Tip of the day - Prepping the work; a newbies guide

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I have pretty much nailed down my process for prepping a project for scrolling. Once I have obtained the pattern I am going to work on and print it out, I trim it and tape (if needed for larger projects) the template.

Next, I prep my wood, cutting it to size and giving it a light sanding if needed. Once that is done, I do the old Mark 1 eyeball, and see how I am going to place the template taking note of the grain direction, wasted wood, etc.  I try to minimize wasted wood, or at least plan on having leftovers that can be cut into smaller projects.

In order to make it easy for the removal of the remaining template, I use a self-adhesive, clear shelf liner and stick it on the side I am going to adhere the template. I will add pencil marks for any type of alignment of the template I am concerned with. I am measuring and using an angle and ruler to make everything right and tight.

From there, I use a spray adhesive on the back of the template, line everything up over the surface and carefully stick it to the shelf liner, staying to any marks I have made.

I will then look over what I have and plan my drilling and cuts. I will note the first few cuts and their order marking the template.  I will also add some directional marks on tricker templates.  Basically, I am mapping out my first few cuts.

There you go.  The first steps of prepping.  Next it is time to start making sawdust! I will post more in another post regarding drilling and cutting.




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