Leaderboard

My daughter, Kathleen, is a special needs teacher in a Toronto inner-city school. Her speciality is remedial reading. She has certainly earned this plaque which I recently made for her: Sue Mey designed the pattern. I cut it out of 6mm thick Baltic Birch plywood. I made the backing and the frame out of Walnut.

G'day all, I think I have posted 2 of these designs before, but no two are alike. Finished these 4. Radiata Pine, one with a Jarrah band. Interiors flocked, exterior 2 coats of gloss lacquer.

A couple of jigsaw puzzles completed. 16 and 20 pieces. Cut from 4mm ply with 3mm MDF backing 2 coats of gloss lacquer

"Peace" sign project. 4 layers, MDF 1/8 inch Flying dutchman ultra reverse blades #1 Peace pattern

Teach Table Sign Pattern School is coming to an end soon so this might make a nice gift for the teacher. I cut mine from a variegated board I glued together from some scrap wood ( cherry and maple) to make a nice ice cream feel to the piece (chocolate and vanilla). I used the cut off piece with the leaf outline in it as a base. Free Pattern:

Obviously inspired by Fiona Kingdon's art I thought this piece of spalted oak with worm holes had a story to tell. While cutting the scene and listening to my Daughter's Echo Dot the old hymn He Leadeth Me Came on. I think this line from the song fits the piece very well. I don't have any artistic ability so I used 3 pieces of clip art to get an outline of the ship, lighthouse, and birds. It is about 6" X 11".

I was looking through the pattern gallery and found this, I did modify it and at the last moment, I free handed the border.

Just a little this and that. Yesterday my wife started rearranging things in my shop. The things I cut are just in a pile. I really have no use for most of the stuff. She says I'm wasting space and need to be more efficient. Anyway my wife being a nest freak started moving things. Somethings went to the trash, somethings for white elephant gifts and some things for those I don't really appreciate. That'll show 'em. Another thing, she swept my shop complaining the little pieces of wood hurt when she walks around my shop barefoot. Wear shoes and you don't need to sweep. But what do I know? I have a small pancake compressor I purchased long ago from HF. I paid $30 for it. It had been returned but they would allow me to return it if not satisfied. Noisy little sucker. When needing to use my nail gun or stapler I would wheel my much larger compressor into the shop. It's a pain just to put drive just a few small nails. I dug out the little pancake compressor to see if it would drive the nail gun. Surprisingly It did. I can't lift much and I don't like dragging things. I spent a little time making a base with kind of wheels. I got these things from HF. I go there a lot as they are only minutes from my home. They are like big ball bearings and only $1.99 each. The screws I used on them were just a trifle long and I did not want to go to ACE for just 8 screws. I cut off the extended screws with a Dremel tool. It ain't purdy and makes noise when rolling along the floor. I guess the plywood sort of amplifies the sound. When I use the little bugger I take out my hearing aids and put on ear protection. I do the same when using my little router. Both are noisy little suckers. Hope I haven't bored anyone too badly.

Sounds like you have been productive. good idea on that compressor. Funny talking about sweeping the floor. I do my work in my dining room. I only do scrolling so not a lot of sawdust but still its unavoidable. Yesterday I was making a chicken salad sandwich, just made a whole tupperware thing full of it. Of course, I dropped the whole turrepware thing on the shop floor face down. Seemed ok so I just scraped it all up with a spatula and will eat it again for lunch today. lol

I have had good luck with all of the ryobi tools I have, too funny

I have a DeWalt, great sander but I only have used it a couple time on my fretwork. I use a sanding mop on all my fretwork. I love those things.

