FAQ – Pineknot Woodworking

How do I select a scroll saw blade for my project?

Blade Text Example!

How do I sharpen my Alan Lacer skew?

Example Text!

What equipment did we use for our turning class?

If you have taken my turning class, I would like to thank you for spending some time with me and your fellow class mates creating projects! If you have not taken a turning class with me, sign up for one!

I frequently receive emails asking what we used in the turning class as far as tools and products. Here is what we used in the class:

Turning Tool- This is the most asked question I receive in emails. We used an Alan Lacer 5/8″ (five-eights inch) radiused skew. You can find this tool in a few of the wood turning catalogs. The handles have changed color to a natural looking ash color. The ones we used in the class were finished with a cherry stain, but they are the same tool. You can also visit Alan Lacer’s website to see the tool in action. Alan designed the tool, hence his name on it!
2 inch engineer square (we used these in order to keep our turned pen/project profile straight, if you decided to have that type of profile for your turned pen/project)
Center Finder- We used a simple plastic center finder. This was the tool we used to mark the center of our pen/project blanks before we drilled them. There are many of these on the market, including a small metal center finder that fits on your keychain! You can also find them in many of the woodworking catalogs.
Pen Press- this is the tool we used to press our plated parts in to the pen/project tubes for assembly. You can find any number of pen presses on the market. Many students prefer the type that has removable blocks to help with the process, other students prefer the adjustable type with the handle that tightens the rod and foregoes the blocks. Whichever you preferred you will be able to find at any number of woodworking stores and catalogs.
Finish- The finish we used on our pens/project was Mylands friction polish. This finish is fast, easy and looks great. The durability of the finish will not hold up to heavy daily use, so be aware that after some use, hand oils and other factors will change the overall appearance of the wood. You can find both Mylands Sanding sealer and friction polish at your local woodworking supply store, or in several of the catalogs.
Wood- We used various types of wood in the class. If you are looking for a specific wood that we used, email me, and I will do my best to remember what we used in your class.
Glue- We used a medium viscosity CA type glue for the pens/projects. There are many types of glue that will work for pens/projects, and it is really the preference of the maker. There are many brands of CA glue on the market but the brand we used in class was Stick Fast. Stick Fast is made here in the USA and I like to purchase items that are made here. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN GLUING! ALWAYS HAVE GOOD VENTILATION WHEN USING CA GLUE!
Glue Activator- We used the glue activator (we sprayed this to make the glue dry faster) from Stick Fast as well.
Pen/Project Kits- The kits we used to make the pens and projects in our class came from a variety of distributors. You can always look for a distributor online, and once you make an order or request a catalog, you can receive some information about sales. I always look for good sales, and that is where I go to get the kits we used. A quick reminder that you will need to look at the accompanying items that will be required to finish your pen or kit, especially if the kit is new to your repertoire! Drill bit sizes, bushings, blank sizes, end mill/reamer and instructions are some of the things that will need to be gathered to complete the project.
Saw- We used a hand miter saw to cut the blanks for our projects. A very simple saw with a miter box is very inexpensive and a safe way to cut your blanks with perfect 90 degree cuts. A more complex saw will offer an adjustable stop and perhaps a hold down. These are nice to have but are not necessities. A blade for the saw with fine teeth are a necessity. Something with 14 to 20 teeth per inch is ideal. The brand that we used in the class was Jorgensen.
Reamer/End Mill- We used a combination tool in our class for making sure the glue was removed from our tubes and that the ends of our blanks were perpendicular to the brass tubes we used. The combination tool is specific for the size of the tube that is used in the project and you will need to be aware of what size is required for your project. This is a tool that I believe you spend the money on. Do not be cheap when purchasing this tool. A carbide bladed combination tool would be the best buy, as it will stay sharper and give you better results in the end. The brand we used mostly in the class was a company that is in North Carolina by the name of Whiteside. I prefer to purchase tools that are made in the USA, and this is an opportunity to support a local supplier. Whiteside makes a combination package that has an end mill head in it along with 5 of the most common sizes of reamer posts that is very reasonably priced.

If you have any other inquiries for the tools or products that we used in the class, go to the contact form, and send me a request for the tool or product. I will send you a reply, and I will also add it here for the reference of others!

What equipment did we use for our scrollsaw class?

