Names Puzzles Finished

[dansnow]

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.

[Fab4]

Hi Dan:

Those look really good

I can see why someone would want them

Fab4

[Dan]

Those came out great! Now to save some $$ to buy more wood to make some for my grandkids.

[DWSUDEKUM]

Nicely done Dan.  Great idea for the knobs.  Thanks for sharing this with us.

 

 

DW

[Fish]

Great work. Thanks for sharing.

[newfie]

Nice cutting thanks for sharing

[wombatie]

Dan they look excellent.  Is there a knack to using food coloring?

 

Marg

[Lucky2]

Well done Dan, it's almost impossible to see where you drilled the entrance holes.

Len

[dansnow]

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.

[Gordster]

Nice work Dan, I have made a couple of these but didn't

add the pegs..good idea...thanks for food colour tip

[dansnow]

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.

[Young_Scroller]

those look really good! I might have to try out the food coloring idea, thanks for sharing

[wombatie]

Thanks Dan, appreciate that.

 

Marg

[amazingkevin]

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!

[merlin]

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***

[rdatelle]

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.

[dansnow]

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.

[bobscroll]

Really good work and helpful tips as well Dan! So Thank you for showing us your work!

Bob           

[rdatelle]

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.

[dansnow]

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.

[rdatelle]

Thanks Dan for the tips.