A Pair of Eagles

[FrankEV]

 

I suspect these Eagle plaques have been done by others herein many times.

The patterns are by Charles Dearing and were obtained from Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts at ScrollSawer.com.  It is a two pattern set including the Soaring and Diving Eagle.  I reduced the size of the Soaring Eagle pattern about 10% so the cut would fit an 11”x14” panel.  The Diving Eagle fit on the 11”x14” panel without any modification.

It was recommended to use 1/8” thick BB, but I chose use 5/32“ thick solid core Maple plywood for the top layer and also used 5/32” thick solid core Walnut Plywood as a backer stained darker with  Walnut stain.  I think the color contrast works well.

I mounted the panels in rather expensive pre-made frames I got at Hobby Lobby.  The Panels arefit  loose in the frames and held in place with framing points.       

This was my first attempt at using exclusively spiral blades.  The patterns lent themselves to the use of spiral blades since there are no straight lines and “feathers” are not that neat anyway.  I used #2/0 and #0 Sharktooth blades.  I did surprise myself though,  finding I was able to follow the pattern lines fairly well after just a short learning curve, first on scrap wood and then on the panels themselves.   I did break a lot of blades in the beginning, but they lasted longer toward the end of the cutting session.  I was learning just how much pressure I needed to apply to move the piece without breaking the blade.

I also learned that when the wood starts to lift while cutting and you want to stop…you got to lift your foot off the foot switch.  But that’s another story.  

 

 

The frame sizes are identical.

Edited August 24, 2020 by FrankEV

[amazingkevin]

Thanks for bringing back early scroll saw days,lol. I,LL bet you love spirals now. Great learning wish I could do dome likcurve you found! Highly saleable projects your showing us. Frank, you just keep producing great work like this and I,LL sit back and wish I could do work like this with a spiral.

Edited August 24, 2020 by amazingkevin
Spelling

[dgman]

Excellent work on both Frank! I’ve been scrolling for 25 years and have never used a foot switch. I’m constantly moving my feet around from the chair footrest to the cross bar on the saw stand and the floor. Trying to keep my foot on a switch is just not feasible for me. But since I have never used one, I don’t miss it. 

[rjR]

Very nice pair of HIGH FLYERS!

 

I agree with dgman ; I have a brand new foot switch  that came with my saw. I do a lot of cutting either standing or on a high stool, so have never even tried to use a  foot switch.

 

My scroll work started in 1953, I do still have that saw too. 

[Tomanydogs]

Nice job on cutting the eagles Frank. I’m glad you were successful with the spiral blades. I use spiral blades exclusively. I truly wish I could use straight blades better. I guess more practice is needed for me to be successful. 

[FrankEV]

I like the foot switch.  I have a high stool and short legs so I made a raised support for the switch.  Instant on and off is easier with a foot switch than trying to find the small togggle switch on the saw.  I tend to stop the saw whenever I have to reposition or rotate the work.  Also, you can stop cutting REAL quick if when the blade starts to lift the work that is not held down well (Ask me how I know).  If you have one try it, you just might find you like it.

I regard to sprial blades. I find the cut/kerf is very wide even when using the 2/0.  For fine details that have straignt lines, or lines that intersect at a sharp inside or ouside point, I prefer to use a straight blade.  Long curves are also neater with a straight blade for me. 

I will be practicing more with spiral baldes as time goes by.  I was happy how these patterns came out and, even though I did follow the lines fairly well, when you look closely at the cut it is not smooth.  I guess you never see it if you don't look real close.  I have frequently used the phrase for many things I have made or built: "You will never see it from Brooklyn".    

Edited August 24, 2020 by FrankEV

[meflick]

Nice work Frank. I think I tried spirals once. Was not good. I think it was early when I was just starting to scroll. I think I had problems controlling them. I have also heard they can break a lot. On the list to try again someday. I do use a foot switch. I started out with one so like most things, I think if you learn with one early, it’s easier then of you scrolled for a while, got used to that and then tried. I have found that is true with many things we learn to do in life. I have an older Excalibur who’s really old foot switch went out the other day. I tried to saw without it. Couldn’t do it. Fortunately I have two saws so swiped the foot pedal off the other one. I know there is an extra one hidden somewhere in the shop, as I had bought one for hubby to use on something but he never did. Just need to find it. Apparently he isn’t sure where it is either.

[Rockytime]

Very nice cutting! Nicely framed too.

[daveww1]

very nice work

[TDpainter]

Great Job I Love eagles than ks for sharing this with us.

 

Travis.