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Pics of my model of the 1930 Duesenberg that I built from plans by Forest Street Designs.

Good morning all. As I mentioned in my introduction a couple of weeks ago when I joined up, I have been purchasing a bunch of scroll saws for a boys club at my church to teach the boys some wood working and so they can make some ornaments. I told them that we would be doing this back in October, and there has been a lot of excitement and anticipation ever since. I also got a couple of gents from the church, who are also woodworkers, to help out on the nights we are going to use them as I wanted one adult per saw. On Wednesday, December 1st, we had our first workshop. As I was bringing the saws in from my truck, the boys excitement and anticipation turned into nervousness and hesitation. One little guy of 6-years-old looked down at the floor with a disappointed look in his face and asked me how old someone would have to be to use one of those saws. I told him I've seen boys as young as 4-years-old use them, so he is more than old enough to operate one. Well, after the guys were setting up the saws, and the boys and I were doing our pledges and oaths, I walked them into the room that we converted into a scroll saw workshop. I gave the boys my safety speech, handed out the safety glasses, and proceeded to explain all the things that would warrant us shutting off the saws and asking them to sit down away from the saw (screwing around, not watching where they are cutting, etc.). Once I was done with that, I demonstrated how to use a scroll saw with a practice template. Straight line, zig-zag and wavy line. After they boys felt that they got the concept, I had each boy grab an adult and a saw, and I passed out the practice boards and asked them to do the same thing I did. I'm telling you, if I didn't have 6-saws running at one time, you could have heard a pin drop. The boys were 100% focused on the saws. I saw the nervousness and hesitation slowly melt away and replaced with sheer enjoyment and amazement at their new found ability. After they started getting comfortable with the saws, I had them pick out the ornaments they wanted to make. I had prepared the pieces ahead of time with painters tape, then gluing the ornament templates to the tape, and pre-drilling any holes that they may have needed. The boys started cutting them out, and one by one, as they finished, the look of pride when they showed me what they did was so rewarding that it was worth spending well over my budget (I had $300 of my own cash set aside, and spent over $400). They peeled the tape off of their now scrolled out ornament and painted them up. They wanted to go back and make another one, but we had run out of time. We are going to do this again on December 15th, so I assured them that they would probably have enough time to make two more ornaments, so they were very happy with that. And, remember the 6-year-old I told you about? Well, I have to say, that little guy totally MASTERED the scroll saw. He chose a rather difficult Christmas Tree with multiple branches. This little guy stayed on the line the ENTIRE TIME! He had never even seen a scroll saw before Wednesday, let alone used one, and he had that little Wen scroll saw 100% under his control. He never broke a blade, or anything like that. For him, going from thinking he wasn't going to use a scroll saw to cranking out the best ornament of the evening was so rewarding for the both of us. I am very proud of all those boys, ranging from 5-years-old to 11-years-old. I still have a smile on my face from that night, and I am looking forward to the 15th as much as they are. Anyhow, I just wanted to share this with the community. Dan

Finished a couple of new patterns for the Christmas season, "The Birth of Christ" 385 cuts, and "Blessed Mother and Child" 170 cuts. My boss lady and I finished cutting them today. I will post the patterns in the new patterns section if anyone is interested.

How does Santa get into your house to leave gifts if you don't have a chimney? You leave him a magic key of course! It's a simple project, but I smile when I think of it becoming a family's Christmas eve tradition, putting the key out for Santa. It's a Steve Good pattern that I cut from recycled cedar trim from our house. Thanks for lookin'!

Hello , My latest work can do better probably

And that's a wrap... the season/year is over. Finished on a high note with 3 fabulous holiday markets in a row without any being rained out which is unusual. Today was amazing 70 degrees and sunny. Anyway, for those interested... This was my best year since beginning 5 years ago, even with 3 of my major events cancelled due to Covid. Sold a total of 772 pieces (443 puzzles and 359 key/leash racks). This year was only slightly better than my previous best year (2018) and that year I sold 1,112 puzzles and wasn't doing the racks back then. So I like the fact that I sold 350 fewer pieces but made as much in revenue due to the higher selling price of the racks. $33.86 avg price this year compared to $23.22 avg price in 2018. This year was 24 events (16 of which were my local weekly market) with the lowest event of the year being $355 and the highest being $4,120. Pics from today's final event.

Working on this for the grand daughters to enjoy still got a few more things to add but loving scrolling out the case and windows. Roly

If the compass on your GPS isn't working properly, it may be because I swiped the North Pole and stuck it in my front yard for Christmas.

