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[jobogu]

HI, My name is Joe and I have had my scroll saw (Dewalt 788) for just about a month. I also have a Jet midilathe and turn pens and just recently wands for my grandkids. Started that hobby after I retired 2 years ago.

 

I have a question about making puzzles on the scroll saw. I have tried gluing a picture to the board, coating with about 4 layers of mod podge, and then used Elmer's repositionable spray adhesive to attach the pattern to the mod podge. Terrible idea, the pattern will not separate from the mod podge without destroying the picture. I have considered putting the pattern on the bottom of the board but then I have to figure out a way to protect the picture from all the sliding around on the saw table. How have other people solved this problem? I don't feel comfortable trying to cut the puzzle pieces freehand just yet as I still have a lot of problems just following a line and keeping everything under control. Thanks in advance for any responses. I look forward to learning a lot from this forum.

[Clayton717]

Welcome to the village Joe. I have not done any puzzles yet, have been wanting to try one and would like to see the answers to your question.

[Dan]

Hi Joe. Welcome to the village. I've done a few jigsaw puzzles and didn't think I could do it freehand, but to my surprise, it's very easy. I've heard some folks use Modge Podge, but I have no experience with it. I use Krylon's Triple Thick Glaze. One coat gives a durable finish. I wouldn't try to glue a pattern on top of it though. To practice making puzzles, I glued some old Christmas cards to 1/4" plywood and started cutting. By the time I finished the first card, I felt very comfortable without a pattern. Give it a try. Most puzzle makers don't use patterns. Some use the picture to decide where to cut and turn out some great work.

 

BTW, I just started turning pens about 8 months ago. It's very addictive.

 

Good luck with your puzzles. Show us some pictures!

[Travis]

Hi Joe. Welcome to the Village. We're glad you found us. Scrolling is a great hobby. You'll be amazed what a simple tool can do.

 

For you puzzle pattern, try gluing your pattern on some cardboard. Cardboard from a cereal box works great. Trim the cardboard to the size of your picture. Then with Packing tape, tape the edges to your cutting. Here's a video that Steve Good demonstrates how to do this. He uses 1/8" ply instead of cardboard. You can try either one and see what works best for you.

 

 

Hope this helps! Enjoy the site. Jump in and have some fun.

[Firedkm]

Welcome to the Village Joe. There has been several ways already explained to you. Here is some more. If it is not a very big picture you can use rubber cement on the paper and stick right on top of the picture. Since you used modge podge this will not be a problem. The paper will peel right off. If you do have any residue left on the picture it will come off with an eraser. Just dont rub to hard.

 

Another way that I have not tried yet and want to is to use the removable adhesive paper from Sloans Woodshop.

I think this will work great. I am waiting for my order to arrive and will try it out!

[jobogu]

Thanks to everyone for the answers. I will be trying to cut a puzzle tomorrow by layering the pattern on cardboard. I am also going to try to find the Krylon triple thick glaze. The Mod Podge has to be thinned a lot or it drys in ridges. Will try to post some pictures if I'm successful.

[amazingkevin]

hi joe! clear coat your picture on the face side let dry,spray non water based glue on the back of the picture and the top of the wood .let dry ,then smooth the two together and saw away to remove the pattern spray mineral spirits on and peel away one at a time ,sometimes you can wipe them off!