A book for the beginning scroll saw user

If your new to scrolling and aren't sure where to get started, I'd recommend this book highly, the title of the book is Scroll Saw Workbook - learn to use your scroll saw in 25 skill-building chapters by John A. Nelson. It starts with a brief but interesting history of scrolling which dates back to the 1500's and has illustrations of both old saws and patterns from the Victorian era. The book moves on to the different types of saw mechanisms of which there are five, even if you're not interested in mechanical movements and machinery perse , the type of scroll saw that you choose does make a difference in price and ease of use, noise vs. vibration, etc. There are many illustrations and descriptions of the modern scroll saws that are available here in the U.S. and their features and accessories. The book also covers the different type of scroll saw blades, a description and their uses, and how to properly tension the blade.

The practice exercises start with the most basic operation, accurately cutting straight lines, curved, wavy and sharp turns. How to do stack cutting so you can make multiple items at once. how to cut materials like plastic and paper, making relief cuts, 3-D cutting. Basic patterns are provided to make many nice small projects for the beginner. I purchased this book for myself a found it invaluable and still refer to it from time to time. I bought the book on Amazon.com, but the book is also available from Fox Chapel Publishing, which offers many other great books for scrolling, pyrography, carving and woodworking.