I wish I had been involved more with dad when he had his woodworking shop ,good for you and your helpers for donating your time and money.

I am not a "leader" but I sure would have loved to have been one of your helpers that night. I always wished I would have had a grandchild to teach what I know but it was not to be. Keep up the great job you are doing. We need to nurture the future craftspeople or nothing will ever get fixed.

What a wonderful experience for all the children (and adults!)!!

Using up more scraps, birch I'm guessing, I thought this pattern from Steve was interesting to try. Ofcourse I added a light. Thought it would add to it. I used fd spiral #1.

Hi from Barbara As growing up I was always in trouble for been to slow. Now I have a hobby were the slower I go the easer the work is. My first job with hard rose white teak wood is putting my skills to task enjoying it so much. Just so different a experience to ply wood but just fun as well. My motor I am worried it will blow so I am taking it slow but loving every moment. Thanks to all who helped with tips and reminders as ply is different skill level.

I recently heard about something called watercolor crayons, and looked at a video talking about them. All the videos showed them being used on paper. I decided to give them a try on a wood project. I cut this out, and used 100% watercolor crayons on it Now I need you to tell me if you like the effect or not. Also, if you like the piece....lol

Jim, Thank you for your generousity of sharing the patterns, they surely portray the true REASON FOR THE SEASON. I will attempt to do these beautiful patterns justice as soon as I catch up ti=o my work schedule. A BLESSED Merry Christmas to you and your family. Rick

An easy way to eliminate staining entirely is to us hardwoods to cut your ornaments. I use Cherry, Maple, Mahogany, Red Oak, walnut, Sapele and what ever I have on hand. Applying an oil based topcoat will bring out the natural color and grain of the woods. I sell hundreds of ornaments a year, not a single one stained or painted!

Rubber gloves ,drop cloth, and a 1" brush and have at it . It sounds like a twenty minute job, Easy peasy!,

Outstanding.. Hope you took some pictures,, I would love to see some.. I can't help but believe with a little pr and campaining,,, you would get Wen of some similar company to donate s few saws... after all you are creating future customers for them and it would give them great publicity... What a great feeling this must have given you.. Good for you...

G'day all, The kids stuck their "baubles" on the tree today. I cut the circles and painted them white and the kids decorated them. They used hot melt glue, so I will have to place a screw in each one to stop them falling of. Would of used super glue but I reckon we would of ended up with a few nippers stuck to tree amongst the decos The local Men's shed made 14 trees from ply and gave one to each school to decorate and paint. May add a little tinsel, we'll see what the boss thinks.

I had a request for a cowboy boot ornament pattern. I have the one shown from Sue Mey but they don't like the hat in it. I could easily remove the hat but then I think it'd look pretty goofy with the one booth way off to the side with nothing on the other side, LOL Thanks for any leads on a pattern.

I cut two of these for son in laws. they both enjoy their beer and it is difficult to not see an open one in their hand at any time. Luckily they don't ever get obnoxious or irritating in any way when they are drinking but when I saw this Steve Good pattern, I just knew I had to cut one for each of them. The other one I cut with an orange background, just so they would not be exactly the same. I cut both of them from BB Ply was surprised that they did not take more time to cut as the font of the letters is fairly delicate but I was happy with the way they turned out, and I hope they like them as much as I enjoyed making them. Dick heppnerguy

I *think* I am done cutting Christmas ornaments for this year. My wife was going to paint them but has since decided we will stain them. I've got 21 ornaments and 2 wall scrolls to stain; all the same color. Has anyone suggestions for a good bulk stain process? I've 1 1/4 of the small cans of Minwax stain, so I don't think dipping will work. Thanks!

Welcome to the Village!! I'm assuming you're talking about a newer model Jet saw? They made some old saws that I would have no clue on.. send the model number of the saw and maybe someone can give some ideas to look at.

I received this email yesterday - maybe it will work for you! https://www.woodpeck.com/sapele-project-packs.html?trk_msg=14H0Q2P21E5418GHEMU5URE02S&trk_contact=RFJ6STQR8TGLM9BK98T7VHPCCS&trk_sid=P1H44OUPCNDRMCQ067UO5NLMVG&trk_link=K8090INOEHJ4N4UGM7NHME5BC0&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Woodpeckers+Woodshop&utm_campaign=12.04.21+Wood

Lol, if I had known that's all it took I'd done it years ago!

