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The pattern is by Joleet, thank you so much Ron. It was a gift for a ladies daughter and now her 2 daughters want one, wish I had ESP I would have stack cut the 3 when I was doing the one. It is cut from 2.5mm bamboo with 2/0 reverse tooth Olsen blades and there are 75 cuts. Marg

The pattern is by Sue Mey and found in SWWC Winter 2017 issue #69. I used 3/4" plywood stained walnut for the backing. The stable is 3/4" quarter sawn Sycamore. The figures are 3/4" Flame Maple, which I didn't know until the finish was applied. The animal are 3/4" Walnut. This was a fun project to complete. I used FD Polar #5 blades and finished with spray Shellac. Comments welcome.

I decided to try doing fretwork. I used Steve Good's pattern. This is my first time ever trying this. My wife wanted a remote control holder. She liked the grey (not me) but as they say " A happy wife a happy life" I used 1/4" Birch plywood and a #3 blade for the bigger cuts and #1 for the fine cuts.

I just received another request for a "2nd Amendment" plaque for $125. This will be the third one I have sold, fourth one I have made. I also received a request to make one and donate it to an upcoming "Friends of the NRA" banquet for their auction. That could bring in more sales. It's a high for the money, but a low because I really didn't want to make anymore of them.

Someone asked for something Iron Maiden so came up with this for them I will let them have the pick of either as I stack cut 2 out of 5.5 ply frame is frame reclaimed materials cut with #3 Pegas Modified

I have a system for used blades. I remove them from the saw, and place them on a counter next to the saw. I know I will remember what they are and then I immediately forget. If you were to come to my workshop, you would see a pile of used blades sitting by my saw, that I know I will someday figure out what they are. That's my system, has worked for me for a long time.

Highs: Meeting Hawkeye at his shop, meeting a small group of local Scroll Saw artist at Sloans, meeting fellow scrollers at the Atlanta Woodworking show, then meeting Denny and Fibber at Art Crafters High: Giving a Navy Emblem to a retired Navy security guard where I work. I got an emotional response I did not expect. Highs: Those first few moments of cutting with a fresh blade. Highs: Finishing my first puzzle box and scroll saw dovetail box. Highs: The highest tool related high was receiving the EX because it was my first premium saw, and it was an awesome improvement to what I had been using. All the rest of the decent saws I've gotten since have been high spots. Highs: Getting through the "Two Horses" coin the first time. This one gave me the confidence to continue. Then getting the inlay coins to work as I felt that was something completely new to that sector. I think anytime I try something that I'm uncertain that I will be able to do, there is a high with success, and a bit of a low if the idea doesn't pan out. Lows: Making something out of Spalted Maple, and have it crumble at the end. Lows: Coin prep.

Sounds like a nice order to do.. I do know the feeling of not really wanting to cut something again.. so I feel for you on that aspect.. I have a couple companies I do ornaments for every year.. last year they wanted 300 ornaments that had a piece of heavy equipment on it with the companies name.. The first 100 or so wasn't too bad... but man... I tell you.. I was sure glad to cut that last stack of them.. felt like I was never going to get them done.. Nice fat wallet on that job though...

Congrats Paul. Always nice to get bigger orders. I can understand the "low" as it is a lot of cutting but then we all love what we do

A Big Congrats Paul.I know how ya feel about not wanting to cut certain plaques.I have one that I don't like cutting.So I came to a decision to retire it.

That's how Mrs. Iggy describes me... But take a look at this... I thought it was cute and will make a few for my upcoming shows. And I'm including the pattern, it was a freebie from a friend. Iggy Nativity.pdf

Seen this saw on craiglist last night.. been talking to the guy and it looks as though we have made a deal... Just in case he takes this down.. its a new in sealed box EX-21 for $360.. Now.. if anyone local on here might be interested in a Hawk or Two let me know.. I don't need all these saws.. and it's time I unload some.. Hate to send my 226 ultra down the road but.. I have run a EX on a test run years ago and it cut just like my DeWalt does.. maybe a little smoother... been a while.. anyway I feel the EX will be able to cut as aggressive and work much like my 788 does.. My Hawks are both awesome working saws.. they just don't cut as fast as my 788.. and I'm thinkin I'll like/use the EX more than that of the Hawks.. https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/d/new-excalibur-120-volt-21-in/6376740275.html

Found a good find at the closest menards to me it’s not Baltic birch but Russian birch about 1/2” thick 20”x20” for $2 plus some other shop supplies. I was after 1/4” but for silhouette ornaments for the kids to paint and give out to the family it’ll work for me

I'll get through it. Gotta pay off my Fein dust extractor! I really don't mind the cutting but the way I like to mount this one it takes a lot of steps to do. Lot of finish work. It is 5 separate pieces with 5 separate backers and them they all have to fit together..Just a pain. Thanks for the nice comments encouragement. I have got to get busy.

