Havinago Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Sorry for so many posts... I mainly use the search forum feature to find the answers to my questions but this one does not seem to be covered... In a few months there is an anual show day and public show day holiday.... The show has sections for horses, dogs, pottery, photography, and much more and one of the sections is wood work and a sub section for scroll saw work... I have noticed they have an amature section and thought I would like to enter something in this section... (not that I feel I am at a level that I would win but just for the fuzzy feeling of having entered) I can not really find any rules for the competition other than not to print your name or sign the work and that an entry ticket must be attatched and that the item must have been crafted within the last 12 months and is an original work and the type of timber used listed on the entry ticket... I know that each show will have different rules but am after a general guide.... 1) is MDF generally ok to be used as a material for woodworking scroll saw competitions? 2) is it generally ok to have the item painted? ie say I made something from 3mm ply could I then paint the whole item black or white? or do competitions usualy want the item in clear varnish/stains? I am sorry if these questions seem dopey but I am quite keen to have a go at this and see something I have made on exhibit at the show.... I am aware that most shows have different criteria etc but know from photography that there is generally a universal standard to what is acceptable and what is not... Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dust Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Over the years I have entered often in our county fair shows. Have gotten many 1st place as well as best of class awards. (I think because there are different class categories based on age and there are no other entries in my 'ol' fart age group.) Never the less, read the rules and if you can find another scroller who has entered before he would be your best adviser from experience. In any case, Just Go For It and have fun. John Old Dust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfmoonCT Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 I don't think I've ever heard of anyone really using MDF as a material. But yes, you could paint it if you want to. I would think that MDF being mostly a resin to bond the material, would tend to dull the blades quicker, and may not produce as clean of a cut line as real wood or even a ply. I've not seen or entered any shows though, to really say if painted stuff is generally not accepted. I prefer to just clear coat my wood. I only use ply for the backer board of my projects. I have yet to make any project just from Ply.. though I have thought about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havinago Posted April 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks for the input guys Old Dust the rules don't really tell me anything... I am also new to where I live as I moved interstate and don't even know a single soul in the place let alone somone who scroll saws or enters the show :( WolfmoonCT the very first material I cut was 3mm MDF and it is what I used to make the rabit and micky mouse that I posted the other day... Unfortunatly due to living in the sticks (rural area) I am very limited in the materials I have available to me... A certain hardware store does stock some ply but more construction ply than Baltic Birch Ply.... Infact the nearest place I can get Baltic Birch from is over 6 hours away and would be a 12 hour round trip :( I was thinking of entering a portrait in the show and was thinking of using the 3mm MDF as I don't really know what else I could use that I have access too, If anyone has any suggestions they would be more than welcome.. Due to the thought of using 3mm MDF I was thinking that I would probably have to paint it as I dont think clear coat over MDF is going to work out well for presentation?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfmoonCT Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 A clear coat no. But painted, it should prob be fine. Just have fun with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havinago Posted April 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Thanks again wolfmoon.... And as long as I have the saw turned on it is guaranteed that I will have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dust Posted April 22, 2012 Report Share Posted April 22, 2012 Suggest you check out Sloan's Workshop websight to have good scroll saw wood shipped to you. Another site is www.wooddealsonline.com John Old Dust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 There's nothing wrong with MDF. It cuts really nice. I've used it in a few pieces myself. The wood isn't what many people consider pretty, but certainly in certain circumstances it looks really nice.. It just depends on how you like it when it's cut and finished. (Be sure to wear a dusk mask when cutting MDF, though. It has a lot of toxic resins and fine powder that can cause health issues). One thing you can do to dress it up is paint it before hand, then cut it. That way you have a nice color and texture on the surface, and the sides shows through as dark, which really adds a lot to the contrast and makes the details pop. You can paint it a flat color, or if you are a little more daring, you can sponge on some color. Start with a background color and paint the wood in that flat color. Then with different color, dip your sponge into the paint, dab it a few times on paper towel, then dab it onto the wood. It creates a lot of character to the wood. Use light colors if doing a portrait so the shadow (holes and the sides of the MDF) have a lot of contrast. Check YouTube out for more faux painting techniques for more ideas. You can also decoupage some material on the wood before cutting. Paint the wood a base color, then with white school glue (the type that dries clear...like Elmer's), glue on pieces of paper. I like using tissue paper. Make sure you rip the paper instead of cutting. Check out some of the work from realFez. He does a lot of work in MDF and he does some really nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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