What do you use for a backer?

[LarryEA]

I usually use thin lauan (plywood) as a backer for my scroll work. The backer is usually painted black

to give a background color. The color is not always black, just mostly.

I recently saw an advertisement for a "Peel and Stick" wallpaper and thought that it might be nice to

use the  Peel and Stick  instead of paint on the lauan. Maybe even contact paper.

Do you glue a backer on some of your scroll work and do you paint it or do something else?

Maybe something outdoorsy for birds and animals..

[jerrye]

Less variations in patterns and colors, but I wonder if peel & stick tiles would be a good option? Many have surface variation, adding a little depth to the backer.

Another option might be scrapbook paper as found in Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or Joann's. There are tons of options with these.

Edited March 12, 2020 by jerrye

[Bill WIlson]

I've never tried anything like that, but I would worry that patterned backers like that might be too busy and distract the eye from the actual scrolled piece in front if it.

[LarryEA]

May not be a good idea because attaching the backer might be a problem.

[fredfret]

I agree with Bill the pattern MAY interfere with the fretwork. I feel the same about people who cut intricate patterns into highly figured wood. The wood detracts from the cutting and the cutting from the wood.just my 2cents 

[kmmcrafts]

I agree with the others that say the background might be too busy and interfere with the actual cutting..

Years ago I had a large amount of spalted maple given to me. beautiful wood and i couldn't wait to make some stuff with it.. I quickly learned that the stuff is not very good to use for fretwork type cuttings because beautiful dark streaks of the grain would drastically distract from the cutting.. and many times would blend into the cut.. especially if using a dark backer behind the piece.. Needles to say.. It's been 8 years ago that I got the spalted maple... and I still have most of it left because I just don't seem to do many projects where I can make use of the unique grain of the stuff.. Thought many times about just getting rid of it...

[crupiea]

I use baltic birch.  It takes the paint nicely.  I used to use luan but noticed that it would starts to detach after a while.  Just went with the bb. Its more expensive but it wont ruin the piece.

I have also used foam board for larger pieces to save weight and money,  

[Denny Knappen]

As a framer, we have scrap mat board of many different colors.  Works great as a backer.

[Bill WIlson]

I've used mat board and heavy poster board.  I've also used 1/16" BB veneer that I found at Michael's.  It really depends on how the piece is to be put together.  If the piece is to be confined within a frame, there may be less need to attach the backer to the cutting.  This is where I might use mat board or poster board.  If I want\need a secure glue bond between the cutting and the backer, I stick with BB ply.

[Roberta Moreton]

I have tried many things, solid black wood grain contact paper, paint, Danish Oil on cardboard, luan, and Baltic birch. Now I just paint a piece of 1/8” Baltic birch and use that. 

[Ron Johnson]

I use black foam (from Michaels) . Most of my portraits are framed so foam works well for me, just cut to size and no glue needed. The ones that are not framed I use BB air brushed to desired color.  

Edited March 13, 2020 by Ron Johnson

[Rolf]

My backers are very much project dependent. I want them to enhance my project not detract. For fretwork, I spend a lot of time cutting lots of details and I certainly don't want them to be lost in busy grain or background. This Jeff Zaffino design was my first intricate fretwork cut in 2006. I selected the plywood for the grain in the sky area and the plain black backer shows off all my work.  When it comes to Intarsia, anything is fair game as long as I feel it enhances what I am trying to do.  Lots of intarsia has no exposed backers except for the wall it hangs on. For my most recent piece I used a copy of the painting that it was based on, for the sky and water.  So the bottom line is do what you feel shows off your work best for you. One other thing to consider make sure that you can glue your piece to it or if it is not framed.

Edited March 13, 2020 by Rolf

[lawson56]

I use 1/4 lauan painted black,unless the customer wants something different.

[WayneMahler]

I've been using either luan  or BB with felt glued to it. Normally black but depending on the piece that can be changed to a different color. I have also used the American Flag for certain pieces. 

[OCtoolguy]

On 3/13/2020 at 7:42 AM, Rolf said:

My backers are very much project dependent. I want them to enhance my project not detract. For fretwork, I spend a lot of time cutting lots of details and I certainly don't want them to be lost in busy grain or background. This Jeff Zaffino design was my first intricate fretwork cut in 2006. I selected the plywood for the grain in the sky area and the plain black backer shows off all my work.  When it comes to Intarsia, anything is fair game as long as I feel it enhances what I am trying to do.  Lots of intarsia has no exposed backers except for the wall it hangs on. For my most recent piece I used a copy of the painting that it was based on, for the sky and water.  So the bottom line is do what you feel shows off your work best for you. One other thing to consider make sure that you can glue your piece to it or if it is not framed.

Rolf, you are amazing. I love that train but the boat is fantastic. I really love it. And using the actual picture as the background is pure genius.

 

[LarryEA]

Steve Good's March 14 pattern has a super backer. 

A color backer with pines, blue ske and clouds. An excellent example of a backer.

[Rolf]

Ray, thanks for the kind comments.

The train was the first time that I entered a piece in our clubs annual wood show for judging. We had a guest judge that year, Wes Demarest, he was the photographer for Creative Woodworks and Crafts magazine.The magazine was where I found the pattern. It won my first first place ribbon. So it has a lot of meaning for me. 

I actually made it as a gift for my brother in law who is a serious train buff.

Edited March 15, 2020 by Rolf

[Sparkey]

I use black paper. I use spray glue on the back of the piece and then add a few staples to make sure it stays.

 

[Scrappile]

I have done a lot of pictures and have used flat black poster board on most.  I spray the back of the picture like Rusty, but I have never thought of the staples.  No matter I have never had one fail...

I am trying some felt on the military emblems, like my avatar.  Not sure what glue work but I used Weldbond and TItebond Thick and Tacky.  Well see how it works.