Cutting wooden shapes

I did some researching and its makes sense to use a dremal as the tool. Home Depot sells them.

If the wood is thin, a scroll saw.

I use a scroll saw. Also I have a Brothers Scan and Cut that cuts thin wood.

I have a wood working shop and when I want to cut our shapes out of wood I use a scroll saw. The best kind to get is one with adjustable speed. Try Sears. They also have the blades you will need. I taught myself how to use one about 25 years ago and love using them.

I used to do craft shows & used a band saw & a scroll saw to cut out small shapes. Easy, just don't push on the blade with the wood, getting anxious.

I learned to cut shapes with the jig saw when I was a Girl Scout eons ago. A jig saw really is not all that hard to control, just take your time and allow yourself some scrap wood to practice with so you can learn to use the tool. Once you learn how to handle it, you'll wonder why you ever let anyone ever try to tell you that you couldn't do it. Good Luck To you!! :)

I too use a scroll saw! Love it!

My husband always used a router for this job.

I bet you'll do fine! I've used scroll and jig. Not hard, just take your time. You'll show that son-in-law, lol!

Make sure it's a good quality jigsaw and you use the correct blade. You need a finer blade for thinner wood and also for lots of turns and curves in the shape. Tell your son-in-law that women can be woodworkers, too!

I love my jig saw! You will too, once you get used to it! Practice and the right blade, like others have said.

It depends on the size of the jig saw Charlotte. My hubby bought a new honkin' big one that was too big for me to handle so we found a smaller one that I can easily control without my hand and arm wearing out too quickly. We also have a band saw in our wood work shop that I like to use. It takes more patients as you have to move the wood very slowly or you'll go on in a direction you don't want to go. I have a Variable Speed Dremel, but gosh that thing still moves way too fast for me to keep up with. I bought the handle held extension for it, but have not taken the time to practice on it. With all that said, if your jig saw is a smaller one, play with it using scrap or inexpensive wood until you feel comfortable with. It's a skill you can learn. Just take it slow at first. If you have share inside or outside corner cuts to make, don't expect to be able to do them in one sweep. Stop the saw, remove it from between the wood you've just cut and start from a different angle better suited for the next cut.

I decided there had to be a video out there that showed what I just explained. And of course there was. This is an excellent short video filled with great information. You can find more jigsaw tutorials at this link. Just scroll down a bit. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/info/0,,20646363,00.html

For me, the jigsaw is just too heavy, wild & cumbersome. I'm almost 70. Intricate, detailed cuts are easy with the scroll & band saws. You don't have to lift a heavy piece of machinery. Good luck.