If you have taken my scrollsaw class, I would like to thank you for spending some time with me and your fellow class mates creating projects! If you have not taken a scrollsaw class with me, sign up for one!

I frequently receive emails asking what we used in the scrollsaw class as far as tools. Here is what we used in the class:

Scrollsaw – Dewalt model 788 variable speed
2 inch engineer square (we used these in order to square the scrollsaw table with the blades)
Blades- We used Flying Dutchman blades. I have a link in the Links section to their site. As far as specifics go, we mostly used a number 5 blade, unless you had a specific project that we adjusted the blade size for. See the questions in the FAQ for selecting blade size if you need a refresher on what was used for your project.
PG2000- This is the spray we used to clean and lubricate the table for the scrollsaw.
Packing Tape- Packing tape can be purchased under many brands. If I can find the 3M brand I use that one, if I cannot find it, any old packing tape will do. Make sure it is clear packing tape, and that it is not reinforced with strands.
Wood- We used various sizes and types of wood in the class. If you are looking for a specific project, take a look in the Gallery section under Projects To Do (future enhancement to the site). Some of the popular projects that we completed in the class are covered there, with step by step instructions!

What should I expect from the upcoming scrollsaw class?

First, let me thank you for choosing to come and spend some time with me and include me in your woodworking journey! I hope this topic helps you get information that will make your experience rewarding and fun. As always, any questions or concerns, please use the contact form to send me an email, or a contact request ticket.

Secondly, let me assure you, we will be in a non-stress environment where you will be able to concentrate on gaining new skills and becoming confident around the scrollsaw. Safety is always our focus during the classes.

If you are joining me for a weekend class at John C Campbell Folk School –

Congratulations! The woodworking studio is one of the best facilities in the country for learning how to use the scrollsaw. The spacious and well lit studio is climate controlled and well appointed with equipment and tools. We will be working on the scrollsaws in the studio, which are full sized scrollsaws with stands (most of the saws are DEWALT model 788 or similar clone). To start our class, we will do introductions and discuss your level of scrollsaw experience and what you would like to take away from the overall class experience. We then dive immediately into a structured set of instructions for the necessary steps of completing our first evening of class. We will be cutting on practice boards on the first night! Be prepared to start working immediately. This will include a demonstration at the instructor scrollsaw, where safety and tool techniques will be the primary focus. We will leave the first night with a practice board set up and cut on to gain basic understandings of cuts and how to set up the scrollsaw. We will learn skills on the practice board that we will continue to assist us with our work on the second day. When we return on the second day, we will continue to practice different cuts until you are comfortable with the set up of the saw and making the basic cuts. When you are comfortable, we will proceed to setting up your projects. At this point we are usually at or around the lunch time for the second day. Depending on which class you are taking (I teach a general project class, a toy class and a Christmas tree ornament class), you will probably have 2 completed projects at or around this time. The remainder of the second day and our third day, we will be completing the projects scheduled for the class (see the list below). You will have some beautiful projects completed to share with your friends and family, or keep them yourself! By the end of the weekend, you will have found a fun and exciting new woodworking skill. A quick note about tools. You may bring your tools if you feel more comfortable using them, BUT YOU MUST GET APPROVAL PRIOR TO THE CLASS. The tool that we will use in the class is a DEWALT model 788 scrollsaw (or similar clone). I have found that this tool empowers new scrollsawyers with the ability to quickly and confidently create projects with a minimum of intimidation.