Great thing to do - thank you! When I was subbing at the elementary school I worked with a number of "difficult" kids. I had a room where I brought several guitars and amps. When kids were good I would allow them to play the guitars and show them some basic chords. The look of achievement on their faces was well worth the effort. There were several little guys that really took to it. At the end of the year, after contacting their parents, I let them pick out a guitar and amp to keep - they were so happy! The next fall I ran into one of them and asked if he was still playing it. He told me that he was now writing his own music!! You can never tell when something you do with kids will change their (and your) life! Thanks again for taking time with the kids!

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing both the story and your expertise. Merry Christmas!

Good work. Nothing pleases me more than good sales and I had two months now. Its good to see people out and about in these trying times. Roly

Luv it. looks great. Roly

Awesome job, I like building wood models of cars and trucks but it takes me forever to finish one. I sand and finish each part with shellac. I use several coats sanding between each coat and then finally put everything together.

very nice job

terrific work, they're beautiful

that's a wonderful thing your doing with the children.

I use plastic trays that Chinese take-out comes in or small disposable aluminum pans I get in at the dollar store. Pour the stain in there, dip, then pour the stain back in the can for the next time.

Great news indeed. Showing youngsters how to use their own hands to create a wooden project is to be congratulated and admired. Thank you for your involvement in possibly helping create some of tomorrows craftsmen. Also thank you for sharing a heart warming story.

You seem to have the cutting right, 'slow and steady' will see you through the hardest of woods. (and a sharp blade)

Superb, I will have to try one day

A well deserved result I think. You did very well setting this up. Congratulations. take care and stay safe

It is readily available Ray. I can find it at Woodcraft. There are two hardwood dealers in Ventura County that carry it: Conejo Hardwoods and stone in Thousand Oaks and Myan hardwoods in Camarillo. Also there is an online wood dealer in Arizona called Woodworkers Source. Of course these sources only sell 4/4 thick boards, so you have to mill to the thickness you need. Just today, I needed 1/4” board for Christmas gifts. I had a 4’ Sapele board that I resawed on my table saw then planed to 1/4”. Out of that 4’ board I got 8 1/4” blanks!

2 great patterns done by 2 great cutters

Beautiful, both of them. Marg

Love it and the note. I am sure it Santa will know how to use it. Well done. Marg

Beautiful! Both the projects and the patterns. You know I'll want to jump on them but I have several other patterns of yours that will be ahead of them.

I'll throw another variable into the equation. Different boards, of the same thickness and species of wood, will cut differently. Not something we usually consider, but it does happen. I was cutting some 1/2" red oak yesterday. I was having some difficulty, the blade seemed dull and tended to wander, even though it was a fresh blade. I double checked tension. Same result. I tried the same blade on a different piece of 1/2" red oak. It cut much better. I've cut cherry before that would burn as soon as the blade touched the wood. Different piece of cherry, same thickness, no burning.

Very nice Jim... You are a great designer...oh and the Boss lady...

I've been using 1/4" poplar for the ornaments. I have found that running about 1100 strokes/min (by my adjuster) and approx 1/2 turn on my tension rod (Hegner says 1 turn max) has been working best. I was running nearly wide open, so this is wicked slow by comparison. I am pretty sure I'm not side-loading the blade as I do check myself on that quite often; also I have been trying to check and re-set tension often since it seems to loosen on me. Cutting with the grain is sssssllllllooooooowwwwww going! I have to slow the strokes down and I know I am prob pushing to hard, but it seems like I can't cut with the grain otherwise. Since I changed my cutting speed and feed rates I haven't broken a blade in the last 10ish blades, so thats good. Will just keep going and change one thing at a time and sooner or later I will figure it out. Thanks!

Jim made me this pattern off a painting

If it is a real manufacturing issue there should be a significant number of "me too's". If not, then you might need to examine other possibilities. I have not had such an issue, but then I have not bought blades in the last several months and those I have seem to last a long time.

I've been experiencing the same thing lately with blades. I recently cut a piece that took a lot of blades to complete, 40 in all, I broke at least six of the blades before I even got them through the wood. These were from a reputable manufacturer and a know source. And yes, poo poo occurs

Yes many things we unconciously do during cutting may shorten a blade life but sometimes a blade just seems to have shorter than another blade from the same bundle. I have inserted a Pegas Mdf 5 and a Niqua uiltra that wouldn't cut at all , on examination bottom half of the teeth were missing don't think it was because of something I done. As I often say "Compost Happens"