Finished cutting a pattern and a backing board and then glue up the wrong side and stick on with fast setting glue. Oh She-ite Roly

Paul, I've learned a long time ago, that if it's something I don't really want to cut, it's work and no longer a hobby. That is why I quit selling things, to many people were requesting things I didn't enjoy cutting. It got to the point that it was more like a job then an enjoyable hobby, and I didn't want to ruin the enjoyment I got out of the hobby part of scrolling. I had people coming to the house and phoning me at all hours of the day, they thought I had most items cut in advance. People were bold enough to show up at 11:00 p.m. I was getting tired of that, and with the impatience of others. It had taken me far to long to find a woodworking hobby that I enjoyed doing, and scrolling was it. I'm disabled and I'm in constant pain, no matter what I do causes me much more pain. Any type of movement hurts, and scrolling distracts my mind from the pain. It is/was my saving grace, and it has helped me control my feelings of being so useless. That is why I gave up on selling things, but, I was in the position where I could give up on the extra money. There is some people who need every cent they can get from selling their wares, and I am happy that they can raise some extra funds from scrolling. Len

Open the box before you pay. I know a guy who was selling sealed in box flatscreens when you got home you find you purchased a piece of plywood sealed in a box. Lol

This is what I am thankful for. I'm the luckiest SOB in the world when it comes to family. A Steve Good pattern. Poplar with Minwax Wipe-on Poly.

Consider using 1/8" ply. The edges aren't as noticeable. Depending on the pattern, I actually prefer to use 1/8" for many things.

Found a piece of pine 3/4 " thick with no knots .

I was watching a show that I love to watch and is called Handcrafted in America. On there was a gentleman that makes watches by hand. It showed a quick glimpse into what he goes through to make all the components and painstaking labor to put it together and work flawlessly. The (pun) time and effort is tedious to say the least. It got me thinking of what we do here and that is scrolling. Even if you are relatively new at it or an old timer such as myself there always are those highs and lows that come with the artform. The longer you do it the more of these you get to be part of. I thought it would be fun to list some of these highs and lows and I am sure we all will say oh yea I agree with that. What we do is tedious also and time consuming and you grow into the love of it or else we move on. It is a hobby not for all. Patience plays a huge role and at some times it can test our inner selfs. Lets say a high is just like having ******* a candy bar (what did you think I was going to say) and a low is like denting your car. Here are some examples to get things rolling and hope others will jump in. Highs Sawing along and you decide you need to change the blade. The first cut with the new blade is like heaven. Picked out a pattern that had so many cuts you thought you would never finish but you make that final cut and stand back and you are proud. Had someone compliment your work and go on and on about how well it looks and maybe even buys a piece. You find that perfect piece of wood to work with in both looks and in cutting ability. Not all woods cut well. Lows Put hours in on a piece cutting many frets and when done accidently drop it and it breaks into a million pieces. Now that is the low of lows to me. (we all have been there) Spend many hours making things and go to a show and nothing sells. Cutting an intricate pattern and within the board are hard grain lines that constantly throw your blade off course. Had this with oak boards because of the heavy grains. Cutting fine details and suddenly you sneeze and there goes a fine cut. OK that should get things rolling. There are many many more and we all have lived them. Lets see what you come up with. Hopefully all our highs and lows even out and we continue promoting this great hobby. Happy Scrolling.

I cut these three for my sisters and an aunt !......I was inspired by several of of the Village folk that have cut them....stack cut from 1/4 BB..top and bottoms are Poplar....used #3 Pegas MG blades..Thanks for looking !

I wanted to do a Dinosaur Puzzle as a scene and with shaping of the pieces like Intarsia and this is what I came up with. None of the woods have been colored or stained. It is a scene of a T-Rex with its dinner a small Dinosaur at its feet. The background is green poplar, ash, cherry and blue pine for the sky. The small tree, top of larger tree, and both dinosaurs are green poplar. The trunk of the tree and volcanos are walnut and the lava is cedar. This shows the puzzle with the parts out. And here are the puzzle parts. The puzzle parts and background were shaped with a pneumatic drum sander and smaller parts with a Dremel and carbide cutter.

Just got home from the second day of a two day show. This annual show is a Christmas Botique that has been going on for thirty years at a local church here in Moorpark, California. It is all hand crafted items. There was even a guy selling beautiful hand crafted cutting boards. This was my forth or fifth year. My average sales. Is approximately $700 each day. Yesterday, I sold $1003, and today, I hit my average of $700. I don't post a lot in the bragging section because I know I will be posting pictures of my shows. So, here they are.

My method is simple, when I am having problems, change the blade. When I remove a blade put it in the trash can.