General project class- This class is really an open format for projects. I have had students during this class complete nothing but practice boards and I have had students complete any number of puzzles, ornaments, toys or decorative projects. The focus of this class is to get you comfortable with the equipment, setting up the saw, blade selection and cutting the project out. There are no required projects to complete for this class, and I have magazines, books and patterns with very diverse themes and content. I will have a selection of woods and plywood to work with which are specific to most of the projects available. The hardest part of this class is selecting your next project!
Toy class- This class is focused on toys, but it has a mostly open format for projects as well. Again the focus is to get you comfortable with the equipment, setting up the saw, blade selection and cutting the project out. There are no required projects to complete for this class, and I have many different toys and puzzles available with themes and content making the selection process difficult in a good way.
Christmas tree ornament class- The focus of this class is all types of ornaments, from flat to 3 dimensional, but it has a mostly open format for projects as well. Again the focus is to get you comfortable with the equipment, setting up the saw, blade selection and cutting the project out. There are no required projects to complete for this class, and I have many different ornaments available with themes and content making the selection process difficult in a good way.
- Skills and Tools you will become familiar with:
  - Safety around a scrollsaw
  - Safety around a drill press
  - Safety around the project making process
  - Concepts for projects
  - Discuss blade types and manufacturing process
  - How to choose materials for your project
  - How to use a drill press (drilling holes in our templates)
  - How to use a scrollsaw
  - How to select the correct blade size and configuration for your projects
  - How to set up your project to be successfully cut on the saw
  - How to drill holes into our template to allow inside cuts
  - How to prepare the saw for cutting – table preparations, squaring the table, comfortable ergonomics
  - Installing a blade on the saw
  - How to make the basic cuts- straight, curves, tight curves, square corners and inside cuts
  - How to efficiently make duplicate projects with stack cuts
  - How to set up the scrollsaw for your individual needs
  - Discuss distributors and dealers for materials and patterns (where you can get the materials we used)
- Helpful Suggestions and Tips
  - Bring a notebook to the class – we will have plenty of information presented in a quick format. Diagrams will be drawn on the eraser board and can be helpful in providing reference for later use.
  - Bring your personal safety equipment. We will have face shields and some safety glasses available during the class, but these are not personalized to you. They may not fit exactly right or feel clunky. Bring your own eye protection (regular glasses and contacts are not good enough) or face shields if possible. THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT, but may make your experience more enjoyable. Any number of woodworking stores around can advise you on safety equipment. I have eye protection that is specific to my eye prescription and allows me to use only one set of glasses for my eye protection. Also, if you have ear protection and dust masks that you enjoy using or find comfortable, bring those as well.
  - We will be working around very sharp tools and machinery. Please plan your wardrobe accordingly.
    - No open toed shoes
    - Phones need to be placed in silent mode or turned off. If you need to accept a call or make a call, there are plenty of covered outside areas around the shop that are available for these activities. Please be considerate of your fellow classmates. Attending to calls while woodworking is a safety issue and should be avoided. If you are an on call physician or other service, please let me know at the start of the class.
    - ABSOLUTELY NO WIRED/WIRELESS LISTENING DEVICES WILL BE ALLOWED DURING CLASS TIME. This means headphones, headsets or other listening apparatus. I need to be able to communicate with you about safety issues and give instructions without distractions. I enjoy listening to music as much as anyone else while in the shop, but during our weekend this is a safety issue.
    - Long hair needs to be secured up and out of the way
    - Dangling jewelry needs to be removed
    - Comfortable shoes – we will be standing for many hours
    - Long sleeves need to be able to be rolled up
    - Glasses and contacts need to be used along with safety shields and eye protection. They are NOT mutually exclusive!!
    - Dust masks, ear protection and other safety equipment will be used and may cause adjustments to your wardrobe
    - Dust, dirt, glue and wood chips are part of the process, so do not bring clothes that cannot adapt to that environment and hold up to a working environment
  - Workshop hours are usually extended for these classes. I usually have the shop open for additional hours. These later hours are for students that would like to complete additional projects or if they feel like they are needing additional hours to complete the class work. I encourage students to participate in any of the school events that are going on during the weekend. The later hours for the shop are NOT required to be attended by students, and no additional information is provided during these hours that a student would miss.
  - If you are bringing special wood or tools to the class, please respect my judgement on whether the wood or tools are going to work well with the class. I have an open mind about most tools and wood, but I have been teaching this class for over 15 years, and have a pretty good idea of what will work and what will cause issues for the students.
  - Each class is different! You make the class what it is. I enjoy watching the class turn into a supportive group of woodworkers discovering their inner artists. Please be supportive of your fellow classmates. Patience and humor are two of the things we will need in great abundance during our non stressful journey during the class.
  - Bring an open mind. You will learn how to create beautiful projects during our class time together. I will demonstrate how to create these projects using techniques and tools that I have found efficient and non intimidating for beginners. There are many ways to create these projects and I will offer advice on how alternative processes and tools can be employed to do the same operations. I hope to give you enough skills, safety awareness and familiarity with the process to get you started in the woodworking adventure. What you do with the knowledge is part of your woodworking journey and you may find other tools and techniques you like better later. I encourage you to always find other information and techniques during your journey!
  - We will be working in a dusty and sometimes loud environment. If you have allergies or sensitive ears, please make sure you bring your safety equipment to negate these factors.
  - No alcohol will be consumed at the shop. If you bring alcohol during your weekend, it must be consumed away from the shop and after you have completed woodworking for the day.

