re: Dome Clock

[greasemonkeyredneck]

Travis wrote in "Bragging Rights", : You really have a knack for clocks, that's for sure. The ones you posted in the gallery are beautiful! So, I guess the big question is, when are you going to tackle the dome clock? I've always wanted to try my hand at clocks, but I tend to have a short attention span. One of these days, though. I think Wildwood has a Santa's Workshop wall clock that I have my eye on.

 

 

I don't know about the "Dome Clock". While it would be a very challenging clock, it just doesn't "catch my eye". I have people all the time suggest I do this project or that one. A project has to catch my eye though. If I'm not "feeling it", then I just don't do it. It's a hobby for me and I have learned that whatever I'm working on has to have my full attention at the time or I'll never finish it.

A good example if you read my blog is the Rocking Chair and Cradle Combo. Everyone kept suggesting rocking chairs. I chose that particular chair because it was different and "caught my eye" I still have yet to this day build a regular rocking chair. And though I am asked about them frequently, I have no desire to build one anytime in the near future.

Who knows? Sometime in the future, the Dome Clock may grow on me. I'll let you know if that happens. I search about a dozen sites on a regular basis looking at different available patterns. I do use free ones from time to time. I usually use pay patterns though. When I do use a free pattern, as soon as I sell the project, when possible, I compensate the designer for their hard work. I try to do that because I think the designers work is just amazing. I couldn't keep up my hobby without them. I can cut, but I can't draw a straight line without a ruler.

All that being said, I'm ordering some patters from Wildwood today. I think I'm going to do the Renaissance Chandelier and the Elegant Candelebra. I'm also eying all the bud vases. If you want to see, go to Wildwood website in their catalog. All that is on page 31. I love the fretwork and just decided I want to do something fancy besides clocks.

[Vector01]

Yep...The desire to do the piece is half the battle. Trying new designs is fun and great practice. I've done a few commissioned pieces (pyrography) and found it goes from fun to a chore real quick. As far as patterns...I've found Inkscape and GIMP to be great for creating your own patterns (free software). Travis has some great tutorials to get you started.

 

Have Fun!

[Travis]

LOL...I think most people make the dome clock just to say they did...LOL That clock is massive and I would have no idea where to put it. But it certainly is impressive.

 

You might already know of this site, but Pedro from Fine Scroll Saw has a lot of great restorations of vintage patterns. There might be something that catches your eye there. Lots of neat patterns.

[greasemonkeyredneck]

Yea, Travis. I've admired Pedro's patterns for some time now. I've got a few saved on my computer. Unfortunately, most of his better plans have to be saved in PDF form and taken to a decent printer who can handle it. At the present time, there isn't a local print shop here that is up to the task. They told me that by the end of the summer they are upgrading some of their equipment and will be able to do it for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and waiting. Untill then, I have to deal with what I can print on my small home printer or buy plans. He has a few plans for sale there, but I've been a little iffy about ordering and pricing with the Dollar to Euro exchange. If anyone has had any experience buying plans from foreign sources in this way, I'd appreciate any input.

[Christina]

FYI............you can open .pdf files in Paint Shop Pro and in GIMP both. I do this to save on printing with Steve Good's patterns...........works great. You can choose your size, resolution everything..............just drag your .pdf file and drop it into either one. And then print.

 

Here's a screen shot of the box that opens when you drop it in PSP.

 

 

And here's a screen shot of the box that opens when you drop it in GIMP.

 

 

Christina

[Travis]

Good tip, Christina. I do the same thing, but with Photoshop. Works really well if you need to modify a PDF to fit your own needs.

[greasemonkeyredneck]

Thanks. I'll try to work with it, but I've got major problems dealing with anything bigger than 8.5 x 11. I've got about six different graphics programs on my computer. On several of them, I can get my computer to show a bigger pattern split into sections, something always goes wrong though between the computer and the printer. Now I'll admit that I'm basically computer illiterate, but I'm trying to learn. I found at one time a video tutorial about printing larger pattern out using inkscape. somehow though I lost the link and haven't been able to find ot since. Any help finding that link or another would be a great help.

[blame]

here ya go William

 

http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/ssg/2009/04/printing-oversized-patterns-with-inkscape/