For me, it's the smoke and smell of burning wood that are the first indications that perhaps my blade is performing at less than optimum. Seriously, it boils down to how the blade is cutting. I know that sometimes the deterioration in performance is gradual enough not to be readily noticeable, but it comes down to what you will tolerate. I tend to push a blade beyond what some might consider its effective lifespan. But I do have my limits, so eventually I will get tired of how slowly the blade is cutting and swap it out for a new one. There really isn't a hard & fast rule. The lifespan of a blade will vary, depending on size, brand, material being cut, etc, so all these variables will play into how long a blade will last. I'm cutting a bunch of compound cut, birdhouse ornaments right now. It's much easier to tell when the blade is dull in 1 1/4" thick African Mahogany than if I were cutting 1/4" BB ply.

Nope, just cut them straight and they slide "in and out" just like the animal puzzles, etc.

Looking good, Frank !....Frames are simple but effective, nice work !

Nice cut

Interesting, I am a new scroller too, coming up on the end of the second year. I never thought of my ability to control the speed of feeding the wood as part of the equation. I have nerve damage in my hands, frost bite twice in the military, when I drag my thumb up an FDUR blade to find the direction of the teeth, I can barely feel it, but when I do the same with the same size PMG blade I feel it easily, in my view they are sharper. I wonder if that is the aggressiveness y'all feel. I know cutting straight lines, especially parallel lines is easier with the PMG blade. Thanks for that insight, I will keep the whole equation in mind. Jim

That is good for the ego but if you don't want to cut it again you will really have to push yourself to get out there and do it. Just think of it as being the first time you are going to cut it. Marg

I use hard wood in all my projects. I've learned thru trial & error that it works best for what I do. I cut my own feathers for my dream catchers, they are 3/16" thick, & I do stack cut them on occasion. My crosses, dream catchers, napkin holders, & specialty projects are all walnut, cherry, maple, oak, & red oak. I've found that once in awhile, somebody will want a picture frame, or somethin' like it. It's a good way to use my hard wood pieces, & make somebody smile That's whats this is all about, in my opinion. To see the the smile on folks' face when they get a project I made just for them. That's a high that don't go away! ' r

My problem is underestimating the actual work involved in a piece. I do segmentation like fretwork but i save all the little pieces i cut out. Looking at the pattern it never seems like that many pieces until i start cutting them. I end up usually with a giant pile of tiny pieces that all need to be sorted out and painted the right colors. Once they get into the hundreds and you still have many to cut it really starts to suck. too late to turn back of course though by then.

Have to thank all for adding their own highs and lows and boy there are some that just ring true with us all. I do hope there are always more highs than lows and whatever lows happen we learn from them. Continue adding to the list. It makes for a great read. Happy Scrolling.

The high for me was selling all my puzzles I made over the summer in one day at a craft sale. The low was getting 3 - 6ft boards and attaching 40 dragons to them and telling myself "I have 4 weeks to cut over 50 puzzles before the next craft sale". Now the panic has kicked in . A nice problem to have.

good taste Bobby,Thanks friend!

I'm trying Roly! Thanks!

A customer wanted it so i made it in microsoftofficeword2006,Thanks

Thank you Bobby!

I had so many problems with the spray pain the mess made on the floor from cans leaking as spraying ,clogged tips and cans.I should have baled out but no .Now the customer tell me her husband said i spelled her name wrong.Back to the bench i go.Fixed it by making it over and knocked out a few more while I'm at it.Gabriella was spelled wrong.

WoW, they look great. That;s a lot of chairs. Good luck with the fund raiser.

Awesome buy.You Lucky Guy.

Busted out a few quick ornaments from the plywood last night still need to sand the backs

Just another thought, that well, I just thought,,,, I have found that sometime, well most often, you can purchase 2- 6" wide pieces or 2 - 4" wide much cheaper than one 8" or 10". I normally go the 2 pieces and do a glue up. Yep, I am cheap.... And if you insist on 1/4" thickness, I think a glue up is required. The 1/4" pieces I have, I will have to cut them into narrower strips and glue them up because of the amount they have cupped. I am first going to heat one side to see I I can "un-cup" them.

I have to agree with JT also. I think that Baltic Birch is the way to go and it stains very nicely too.

Every afternoon in the "Shed" is its own treat ..... ..... and every step in the "scrolling path" is a genuine high: wood prep, pattern prep, cutting, sanding, framing, finishing. What can make each afternoon even better is: an old duster on the TV (the TV is mounted on the wall behind the scrollsaw). busy birdfeeders (the scrollsaw is mounted on a bench in front of a large window - feeders off to the side) a winter snowstorm When this all comes together its pretty tough not to recognize that woodworking contributes a lot to a very good life. The lows?: anything that means more than a few days away from the Shed Thanks, Jay

Some stunning hand crafted projects there and clearly shows why you did so well. Thanks for sharing photos of the show. Show us more as you cut. We don't mind ooh-ing and ahh-ing more than once!

Holly smokes! Do you have a stable of elves that produce all that wonder cutting? Can't imagine one man doing all that.

Here is my submission. I got the idea from an image on Pinterest. I drew up my own vine and found words to use online. The backer is 8" square and made from reclaimed cedar fence panels stained Early American. The overlay is 1/8" Baltic birch ply.