.

Oh and about that table saw… I assume that you don’t have one, otherwise you wouldn’t even bother trying with the scroll saw.

Good luck!