Dog and Bunny Piles

[Sycamore67]

Iguanadon posted the Bear Pile pattern from Harvey Byler and it was really interesting.  I cut that one and and the Bunny pile and sent them to my Grandkids.  They really like them.  And then, Don in Brooklin did something interesting in making a couple of the Bears in the Bear pile taller so they stood out.  That was a very good idea and decided I needed to try it.  

I took some 3/4" Cherry and glued some 3/16" thick oak to the back of it.   I cut both the Dog Pile and the Bunny Pile.   After I cut a couple of pieces from each puzzle, I sent the remaining pieces through a drum sander and reduced the thickness of the rest of the pieces by about 1/8" and cut the rest of the pieces out.  I then rough shaped the the pieces using a Dremel tool .

After this I used strips of sandpaper to smooth out the rough cuts and bring out the details.  I use regular sandpaper with packing tape on the back and cut to narrow strips.  I also us cloth backed sandpaper.  

This is how the final puzzles look

 

 

I make trays for the puzzles from a 1/2" Piece of Baltic Birch on top with a cut out and 1/4" Baltic Birch on the back.  The trays make it easy for the Grandkids to put the puzzles away and not lose any pieces.  

[scrollerpete]

This is way above the rest, lot’s of time on our hand and we can create beautiful stuff. You have create something special.

[Sycamore67]

I feel fortunate to be able to build on what others have done.  The puzzle patterns were unique and the idea of making some parts taller were unique.

[dgman]

Those look great Larry, you did a great job!

[Denny Knappen]

That is more than a cut above.  Taking the projects to the next level.  WOW.

[Rockytime]

Outstanding! You made something special with something that was already unique. 

[spirithorse]

Nicely done! Thanks for sharing and God Bless! Spirithorse

[daveww1]

beautiful work

[wombatie]

They look amazing.  Great work.

Marg

[Dennisfm56]

A whole new level is barely enough to describe what you did. Maybe a drum sander might be my next toy.

[Wilson142]

Love the look. I've taken to easing all the edges on those type of puzzles also. I started totally by mistake. After cutting a puzzle with a very fine blade, I found that after adding some color and finish, it would no longer fit in the frame. I decided to try to save it by shaping the pieces on the drum sander and really liked the look. You've taken to another level by creating actual levels. Really nice job!

[Iguanadon]

Beautiful work, thanks for sharing... and for showing the rest of us up. 

[Charlie E]

Heirloom quality work! 

 

[Dragonkort]

simply fantastic!!!

[amazingkevin]

Something to be real proud of!!!