Leaderboard

Also cut this plaque today.

I've been quite busy and haven't posted much on here.. or actually haven't really been on here much other than a couple quick glances every now and then.. Chevy Nova and the 57 Chevy Wagon are a couple custom orders from last week.. rest is stuff I had but sold last week.. Hoping everyone is enjoying their summer and getting lots of saw time in.. Thanks in advance for your likes and comments.... as this week is already starting out busy so I'm probably not going to get much time to get on here..

Two wood ornaments I cut today. The one "I Can Only Imagine" is a movie of that title which is a very good movie!

Finished up another Alex Fox pattern over the weekend. I will finish with a customized frame for a friend but they don't know what they want it to say yet. 1/2" Ash. Cut with FD new spiral #1 and #3.

I'm still on an airplane kick. I have always been interested in the Boeing -377 Stratocruiser. It's based on the B-29 bomber with an enlarged double deck fuselage capable of holding between 63 to 84 passengers depending on if the ship had births. It was one of the last radial reciprocating engine luxury airliners and only 55 were built. There was also an enlarged freight version called the Guppy and the Air force used it as the C-97. BOAC and AOA operated this aircraft and PAN AM named it a Clipper like its earlier long range aircraft, the B-314 China Clipper. The introduction of the jet engine British Comet and the Boeing 707 brought an end to the operation of the B-377 in 1963. More info on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_377_Stratocruiser

One more ornament pattern, I tried to make easier pattern - it has 5 layers (4 and 1 background) and much less cuts Painted MDF 3mm (about 1/8 inch), 6,5 x 6,5 inches, blades: NIQUA Top Cut #1 Pattern available at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexFoxUA

I don't cut anything exotic, just things that I happen to like. The star of David was the first piece I cut. It was for a little friend for Hanukkah. She could paint it. She is a beautiful Chinese little 11 year old who was born missing one chromosome. This leaves her a little slow. Perhaps like a six year old so she is in special ed. She loves little puzzles so I cut little things for her wile my wife supplies her with girly things. The second photo is more of an example of what I like to cut. I don't sell anything and my shelf is getting crowded. I'm probably the only one around here that likes them. They can be given away when there is a sale of my estate which I hope isn't soon.

The Alex Fox, Clef note shadow box is cut from 1/8 inch BB and finished with spray shellac .....I really enjoy these types of projects !....The counter dish, is a Steve Good project, made of Pine, Mahogany ,BB and Cherry...I plan on using the dish to drop my wallet and keys in...maybe some loose change if I have any !.....Comments welcome, Steve.

Birch plywood 6 mm (about 1/4 inch) Flat blades NIQUA Ultra #1 pattern available at www.etsy.com/shop/AlexFoxUA

The color of the flake you use is totally up to you. The normal light blonde flake are what I have been using for sealing and it puts a light golden tint to the work. You could of course adjust it by adding amber flake or switching to it all together. Most of the shellac that is premixed and is in spray can form is the blonde flake. You will need to experiment a bit to find what color(s) work for what wood. As I mentioned it generally is the builders preference. Like mentioned shredding the flake will make it dissolve faster. DW

I always make shellac from flakes. I get them from Rockler, because it's close and I get coupons from them, thus I've not notices price variations. Like Bill I use a small coffee bean grinder to cut the flakes. In addition to other comments about making a batch. They dissolve better in warm conditions. I have problems in the winter as we keep the day temp at 67 & night 58.. I usually put the jar near a register in the bathroom because that's that's the warmest room. I primarily use it as a sealer and to add base color (garnet) to a project. I've read that if it's over 6 months old it's no good? I usually will use it for year before saying it's out of date.

Both came to great!

I often use the Zinnser pre-mixed stuff, but I've used flakes several times as well. It does take some advance planning, because it takes some time for the flakes to dissolve. I use a little electric coffee grinder and grind the flakes into a finer powder. It seems to make them dissolve faster, but it still takes time. I usually allow them to dissolve at least 24 hours. They need shaken up several times along the process as well. Like I said, you have to plan ahead. I like using the flakes, because you can get a variety of shades. I only have used a couple different shades and sometimes I even mix them. I've even mixed Zinnser clear, pre-mixed shellac with some dark amber flake mix to add just a tinge of darker color, rather than get the full impact of the dark amber. Your options for getting the color you want are pretty extensive, but you have to experiment with the wood you are using. Probably why a lot of hobbiests don't use flakes.

