dansnow Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I did one of these a little while ago for a friend to give as a Christmas present. A friend of hers saw it and ordered 3, one for her daughter and two as gifts. They are made from two layers of 1/2" baltic birch ply, colors are food coloring, then 3 layers clear lacquer. The letters are 4" high. Thanks for looking. Dave Monk, Lucky2, Fab4 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fab4 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Hi Dan: Those look really good I can see why someone would want them Fab4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Those came out great! Now to save some $$ to buy more wood to make some for my grandkids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Nicely done Dan. Great idea for the knobs. Thanks for sharing this with us. DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Great work. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfie Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Nice cutting thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Dan they look excellent. Is there a knack to using food coloring? Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Well done Dan, it's almost impossible to see where you drilled the entrance holes. Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansnow Posted January 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Wombatie, I mix the food coloring with denatured alcohol to the intensity I want. Then I make a 50/50 mix of shellac and denatured alcohol, and give the pieces a light coat before staining. It seals the wood a bit and helps minimize blotchy-ness. I use a light coat and make sure to wipe off excess. Letting it dry an hour or so and then adding a second coat really intensifies the color. I let them dry overnight and then put on 2-3 coats of clear lacquer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordster Posted January 13, 2016 Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Nice work Dan, I have made a couple of these but didn't add the pegs..good idea...thanks for food colour tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansnow Posted January 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2016 Thanks folks. I truly wish folks would listen when I answer their questions. A lady we know saw these and asked how long and how much if she ordered three. I told her how much and said it would take 2 weeks. She promptly then asks me if she can have them in 6 days!!! After I explained to her that with drying time and a minimum of 48 hours to let the lacquer top coat cure it was doubtful she said ok and went away. I may have lost a sale, but as you know, if you rush the sanding and finishing you get a crappy result. Plus I learned the hard way I don't even start a custom order until I have payment in hand so a couple days would be lost there waiting for paypal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young_Scroller Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 those look really good! I might have to try out the food coloring idea, thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Thanks Dan, appreciate that. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I did one of these a little while ago for a friend to give as a Christmas present. A friend of hers saw it and ordered 3, one for her daughter and two as gifts. They are made from two layers of 1/2" baltic birch ply, colors are food coloring, then 3 layers clear lacquer. The letters are 4" high. Thanks for looking. I did one of these a little while ago for a friend to give as a Christmas present. A friend of hers saw it and ordered 3, one for her daughter and two as gifts. They are made from two layers of 1/2" baltic birch ply, colors are food coloring, then 3 layers clear lacquer. The letters are 4" high. Thanks for looking. My kind of finish ,I've never tryed it but i'm sure it's what i'd like to work with,Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Very nice Dan, I can only find about 2 starting points that makes it a really good puzzle........... Shellac idea is good have to sea if I can find it locally down here................... ***Merlin*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdatelle Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Those came out great Dan. I love the food coloring idea. I'll have to writ that all down. Do you make your own patterns and can I do something like that with Steve Goods Pattern maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansnow Posted January 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 I make the patterns using the Word Art font. I print it at 72 and then blow it up to the 4" height I use. I then close the loops on letters like A< B< D> O R etc. Of course this means gluing the center pieces back in after the front and back are glued, but it makes the letters stronger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobscroll Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 Really good work and helpful tips as well Dan! So Thank you for showing us your work! Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdatelle Posted January 18, 2016 Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 Hi Dan. Another quick question on the puzzle pieces. Do you stain and lacquer the whole puzzle piece or just the front. I was wondering if it would make the pieces harder to get in. Thanks, Ralph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansnow Posted January 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 The whole thing is lacquered. I use an Olsen #5PGR blade to give a little more clearance between pieces and tray. I also use #220 sandpaper to radius the edges of the cutouts and letters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdatelle Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Thanks Dan for the tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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