Kingfisher

[FrankEV]

This is a H. Botas pattern that I slightly modified to suit a 11X14 panel.  The cut panel is 1/8" BB Plywood, left natural, affixed to a 1/4" Mahogny solid core plywood backer that was darkened with Minwax Mahogny stain to improve contrast.   Cutting was done with Pegas #0 and #1 spiral Blades.  The finished panel was finished with Clear Gloss Spray Lacquer.

The panel is set loose in a simple custom made poplar frame that was also stained with the same Minwax Mahogny stain and protected with Clear Gloss spray Polyurethane.

[daveww1]

beautiful job

[OzarkSawdust]

Awesome job Frank!! Nice choice of woods, and I really like the way you brought out the contrast. Poplar frame stained Mahogany...very nice, I'll have to try that combination. You did the whole thing with those evil spirals! Wow, I can never get the smooth lines with spirals...great job. 

[Scrappile]

WOW!  great job... 

[FrankEV]

3 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

Awesome job Frank!! Nice choice of woods, and I really like the way you brought out the contrast. Poplar frame stained Mahogany...very nice, I'll have to try that combination. You did the whole thing with those evil spirals! Wow, I can never get the smooth lines with spirals...great job. 

Thanks for the comments.  So JFYI:

Unlike Pine and most other wood, Poplar takes almost any color stain verey well because the grain is very uniform and has very little pitch/sap.  It also paints up well also.

I'm getting to a point that I do not like using regular straight cutting blades.  A lot of portrait work lends itself to the use of Spiral blades and cutting time is significantly reduced using them.   A lot of practice is the key.  For longer straight or curved cuts it is definately dificult to get a smooth cut with a spiral blade, but I have found if I tend to err on the waste side of the line, I can clean the cut up using a shaving action that is possible with a spiral blade. I actually find this technique is often more forgiving than when using a straight cutting blade for similar cuts.

[dgman]

Great looking project Frank! I love the Mahogany backer. I’ve cut many portraits with a natural wood backer. To me, it looks more natural than a painted backer.

[OzarkSawdust]

3 hours ago, FrankEV said:

Thanks for the comments.  So JFYI:

Unlike Pine and most other wood, Poplar takes almost any color stain verey well because the grain is very uniform and has very little pitch/sap.  It also paints up well also.

I'm getting to a point that I do not like using regular straight cutting blades.  A lot of portrait work lends itself to the use of Spiral blades and cutting time is significantly reduced using them.   A lot of practice is the key.  For longer straight or curved cuts it is definately dificult to get a smooth cut with a spiral blade, but I have found if I tend to err on the waste side of the line, I can clean the cut up using a shaving action that is possible with a spiral blade. I actually find this technique is often more forgiving than when using a straight cutting blade for similar cuts.

I've been painting my Poplar frames mostly. But I think I'll try the Mahogany stain on one real soon.

I just need to use a smaller pattern that I don't care if it comes out and practice with the spirals. I'm sure I have #1s and may have some 0s also.

[Rockytime]

Very nice work. I like it!

[Foxfold]

Must admit I tried this pattern when my saw was out of action, but seeing yours I think I may have to try it on my saw. I did this one with my router but it pales into insignificance compared to a 'good' cut piece.. 

[smayne]

awesome job. 

[Dragonkort]

fantastic!!  i use both regular and spiral blades....like you said it just takes pratice. 

[wombatie]

Fabulous.  You did a terrific job.

Marg

[Charlie E]

Great looking piece. I love Kingfishers. My Father-in-law hates them as they steal fish from his pond.  

[amazingkevin]

On 12/1/2020 at 12:34 PM, FrankEV said:

Thanks for the comments.  So JFYI:

Unlike Pine and most other wood, Poplar takes almost any color stain verey well because the grain is very uniform and has very little pitch/sap.  It also paints up well also.

I'm getting to a point that I do not like using regular straight cutting blades.  A lot of portrait work lends itself to the use of Spiral blades and cutting time is significantly reduced using them.   A lot of practice is the key.  For longer straight or curved cuts it is definately dificult to get a smooth cut with a spiral blade, but I have found if I tend to err on the waste side of the line, I can clean the cut up using a shaving action that is possible with a spiral blade. I actually find this technique is often more forgiving than when using a straight cutting blade for similar cuts.

I don't like to shave if possible but it happens. Just today the blade was way to thin and wanted to wander so rather than shave or do it twice i uped the blade size!