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Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw

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Last year, I shared a tutorial on using your Silhouette or Cricut and a scroll saw to cut out shaped blanks that you could paint or stain. (Missed it? Read it here.) I’ve been meaning to add another, and today I finally got around to it!

In the first tutorial, I kept the scroll saw cuts super simple. This time, this tutorial features more difficult cuts – like cutting out the centers of text. You’ll also notice that I used a thicker wood – 1/2 inch select pine.

How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw

  1. Use your Silhouette or Cricut to cut a template from cardstock. I used the Hello Wedding font and the word Craft. After cutting your cardstock template, trace around it on your wood using a pencil. Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  2. Begin your scroll saw cuts and cut around the entire outside of your word or shape. Cutting with a scroll saw is much like using a sewing machine. As you complete more projects, you’ll get better at doing smooth rounded edges and corners. The one thing that helps me is to constantly keep my wood moving. (If you are curious, I don’t have a fancy scroll saw. Read more about it here.)Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  3. After you’ve cut around the outside of the design, drill holes into the insides of the text (these are called islands). Now, consult your scroll saw manual to find out how to remove the blade. On my scroll saw, I turn a knob which releases the tension in the blade and allows me to remove and rethread the blade through my drilled hole. Then, you’ll cut out all of the islands. Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  4. After you’ve cut your shape, sand down any rough edges. (Need tips for sanding? Head to this post.) I used my palm sander for the front, back, and edges and sandpaper for the islands and other nooks and crannies. Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  5. Stain or paint your wood word or shape. I used spray on stain (wood stain that comes in a spray paint can). This is the first project that I’ve used it and was happy with the results. Here’s the exact one I used. After staining and painting, your wood word is ready to add a hanger to the back and hang on the wall. I usually use screw in sawtooth hangers.
  6. I decided to mount my word onto a frame on made with some wood scraps laying around my garage. I used basic wood nails to nail everything together. Here’s a link to a tutorial on the blog if you’d like to make a frame, too. Oh! I painted the background white using this.
    Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Love this tutorial? Save the image below to Pinterest!

Tutorial: How to Cut Out Wood Words & Shapes Using a Scroll Saw and Your Silhouette Portrait or Cameo and Cricut Explore or Maker - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Landon

Tuesday 6th of October 2020

Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial.

Christine, Cutting for Business

Sunday 1st of November 2020

Hope you found it helpful!

Jeana

Sunday 26th of April 2020

What type of scroll saw do you have? I want to purchase to do wood craft shapes that I can paint and decorate.

Thank you!

Christine, Cutting for Business

Wednesday 6th of May 2020

It's listed in this post: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/scroll-saw-silhouette-cameo-or-cricut-wood-shape-tutorial/

Tracy

Wednesday 10th of April 2019

Thank you for the post. I have also done many projects like this. However instead of tracing the paper on the wood I use basting spray from the sewing department and the words or pictures peel off right after I am done with no sticky residue sand it and its awesome!! Just thought I'd leave my suggestion.

Christine, Cutting for Business

Saturday 18th of May 2019

Interesting! I'll have to try it!

Michelle

Thursday 15th of February 2018

I find it easier to cut the inside of the letter first...especially if you have single letters that aren't connected. Cutting the inside first gives you more wood to manage instead of a small letter. Your fingers aren't as close to the blades this way. Ultra Reverse blades from Flying Dutchman Scroll Saw Blades are awesome. Size 3 and 9.

Christine

Tuesday 20th of February 2018

Thanks for sharing!

Danna

Sunday 11th of February 2018

Thank you for the tutorial. My husband has a scroll saw and he gets frustrated when it comes time to do those cuttings. I'll have show this to him. As for me and any tool that has a blade, no thank you. I'm the type of person who would probably manage to cut off a limb no matter what part of my body it belongs to lol.

Christine

Wednesday 14th of February 2018

Danna, Did you know you can get cut proof gloves? They are meant for kitchens, but I use them with my scroll saw, too: http://amzn.to/2CkEPzG