What should I expect from the upcoming turning class?

Secondly, let me assure you, we will be in a non-stress supportive environment where you will be able to concentrate on gaining new skills and becoming confident around the lathe. Safety is always our focus during the classes.

If you are joining me for a weekend class at John C Campbell Folk School –

Congratulations! The Willard Baxter turning studio, named after one of the local pioneers of woodturning, is one of the best facilities in the country for learning how to turn. The spacious and well lit studio is climate controlled and well appointed with equipment and tools. We will be working on the mini lathes in the studio, which are a smaller version of the full sized lathes and much less intimidating. To start our class, we will do introductions and discuss your level of turning experience and what you would like to take away from the overall class experience. We then dive immediately into a structured set of instructions for the necessary steps of completing our first evening of class. We will be cutting blanks, sanding brass tubes and gluing blanks on the first night! Be prepared to start working immediately. We will leave the first night with a set of blanks that we will continue to work with on the second day. When we return on the second day, we will repeat the steps from the previous evening to create a second set of blanks. When we get our second set of blanks ready to work on, we will have a group discussion outlining the next set of steps to complete our first and second set of blanks. This will include a demonstration at the instructor lathe, where safety and tool techniques will be the primary focus. At this point we are usually at or around the lunch time for the second day. Depending on which class you are taking (I teach both a penturning specific class and small project class), you will probably have 2 completed projects at or around this time. The remainder of the second day and our third day, we will be completing the projects scheduled for the class (see the list below). You will have some beautiful projects completed to share with your friends and family, or keep them yourself! By the end of the weekend, you will have found a fun and exciting new woodturning skill. A quick note about tools. You may bring your tools if you feel more comfortable using them. The tool that we will use in the class is an Alan Lacer 5/8″ skew. I have found that this tool empowers new turners with the ability to quickly and confidently create projects with a minimum of intimidation.