This was my first ever scroll saw project, but it needs to be explained. I have worked with my hands most of my life. Built 2 motorhomes in my earlier days, as well as various machines and/or improvements. Took a woodworking class at a trade school & built an oak desk. Time & patience mean absolutely nothing to me. The clock was cut with a $69 Performax saw from Menards. Not visible is the pedestal that made the total height about 6 1/2'. It was given as a housewarming gift to our son in Des Moines, Iowa. To you nice people that hesitate to start what looks like a challenging/difficult piece, just remember it is always 1 hole & cut at a time. It doesn't make any difference if it takes 7 months (as this did), or you start 1 or more projects per day. The amount of sawdust is the same either way. jerry

Not too much scrolling involved, I mostly used bandsaw for these, but they were the very first things I cut with the scroll saw, right after I bought it. They're cut out of old weathered fence paneling, with a back cut the same size as the frame then glued/nailgun'd together.

Well this is not really my first, scroll project, don't really remember what my first was but this one of my very early ones. It is the first Cigar Box Guitar I made, only I didn't have a cigar box at the time so I made the box and scrolled the two eagles in the top for decoration.

Fun Topic!! This isn't my first, but the earliest that I found on my facebook page. I noticed some of my early work in my mom's boxes as she moved over the weekend, I'll see if I can find something earlier.

I haven't even touched a scrollsaw for around a year. I have no idea what made me think I could cut something today with any skill. I would be cutting a nice straight line and all of a sudden the blade would take of in a direction of it's own choosing. It's almost as if a gremlin was periodically bumping my elbow. Now that I think about it it would of made a whole lot more sense to practice on something easy instead of something I wanted to give as a gift. Sorry about tis post, I just had to vent somewhere and I thought you folk would understand.

A welcome edition to your wall of fame!

Good looking work, both came out super. jim penquin

Just wondering how many purist here mix there on shellac?

It is simple economics that internet based stores tend to be cheaper then brick and mortar retail stores as they have less overhead. $85 a pound sounds high even with shipping. Have you checked with internet sellers like Amazon?

Hello All, I just started trying a spiral blade and picked the bosch one from lowes. Ofcourse I hate bosch blade but would like to try a better spiral blade. Any suggestion on type and where I can buy it? I will appreciate any pointers. Thanks.

I agree with Bill's post. I only use the real small spirals. The Pegas 2/0 is a good one for me also. Just a little stiffer than the Flying Dutchman 2/0

I like the Flying Dutchman New Spiral blades, mostly because I can get them in 2/0 & 3/0 sizes for really fine detail work. You may have to untwist/flatten the ends to get them to seat properly in your blade clamps, but it isn't hard to do. The Flying Dutchman brand flat end spirals are also good, if you don't need the very smallest sizes. I buy mine from Wooden Teddy Bear. https://www.woodenteddybearonline.com/x/home.php?cat=550&sort=orderby&sort_direction=0&page=1

Agree with the comments already given. Use a smaller spiral blade and better grade plywood and you will get better results. However, it is true that spirals will not cut as cleanly and smoothly as straight blades. They work well on thinner plywood, because the roughness of the cut edges isn't as noticeable as it would be on thicker wood. I prefer spirals for portrait style cutting, but that's about it. Portrait patterns lend themselves well to using spirals, but straight blades work better for traditional fretwork type projects, IMHO. Cutting straight lines and precise, sharp inside corners is much more difficult with spirals.

I haven't bought any flakes for a while. Last I bought was from Rockler. However, I do recall reading about periodic swings in pricing, due to availability of the product. The supply is somewhat subject to weather conditions in the region where the raw shellac is harvested (Thailand & India), so prices can vary widely. Perhaps the vendors are selling at different prices, reflecting the prices they paid at the time.

I agree with Fred. A number 5 spiral is way to big for thin stock. Go with a 2/0 or a 1. I never cut one piece of 1/8" or 1 /4" plywood or solid. A single piece is more prone to break out.

