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My wife wanted me to do a portrait of her sister. The picture is from several years ago. this designing thing is not simple. I feel like I'm gobbling pixels in Pacman. Never sure how much detail I should remove or keep. I'll keep practicing.

Cut a couple of these out yesterday , then got the idea of making ornaments from the pattern. I did modify the pattern some but not too much, mostly just around the letters to sort of separate them. This is a pattern from the woodimals cd I purchased last year. Puzzles are made from Poplar and the base I colored with dark walnut Danish oil. The ornaments are 1/8 BB Ply with Danish oil. I copied the pattern and saved as jpg and then right clicked the file, selected print then in the photo print options I printed it as a 3x5 inch and print 4 of them to a sheet of paper. I resize a lot of patterns for wall hanging into ornaments this way. Anyway enjoy the photos. BTW I did both with cropped ears and without. Only got these two pictures for now.

5 layers (4 and 1 background), painted MDF 3mm (about 1/8 inch), 7,5 x 4,8 inches, blades: NIQUA Ultra #1 Pattern available at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexFoxUA and short video (3 min) of making project

So I feel out of place with my boring word art after seeing everyone else's amazing first projects, but my first "official" project was to cut out names for my kids to decorate.

I have been a woodworker from early grade school as my Dad was a woodworker and had me making things when I was in grade school. I made lots of furniture with fancy backs and kick plates, lots of ginger bread, clocks that I cut with jig saw or fret saw. I even had a old Craftsman one speed scroll saw that will bounce off the table if you don't clamp it down. I never knew that there was pin less blades and why the table tilted until I took a course at the Durham Woodworking Club some 8 years ago. I did the wolf head below (it extends out about 1/4 inch). That was on a Saturday and over the weekend I researched scroll saws and on Tuesday I order a EX-21 and by Friday it was up and running and as they say the rest is history.

Hi all, Just got into scrolling. I bought an old 16" craftsman off of craigslist to cut out wooden gears for a candy dispenser project I am planning on doing with my kids and have since discovered the wide world of scrolling. I've been into woodworking for as long as I can remember. I started out probably around 4 or 5 years old bugging my dad for the small scrap pieces in his shop, and now half of my garage is a dedicated workspace. I mostly make things that we need around the house, like end tables and most recently a reading bench with built in bookshelves for my two middle daughters. I've gotten my hands dirty in almost all of the building trades, and according to my kids "I can fix anything", but I usually refer to myself as a jack of all trades, master of none I am excited to get started with my scroll saw. I have spent the majority of my evenings for the last week learning how to use Inkscape to make scroll patterns thanks to the Scroll Saw Goodies YouTube channel. I have a few made up and printed off and cant wait to get scrolling! One question I have is about blade types. My 16" Craftsman uses pin end blades, are there any disadvantages to this type of blade? Would it be worth getting one of the conversion kits out there that let you use both pin end and plain end blades? Craig

Just finished these today. I want to thank Don in Brooklin for doing the patterns for me. Two more Christmas gifts out of the way.

Sorry about this. I've had problems putting the two photos in the first post. Bob

your plastic air line is an easy fix. Bushton has the updated locline kite for about $15 or there abouts. Any issues you have with it, parts, etc. if we aren't able to answer your questions here, Nicki at Bushton can! Welcome to the Hawk family, Sir!

hello KM. yes, it was me. In the manual for the BM 226, it recommends powdered graphite for lube the wedge and for the tension release at the nose of the top arm. I bought mine at Napa. It's just a small tube of dry graphite. It just takes a snort, & you're set. don't try to force a whole boat load in the tension release because it'll just end up on your saw deck. It just takes a small snort, too.

My opinion is 1 inch of wood is pushing things pretty hard, especially for a beginning scroller. I would back off to 2 sheets macs and enjoy the cutting without the struggles you will be putting in front of you with that many layers. The saw can handle that much OK but for you, I think I would not try to cut them as discribed Dick heppnerguy

I've never used 1/4 plywood for portrait work.. I usually use 1/8" Baltic birch plywood.. much stronger and higher quality than a normal plywood.. with 1/8" you can stack cut 4-5 boards together at one time.. I've never used a spiral blade any larger than a #3.. and that is pretty rare.. Typically use a #0/1 or a #1 .. I mostly use flat blades but will use spirals from time to time.. I like Flying Dutchman spiral blades.. usually the "New Spirals" I bought a sample of Pegas spirals.. I do like Pegas blades.. I think Pegas blades run on the small side from the other blades I've used n spinals anyway.. Most online places that sells blades have a recommended usage description.. also a size chart for each size blade to get an idea.. not all brands and styles of blades use the same size by number configuration.. so a #4 Olsen blade will most likely be a different size blade that a #4 Pegas or other brand / style.. blade... Making portraits from 1/8 BB ply and then adding a 1/8 backer still allows the portraits to still fit in many picture frames.. You can paint the backers if using the same wood.. or use a regular 1/8 plywood from a contrasting color.. if the piece isn't too fragile.. you can also use a foam sheet or colored paper to ad color to the background of the picture..

