Help & Contact

Forge Support

Built by a scroller. Supported the same way. Whether it’s a question, a bug, or something that just felt off — there’s a real person on the other end of this page.

Common Questions

Before you reach out — check here first

Most questions come up early, when the workflow is still unfamiliar. These are the ones I hear most often from beta testers.

What does kerf actually mean, and why does RipSaw need it?
Kerf is the width of material your blade removes as it cuts. Every scroll saw blade has one. RipSaw uses your kerf measurement as a foundation for cut-line stroke width, bridge width rules, entry-hole output, and print scale. Set it once per project so the design stays consistent.
RipSaw detected an island. What do I do?
An island is part of a scroll saw pattern that is not connected to the surrounding wood. RipSaw highlights the problem so you can decide where a bridge belongs. The bridge is still your craft decision: placement, flow, and final appearance stay in your hands.
Can I change an entry hole if I picked the wrong spot?
Yes. Entry holes are there to mark where you intend to enter the blade. If a spot is not right, remove it and place it where it makes more sense inside the cutout. RipSaw keeps the marker with the project and includes it in scroll saw print output.
Can I trace over a photo I took myself?
That’s exactly what the reference image feature is for. Import a PNG, JPG, or JPEG and adjust the opacity so it sits behind your canvas like digital carbon paper. Trace what matters, ignore what doesn’t. Your pattern, your lines. The reference image does not export to PDF.
What’s a .forge file? Can I open it in anything else?
A .forge file is RipSaw’s native project format. It stores your project data such as shapes, kerf, board boundary, reference image data, bridges, entry holes, and material assignments. It is meant to reopen your work in RipSaw exactly where you left off.
My pattern is bigger than one sheet of paper. How does tiling work?
RipSaw can create print-ready PDF output at real-world scale. If the pattern needs more than one page, the export workflow is built to support larger shop patterns without asking you to redraw or resize the design by hand. Always print at 100% or Actual Size.
Does RipSaw work on Mac or Linux?
Right now, RipSaw is built for Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit). Mac and Linux support is on the roadmap, but I want to make sure the Windows version is solid before expanding. If you’re on a different OS, keep an eye on updates.
I’m a beta tester — what’s the best way to report something?
Use the form below. Choose “Bug Report” and describe what you were doing when it happened. Screenshots or a description of the steps helps a lot. I read every one, and I take them seriously. That’s not a line — it’s just how this works.
Get In Touch

Send a message

Whether it’s a bug, a question, or something that just felt off — I want to hear it.

Other Ways to Reach Me

Pick whatever’s comfortable

Some people prefer email. Some prefer Facebook. Either works. This isn’t a corporation — it’s just me at a desk, reading your message.

Email

RipSawScrollForge@gmail.com

Best for detailed questions, bug reports, or anything with attachments.

Facebook

facebook.com/berta.matera

Good for quick questions and community conversation.

Response Time

I read everything. Usually within a day or two. Longer if sawdust is involved.

Support is part of the build. If something isn’t working, or something could work better — that’s useful. Beta is about finding the edges before they matter.

Less computing. More scrolling.