I use a Hitachi (HIKOKI) 1/4 sheet sander https://sydneytools.com.au/product/hitachi-sv12sg-200w-114mm-4-1-2-palm-sander?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBRD0ARIsAJYs6o0BdAyBv8KULuNHw-Am7mJ7K3Rfri05DarERNS93YX2btZuebeGNzkaAnJUEALw_wcB and or an AEG ROS https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/power-tools/products/details/300w-125mm-orbital-sander-ex125es?list=current_category&list_name=sanders I lay all my fretwork portraits on non slip shelf lining before sanding. When using the ROS I turn the speed down. I always sand the board down to 220g prior to cutting so it only requires a light going over with 360g before finishing. If you see RYOBI ....................................... RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN

I have a Bosch orbital hand sander with variable speed works great for me. Roly

Not sure what sander you bought but in my opinion you never want to use an orbital sander on fret work. The paper can catch and rip delicate pieces apart. I like to use a 1/4 sheet palm sander and my go to sander for over 35 years has been this Porta Cable Bloc sander. It is a work horse and and is delicate enough for fret work. I believe these are not available for sale any more. Not sure. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=384B8440FD8001B3FB696D0D1E331FC564EEAFA5&thid=OIP.qolcGxY1k-o1y_b__Sh1HgHaHa&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tool-rank.com%2Fmedia%2Flisting%2Fphotos%2Foriginal%2F2a%2F69%2F1c%2F312_SpeedBlocSander_1229129071.jpg&exph=400&expw=400&q=porta+cable+bloc+sander&selectedindex=1&adt=1&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=1,2,3,6

This clock was made from beech wood (the body) and white walnut wood (the disk) .

The Few The Proud The Marines This is a second rendition of the famous slogan created for recruitment of Marines. I cut mine from Sapele wood and used the off cut as the top layer for the base. The bottom base is a slab of pine, but I made some slot cuts along the edges to give it some character. Free Pattern:

FYI: Charles Dearing is selling his patterns again. He has a facebook account where you can reach him.

You let your wife clean up and re-arrange your shop! Oh horror of horrors!!! I'm afraid if my wife tried that, it would be the end of our 40+ year marriage. She hates clutter and my shop is the epitome of clutter. Look up clutter in the dictionary and it will have a picture of my shop. I don't want anyone "cleaning" it up for me. I like my clutter, thank you very much. Fortunately for me, my wife has zero interest in my shop. She sticks her head in the door to tell me I have a phone call or let me know supper is ready. Other than that, as long as I keep the door shut so she can't see in there and I don't track sawdust upstairs, she doesn't care what it looks like.

That's excellent because every one needs fiber and sawdust is fiber and better than chewing on a broom!

check out CPO tools.com. Reconditioned is the way to go.

Several years ago at the Scroll Saw picnic, I purchased the Sand Flee. It was very expensive, but a worthwhile investment for sanding fretwork.

I have a small Ryobi that works great on my Fret work.

Thanks Kevin Duke

I also did the HF sander.. I've told several on here to stay away from it.. They have two different models or at least they did.. the one isn't as aggressive as the other.. but neither are great.. All of my sanding is done with a Bosh variable speed RO sander.. I've not had any issues with fragile fretwork with it.. Bosh makes a single speed and a variable speed.. Get the VS one because you can turn it way down for sanding those fragile portraits.. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-2-5-Amp-5-in-Corded-Variable-Speed-Random-Orbital-Sander-Polisher-Kit-with-Carrying-Bag-ROS20VSC/203866770 I've had this sander for about 5 years and just the beginning of this year had to change the brushes in it.. The little dust can is nice but it is hard to get it open to empty the dust out..

https://www.dndsawbladesonline.com/ http://stores.bushtonhawkstore.com/pike-and-pegas/ http://www.scrollsawbladespatterns.com/ Of these places I've ordered blades from.. DNDsawblades and QTE that jerrye mentioned had the fastest shipping and customer service.. scrollsawbladespatterns was the worst.. I got my blades but they took a long time.. quite often back ordered and they'll send what they have and a few months later they send out the rest LOL

I use these as the need arises https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-P411-Cordless-Operated-Included/dp/B017POA9R2/ref=sr_1_11?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBRD0ARIsAJYs6o0o4khSbh-00SReHrUKX90WGod3cvQkTd95FQTQZV761wqMlc-SaH4aAtOmEALw_wcB&hvadid=177804463144&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9027978&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14689568121858880417&hvtargid=aud-649564993678%3Akwd-111392455&hydadcr=7988_9886454&keywords=ryobi+sander&qid=1558084069&s=gateway&sr=8-11 https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-ZRCFS1503GK-Corner-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B07DSLTG7T/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBRD0ARIsAJYs6o0o4khSbh-00SReHrUKX90WGod3cvQkTd95FQTQZV761wqMlc-SaH4aAtOmEALw_wcB&hvadid=177804463144&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9027978&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14689568121858880417&hvtargid=aud-649564993678%3Akwd-111392455&hydadcr=7988_9886454&keywords=ryobi+sander&qid=1558084069&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

I have one of the ones JT was talking about. I loved it but it died. I use a Dewalt ROS now but I keep it supported so the weight is in my hand and not on the fret work. There is a lot information available for mop sanders but they have their limits also. Hand sanding on very delicate work is a great way to go. Food for thought.

