Sycamore67 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 This is a puzzle cut from a design by Judy Peterson. It was cut from 1/2" poplar. Because poplar is a soft and porous wood, I used a sanding sealer on it first. The flames and the bottom were colored using a red dye -- Arti Brand from Highland Woodworking. I had tried using various other types of dyes but these provide a brilliant color and better than any other types that I have tried. The top part has a light wash of a pearl white color and then all the pieces were given a light coat of lacquer. I do not know if I want to work with poplar again for this type of project. It tends to raise the grain at every step of the process which required careful sanding of the pieces so they fit and to avoid sanding to much and have too loose of a fit. amazingkevin, leshko, bobscroll and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Very good Larry, looks great. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfie Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 That's cool Larry thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Wow!......Excellent fit and finish ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangeman Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Yes, poplar is a problem with grain raising. It is also tends to break easily because it is so soft. Try 3/4" soft maple next time. I use food coloring for all my puzzles and was amazed at th brillance. Check out my website; all the colored puzzles were made with food coloring and then coated with lacquer. amazingkevin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penquin Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Larry, that is super. Love the color contrast. Looks great. jim penquin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Very nice. I like the pattern and you did a great job. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMHN Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 That came out great. I bought a couple of her books and have the one with that pattern in it. Its on my to do list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 That's wonderful friend, you done good................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Very nicely done Larry. Thanks for sharing this with us. DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 that is nice cutting and the colors make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Great puzzle Larry, I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Nice puzzle it really pops. I've had good luck with poplar, although I've only used it for a couple of scroll saw projects. But I'd offer a couple of suggestions. Before cutting and applying the pattern: 1. sand with 100 or 150 (whatever you normally start with); 2. clean off dust and wipe with a damp rag to raise the grain; 3. sand again; seal with a thin coat of blond shellac; 4. follow you normal steps for cutting a puzzle. Whenever I can I try to finish first. When I made my kitchen cabinets I applied 3 coats of a finish to the 4' x 8' sheets of birch pw I was making the cases from and I stained and varnished the door parts before assembly. Just a suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Yes, poplar is a problem with grain raising. It is also tends to break easily because it is so soft. Try 3/4" soft maple next time. I use food coloring for all my puzzles and was amazed at th brillance. Check out my website; all the colored puzzles were made with food coloring and then coated with lacquer. Thanks for the tip i want to try food coloring bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 This is a puzzle cut from a design by Judy Peterson. It was cut from 1/2" poplar. Because poplar is a soft and porous wood, I used a sanding sealer on it first. The flames and the bottom were colored using a red dye -- Arti Brand from Highland Woodworking. I had tried using various other types of dyes but these provide a brilliant color and better than any other types that I have tried. The top part has a light wash of a pearl white color and then all the pieces were given a light coat of lacquer. I do not know if I want to work with poplar again for this type of project. It tends to raise the grain at every step of the process which required careful sanding of the pieces so they fit and to avoid sanding to much and have too loose of a fit. 20151030_Phoenix 1 S.jpg Beautiful work, I ate it too about the grain raising ,try oil base next time if they even have it! Good job sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted October 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 The reason I used poplar was that I needed a wide piece in 1/2" thickness. I will be cutting the same puzzle in 3/4" maple as a stand up puzzle next. I wanted to try cutting the tight curves on poplar before going to the maple which will be more difficult due to hardness and thickness. Judy Peterson designs her puzzles as stand up ones. I took a class from her and it was very good and interesting. She is a great person. A lot of suggestions about finishing and staining. I did not pre finish the blank because I was more worried about the edges than the surface as the edges need to be clean for the pieces to fit well. If I used an oil based finish or shellac before staining I was concerned about getting a bright red stain. I did try several of these and got the brightest red using a sanding sealer before the dye. When I cut it from maple, I will not need the sanding sealer. On the subject of staining. I have been trying various types such as dyes, water colors, food dyes, oil stains and acrylic paint based. Each gives slightly different results and the choice is up to each person. Thanks for all the suggestions. I have found for me that trying various combinations of finishing schedules allows me to figure out what works best in my circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangeman Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 The best blade I have found for cutting puzzles from hard woods is the Pegas Modified Geometry Blades; #3, #5, and #7. Beats the socks out of any other blade I have tried and I have tried most all of them. Sycamore67 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankorona Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Wonderful work, is a big idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted October 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Thank you Orangeman for the suggestion. I looked those blades up and they are a reverse tooth blade with teeth set to cut a wider kerf. This would allow them to cut faster. I will have to try some. I will have to find out if the wider kerf gives a good puzzle piece fit or if it is too loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobscroll Posted November 1, 2015 Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 Very neat scrolling Larry, Thank you for showing, Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 That is so cool. The red really pops. I gave up on poplar for the same reason. Great work Larry Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carole Hutchins Posted December 27, 2023 Report Share Posted December 27, 2023 Hi. I bought 8 of these several years ago and would like to buy 8 more. Are you still making these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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