I buy mine local in the 60 x 60 inch square size.. I have them cut it into 3rds so it's easier handling on my small table saw.. They do it for free if it takes them less than 5 minutes.. I've always read that the 4 x 8 sheets is not real BB just birch plywood.... There use to be a website where you could find local distributors of lumber and plywood etc.. Can't think of the name of it now Edited to add: I just realized you're from west Michigan.. Not sure how close to Charlotte you are but I buy most my supplies from LL Johnson lumber out of Charlotte Mi.. They have a yearly " Wood Expo " where they run sales on lumber and plywood's etc.. and have demonstrations, tool sales etc.. I try to by my years worth of supplies during this expo.. And.. it just so happens to be coming up in September.. I don't know the dates off the top of my head but.. you can google them for their web site and they should have something on there about it.. Usually first part of Sept. Last year the 1/8" BB ply in the 60 x 60 size was like $12 a sheet normally runs about $15.00 I think.. Expo is Sept. 7-8 http://www.theworkbench.com/expo.php

I have always been happy with this company. http://www.sloanswoodshop.com/default.htm Unless it's for a backer, I only order "Good Both Sides". For the number of hours spent on a fret piece, I consider the extra cost very reasonable to have 2 sides to choose from. jerry

Hawk recommends a light oil for the bearings and bushings as well... but they recommend a dry lube for the front tension release cam area and I think the wedge at the back of the saw.. I've been using just oil.. as that's what the manual says.. however I've seen mention that Hawk now recommends the dry lube.. so I don't know.. I think Brad was one that mentioned he used the dry lube per Hawks recommending it to him.. I thought I'd give it a try and a short test run and check for wear etc.. and see how it goes.. I know the oil collects all the dust and dirt.. etc.. and i don't too much care for that.. and the grimy look that it leaves behind.. after a few hours of cutting

Any certain brand you use for the Hawks.. I'm not sure where to get it locally as I haven't found anything that says it's dry lube.. until I found this stuff.. I've been using light oil but it's messy and not sure how good it's doing for the saw since it gets sawdust and grime stuck in it etc.. I know I read some of you all use a dry graphite..? https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/automotive/automotive-maintenance/automotive-grease-lubricants/blaster-reg-industrial-graphite-dry-lubricant-5-5-oz/8-gs/p-1498065592810.htm Think this will do?

Well I decided to knock this out this morning. I want to thank Wayne for doing the pattern and also the other pattern makers that also made name patterns for me to try. This one seemed to work the best because of so many letters. This is made out of Oak and I made it 12 inches long and about 2 inches high. I think he will like it.

Very nice work there Savethebeer. I love the fire engine/pumper. The life cycle is missing something on the right end. The "box" that we all end up in.

ocoochhardwoods.com woodworkerssource.com heritagewood.com Amazon.com I've used Amazon and Ocooch with good results. Woodworkers source lets you choose your sizes cut from 60" x 60" sheets or precut individual sizes. I've also used the local big box stores with fair results.

do a search on www.woodfinder.com

Good one! Nice to see a boxer without a long string of drool hanging out of its mouth!

According to their website Menards does sell 4x8 sheets of Baltic Birch but only in 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4. 98% of the time I use Baltic Birch it is 1/8 which is only sold in 5x5 sheets.

I dump it in our burn pit, and burn it up with the yard debris.

By the way, my scroll saw is the Dewalt 788, and the blade tensioning position had been set at the 3.5 setting.

I also wonder if my issue has more to do with tensioning, as opposed to anything else. At the Pegas website I ran across some info which put the #7 Spiral blade as a worthy candidate for 3/4" (and even somewhat greater) thicknesses of plywood stock. But, it just may be that there are two elements - tensioning, and speed - which may need addressing. Trial and error episodes, I guess, just may be of the order.

I'd suggest checking local lumber yards, cabinet shops. I can buy it locally from a unfinished furniture store, several lumber yards. Where I live it is always in 5' x 5' sheets.

I'm with Bill dump it on the edge of the woods behind my house and the chickens spread it around. FYI chickens don't like cherry sawdust.

I just breath it all in !!! jerry

Hi and welcome to the forum. Glad to have you join us. As to pin/pinless blades. You can do everything with pinless blades, and have a much larger variety of blades to choose from. Pin end blades have a smaller selection and like stated you can not do intricate fret work, simply because you will need a much larger hole to stick the pin end blade through. If you like your saw and plan on keeping it I think it would be worth it to change the clamps.

Graphite is messy but does not attract dust.

Got the saw in my shop. Everything looks and seems to work great, except I broke the air blower(plastic fitting). Now to make a little room and give it a go.

Very nicely done. I would like to make one of these some day are they made to a design ?? Don W

If all works it still a very good deal. You get to at least try it being it is a pickup. Good luck. Good to see the Hawk family growing here.

I am a Hawk owner. Got the Hawk G4 for $ 330. I am going tomorrow to pick it up. I hope it is as nice as the pictures.

Absolutely beautiful work!

Those all came out fantastic John. Thanks for sharing them with us. DW

Right nice to see and even more nice to own, Good job!

Nice work thanks for sharing

Very nice work, thanks for sharing

You are one talented scroller!

Truly Beautiful Boxes!! Awesome job!!

Thanks munzieb, I have a lot of fun making them.

Those are really nice! Great job!

You have not lot your touch. Awesome as usual.

Wow !....Those turned out great!

I got hooked on the scroll saw when my wife wanted the words Live, Love, Laugh made out of wood to hang on the wall. She had seen some in a local store for $25 each. I took at look at them in the store and they very cheaply made. I told her I could make them for less and they would look better. At the time I had no idea how I was going to do it as I was not a woodworker . I made my first set of words using a jig saw but there was way too much sanding involved, so it was back to the drawing board. I discovered the scroll saw and I made another set of the words and I was hooked. The words are still on our wall.

My very first .

Terrible corners with a Harbour Freight saw and round blades... Also no clue about wood, so it's spray painted MDF: The sawdust gave me 6 weeks of bronchitis!

This was the project that got me hooked last November and my first project.