A specific place to paint is awesome. I have a paint booth. It is a garbage can.

She will be very proud to display that great job!

After receiving lots of input on this site I made a terrible mistake and purchased a cheap palm sander from HF. That was a couple of months or so ago. I tried it for the first time today. That sucker is wild. I tried it on a project today and all it did was break a couple of parts on the project. It is cheap and totally useless. I need to find a more gentle sander.

I have a Black&Decker.Never any problems. I don't use it on my scroll work.

Will recommend DandD great service and prices.

Qtena.com. They are about an hour from where I live so I get 1-2 day service. Very responsive to emails too. Great customer service.

H/F has a new line of power tools named Bauer. I almost bought the new RO sander when on sale but haven't yet. Has anybody tried them yet? They retail at about $40 but when on sale $24.95 with coupon. I'm very tempted.

Since I am celebrating Kathleen's 25 year teaching career in this thread, she deserves to have her picture included.

Thanks Charlie. I print the photo out on photo paper not to thick. I used 190gsm or 230 microns. I use contact adhesive in a pressure pack can. Spray the back of the picture and the board, wait until tacky and press the picture onto the board. Back up a step. I give the picture a light coat of lacquer prior to gluing, as this stops the ink from running and makes it more durable. Once cut put the puzzle together in it's tray and spray another coat of lacquer. Once dry cut it back lightly with 400grit and give it another coat of lacquer. Sounds complicated but it really isn't. I use an inkjet printer. Hope this helps. Cheers

Great job! And yes she has!

Thanks DukE

Oh wow, can't hardly see the lines for the pieces. Brilliant, I'm sure the Nippers will be so excited to have a go. What a lovely surprise for them xx

This is where I get mine.

Regardless of how you came up with the pictures you turned it into art on the PERFECT piece of wood. Excellent workmanship. Marg

Thanks. I'll have to do some shopping.

I love the old song. I especially like the choice of wood. The grain almost looks like an open sea.

Nicely done Frank. My wife is a Teacher too. What scared me about her career was the all too often school shootings. A bullet was once found in her school --- scared me a lot!! Sorry, my comments detract, you've done a neat job with a very nice pattern. Well Done! Vin

Looks like a great place for wood. I am super fortunate to have a place near me that is a cabinet makers store I call it. Guys shop there who work on ships and make custom stuff. They have 5x5 bb 1/8 for about $12 a sheet. Love that place.

I have lots of potential storage for small parts but I only use the one I have always had,. Just a walmart plastic thing with two sides and a lot of little spaces for screws and what not. I use it for everything with other perfectly good storage solutions sitting right next to it empty. Just use what works for you.

Having to have someone point out that its NOT laser-cut is about the highest form of compliment! Awesome job!

My grandfather from my mother's side immigrated from Hungry at the age of 6. He spent his life as a Union framing carpenter. He would show us as kids the 'proper' way to hammer a nail. One strike, set it, then the second strike drives it all the way in. Can't do it to this day. The man was a hard worker and a hard drinker. He would knock down a shot of whiskey while working and keep going. He moved in with my uncle and continued to garden and work around the house in the Chicago area. My uncle's driveway was 75, 100 feet and at 80 the man was out there shoveling. My mom sent us out to help. Halfway down the driveway all of us kids were doubled over and puffing like we had raced a marathon. At the age of 80 that man shoveled nonstop right on past us. I wonder if anyone nails like that now that nail guns are the standard. RJF

I bought myself some glass bottles & screwed the lids underneath a shelf. This is only part of my parts organisation, the rest i have in various drawers, cabinets etc .

Get out the nails. RJF