Thank you for the input it is greatly appreciated and helps tremendously. Mark

They are terrific projects, you did a excellent job. Marg

Check the vendor section in the resource tab. There are many who can help you.

Still Chasing planes. Found a line drawing of a Lockheed Constellation ( not a super) built a lot of bridges (3D paint). A beautiful Queen of the Sky. Looking at a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser for my next project. Missed the age of luxury flying. Too many trips on a 737 middle seat, row 24 and the vent and recliner were broke and #24 for departure.

Great job Steve! Love the treble clef pattern.

Looks great Jim!

Gentlemen thank you for the information. One more question please. I noticed a large price difference for the same color of flakes . I wont say where but one was $95.00 in stock I could pick up. The other is $85.00 delivered which includes shipping. I am in no hurry so delivery is ok. Normal?

Awesome job Jeff, thanks for posting

It is a beautiful box

DW is there suggestion as to which color for wood. I read like a Ruddy amber for Mahogany blonde for maple and a garnet for walnut. Any truth to this? Or is it whatever works for you? Also can smaller pieces be dipped? Oh Zen Scroller thank you for the help.

I have the Pegas clamps on my EX and they are working fine, so far. Where did you get the aluminum knobs showing in your pictures in place of thumbsrews?

I do all the time. It is not difficult, just time consuming. DW

If you are top feeding it might be a little different.

I don' see how they would be worth installing and the cost for a DW 788.It only takes uder 1 minute to install a new blade and 30 sec to re attach wne cutting fret work. IKE

Great cut. I really like that. Rob

Awesome cutting, where can one find the pattern?

I am cutting 3 pieces of 1/8 in walnut using a Flying Dutchman #3 blade. As to why it has taken me so long to get back to cutting all I can say is I have other hobbies also and life was messing with me

Well seeing as this was my idea I had better show you my first 'project. As you can see it was a small one. My husband had just got himself a scroll saw and I had asked how it worked, he showed me and I was off cutting 'straight' and squiggerly lines. The next week I came across a book of patterns by Patrick Spielman and I loved the penguin, so off I went. I did a couple of others that day, a Scotty dog which I gave to a Scottish girlfriend (she's still got it) and a cat will a ball but unfortunately that disintegrated into about 6 pieces when it fell off the fridge. My little penguin still sits on the fridge and he is 19 years old now. I did some woodburning on him as you can see still no better at it. Marg

I'll start off. This was my first project. I probably made this around 2007-ish. This was originally a pumpkin stencil that I put onto wood. Cut on birch plywood from Lowes. I don't remember if I used a spiral blade or a flat blade. But this was my maiden voyage. I wanted to get into woodworking, but woodworking can be expensive since you need so many tools. Then I discovered the scroll saw and realized I can do quite a lot with such a simple tool. And thus began my journey.

I'm getting too old for this stuff... LOL 3 days of hell is complete. As a reminder, this was my first time doing this event so I didn't have any basis for what to expect other than hearing from other vendors how great it is. We were fortunate to have 3 days with no rain at all. But it sure was hot, same as many places in the country right now. The venue is a nice, large, wooded park. However my booth was one of the very few in full sunshine pretty much all day long. If I hadn't taken a large fan with me I'd have roasted. Anyway, all went well, I set a goal of 40 puzzles a day (with a stretch goal of 60 for the final day), my final numbers were Day 1 - 43 Day 2 - 42 Day 3 - 47 I'm consistent if nothing else. I'm very happy, especially considering it was Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. The event always ends on July 4th. So next year it'll be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and I'll likely sign up for it again since I did well this year. I'm skipping my weekly farmers market this Saturday as my inventory is depleted... and I'm exhausted too. I'll enjoy some cutting time the rest of this week while I'm still on vacation from the day job.

Them HF quick clamps should be called disposable. they didn't even give me one project. The darn thing broke on first clamping. Do not waste your money on these. Sam

Edward, you are doing fine. Take your time. Just remember, once the pattern is removed, there will be no lines for anybody to see. You can make a lot of mistakes and nobody will ever know. I'm in the same boat as you as far as experience goes. I am doing a wall plaque that will be a gift and I'm really taking my time and trying my best not to make a mistake that's really obvious. Keep up the good work and post your finished project. Ray