Penturning specific class- we plan on completing 4 different pen kits during the weekend. This may seem ambitious, but you will be surprised at how quickly you will complete the pens after you get a basic knowledge of the process. We will be completing a 7mm slim line pen kit, a cigar type kit, a single bodied pen kit (Sierra or Wall Street II are the specific kit names) and for our last pen we will be using a premium two piece body kit (Naviagator is a specific kit style). I will have a very wide selection of woods to work with (usually 30 wood types from all over the world), which will provide you with some experience working with dense woods, soft woods, different colored woods and varying finishing characteristics. I will have a variety of plating options for most kits (usually some form of gold finish and a chrome or other type finish) to choose from. I will have some extra kits available to complete for additional costs if you finish the four kits and desire to do extra work (these must be completed during the evening hours).
Small Projects specific class- we plan on completing 4 to 5 different project kits during the weekend. Again, this may seem ambitious, but you will be surprised at how quickly you will complete the projects after you get a basic knowledge of the process. There will be many different projects available during the class. Some of the projects based on your choices may include a 7mm slim line pen, a key chain, a ceiling fan or light pull, a letter opener, a seam ripper, a Christmas tree ornament or other similar type of projects. The one project everyone will complete during the class is the kaleidoscope egg. The egg project is a kaleidoscope that resembles a wooden chicken egg. Again, options are going to be available for wood types and kit finishes, and I will have extra kits available in limited supplies for students who would like to complete extra projects after class hours.
- Skills and Tools you will become familiar with:
  - Safety around a min lathe
  - Safety around a drill press
  - Safety around the pen or project making process
  - How to use a hand miter saw
  - Concepts of pen kits and project kits
  - How to use a drill press (drilling holes in our blanks)
  - How to use a mini lathe
  - How to use a pen press (used to assemble the pen or projects)
  - How to use a 5/8″ Alan Lacer skew
  - How to process raw material into usable blanks (wood will only be used in class)
  - How to drill holes into our pen or project blanks
  - How to prepare the brass tubes for the pen or project
  - Gluing blanks
  - How to use an end mill (this is a specialty tool to create a perfectly aligned blank)
  - How to prepare the blanks for the lathe
  - How to set up a pen mandrel and mandrel saver (this is another specialty tool which allows the blank to be mounted on the lathe)
  - How to realize a design for your pen or project (pleasing shapes and tactile considerations will be discussed)
  - Sanding blanks
  - Applying a finish to your pen or project
  - Assembly of your pen or project
  - Keeping your pen or project looking great
  - Discuss distributors and dealers for materials and kits (where you can get the materials we used)
- Helpful Suggestions and Tips:
  - Bring a notebook to the class – we will have plenty of information presented in a quick format. Diagrams will be drawn on the eraser board and can be helpful in providing reference for later use.
  - Bring your personal safety equipment. We will have face shields and some safety glasses available during the class, but these are not personalized to you. They may not fit exactly right or feel clunky. Bring your own eye protection (regular glasses and contacts are not good enough) or face shields if possible. THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT, but may make your experience more enjoyable. Any number of woodworking stores around can advise you on safety equipment. I have eye protection that is specific to my eye prescription and allows me to use only one set of glasses for my eye protection. Also, if you have ear protection and dust masks that you enjoy using or find comfortable, bring those as well.
  - We will be working around very sharp tools and machinery. Please plan your wardrobe accordingly.
    - No open toed shoes
    - Phones need to be placed in silent mode or turned off. If you need to accept a call or make a call, there are plenty of covered outside areas around the shop that are available for these activities. Please be considerate of your fellow classmates. Attending to calls while turning is a safety issue and should be avoided. If you are an on call physician or other service, please let me know at the start of the class.
    - ABSOLUTELY NO WIRED/WIRELESS LISTENING DEVICES WILL BE ALLOWED DURING CLASS TIME. This means headphones, headsets or other listening apparatus. I need to be able to communicate with you about safety issues and give instructions without distractions. I enjoy listening to music as much as anyone else while in the shop, but during our weekend this is a safety issue.
    - Long hair needs to be secured up and out of the way
    - Dangling jewelry needs to be removed
    - Comfortable shoes – we will be standing for many hours
    - Long sleeves need to be able to be rolled up
    - Glasses and contacts need to be used along with safety shields and eye protection. They are NOT mutually exclusive!!
    - Dust masks, ear protection and other safety equipment will be used and may cause adjustments to your wardrobe
    - Dust, dirt, glue and wood shavings are part of the process, so do not bring clothes that cannot adapt to that environment and hold up to a working environment
  - Workshop hours are usually extended for these classes. I usually have the shop open for additional hours. These later hours are for students that would like to complete additional projects or if they feel like they are needing additional hours to complete the class work. I encourage students to participate in any of the school events that are going on during the weekend. The later hours for the shop are NOT required to be attended by students, and no additional information is provided during these hours that a student would miss.
  - If you are bringing special wood or tools to the class, please respect my judgement on whether the wood or tools are going to work well with the class. I have an open mind about most tools and wood, but I have been teaching this class for over 15 years, and have a pretty good idea of what will work and what will cause issues for the students.
  - Each class is different! You make the class what it is. I enjoy watching the class turn into a supportive group of woodworkers discovering their inner artists. Please be supportive of your fellow classmates. Patience and humor are two of the things we will need in great abundance during our non stressful journey during the class.
  - Bring an open mind. You will learn how to create beautiful pens and projects during our class time together. I will demonstrate how to create these projects using techniques and tools that I have found efficient and non intimidating for beginners. There are many ways to create these projects and I will offer advice on how alternative processes and tools can be employed to do the same operations. I hope to give you enough skills, safety awareness and familiarity with the process to get you started in the woodturning adventure. What you do with the knowledge is part of your woodworking journey and you may find other tools and techniques you like better later. I encourage you to always find other information and techniques during your journey!
  - We will be working in a dusty and sometimes loud environment. If you have allergies or sensitive ears, please make sure you bring your safety equipment to negate these factors.
  - No alcohol will be consumed at the shop. If you bring alcohol during your weekend, it must be consumed away from the shop and after you have completed turning for the day.