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Aragorn, King of Gondor, from The Lord of the Rings. I put him, Gandalf, and a map of Middle Earth by my new reading chair. Now all I need is a little Halfling Leaf/Old Toby.

I have made this bird feeder about 6 times now. Up till now I have used plywood and each has disintegrated in a matter of a year or so. I was looking to purchase a marine grade plywood for this latest one but could not find any locally and to order on-line, the price was too high. I decided to try a different approach. Western Red Cedar. Cedar fences seem to last for many years, so maybe thisbird feeder will last for a while. I obtained the plans for this feeder a number of years ago. This version uses a modified version of the original scrollwork pattern and I have deviated significantly from their plans for the roof construction. I own a 12” planer but not a jointer. The maximum width available is eight inches, and I needed pieces up to 14” wide, so I was forced to edge join pieces to cut the parts from. I planed the rough nominal ¾” stock down to ½” and used biscuits however the joints were not all tight. Used lots of glue and sawdust to fill the joints. I wanted to make better looking sloping roof joints. So, after lots of calculations and some testing I finally got the four triangular roof pieces cut to the right size but unfortunately, I still did not figure out correctly what the bevel cut angle should be, so the pieces meet to form a nice joint, but I had to use scraps to fill the joints from the back side. Fortunately this is hidden by the inside ceiling of the feeder box. The scroll saw cut side walls were easy cutting using a Pegs #5 MGT R blade. I did not try to sand the cedar to a smooth finish. Where needed I used 80 grit paper to sand with, leaving a somewhat rough finish. Also, I was going to keep the cedar natural and let it turn grey/silver over time. However, my lady wanted it to be white, so I stained it white and then applied a coat of Polyurethane. The stain is somewhat transparent, so the grain still shows a little and the “Clear” Poly actually turned the white stain a little yellow. I don’t think the birds will care. Squirrels love to get to the bird seed, so I have two deterrents. First the metal pole is electrified so when the squirrels try to climb the pole, they get a shock. They learn fast not to climb the pole, but they still can jump over to the feeder from a nearby Fig tree. I have added a row of pointy nails facing out to the bottom piece where they land when they jump. Hoping they get stuck by the nails and learn not to jump. Not sure if this will work. They are smart critters. Here is a couple of pics. Aa always, comments and critiques are welcome.

Week was cut short as I had Monday and half of today out of the shop... But this is my small list of things for the week.. I don't usually work Fridays as the wife has Fridays off so that is our grocery & errands day. Only cut the backers for the John 3:16 and glued / finished them.. Cut the Love Corinthians 16:14 and backers on the Hegner using #3 Pegas MGT blade.. stack cut 3 then profile cut 6 using #7 Pegas MGT as I cut the profile of all of them together so they matched,LOL All the ornaments was cut with #5 Pegas MGT blade some were stacked as 3 since I had some leftover scraps that was already taped etc. Others was stack cut of 5. Trivets was cut from 1/2" Cherry using #5 Pegas blades as well..

Well I know I haven't been on in a few weeks, but I have been playing catchup. I have been real busy down in my shop, exploring a few different types of things I haven't done before, or in a long while. What I posted here here is just half of what I have done. I have been seeing Gnomes a lot, never done those, so I gave it a go, Hope it pays off this Spring. Made a few Cell Phone stands, working on a few more. Sponge Bob Model was a 1st. The Helicopter is a Pencil stand. I have a few more things in mind, I am anxious to try. I will try to get here a little more often. You here in The Village Take Care.

Well It is still February and I did make this...with a little help from a bandsaw (you can read more about that crazy hard "Red Heart" wood in the Q & A forum section if interested in my struggle ). But now I have some great suggestions from the Seasoned folks on here...Anyway here it is Happy late Valentines day!

I don't understand how some of you get so much done in so little time. I just can't do it no matter how hard I try. One thing is I'm 83 years old and can usually cut for about 2 hours. Sometimes when I don't hurt, 3 or 4 hours. At any rate, I envy those of you who can do it longer.n I'm just happy I can still do it. It is my joy in life. Jerry

This was a challenge for me. I have never made an intarsia pattern on my own before. My neighbor came to me with a photo of the military airplane he spent his 25 Canadian Air force carrier in. This aircraft was used to search the ocean waters for enemy subs. I found it very challenging for me because he kept changing what I was doing and he kept wanting it to be more of a model than an intarsia item. I was really wanting to making it just the way he wanted it but every change, along the way, put more doubt in my success to make it happen and added a lot of extra time to the process. This project is 28 inches long and approximately 14 inches high. I used a woodburner to make the stripe on the body of the plane black. Dick heppnerguy

Pattern by Roy King

Lasted just over two years.. I hooked it up back when I rebuilt the Excalibur in 2020.. 299.9 hours on the hour meter since rebuilt when the smoke roll out of the vacuum today.. LOL.. I might have to give one of these DeWalt Quiet vacuums a try to see how that works.. Certainly forgot how much sawdust I make but was inconveniently reminded when I stood up after finishing the puzzle I was making and my whole lap was covered in sawdust,

My Beloved Spouse and Shop Partner Penny and I are so enjoying time in our little shop learning to use our WEN 16 inch scroll saw. I made a riser for the foot switch as she's a foot shorter than am I. She's cut out rabbit profiles to represent our three grandchildren in a craft project, while I've drawn and cut out sunflowers. Loving our time together so very much. For 4 months Penny has been urging me to order the Jet 18 inch saw, which is the best size for the projects we want to do. Ratings are great in so many respects and the price point is OK for Penny and me. I'd been tracking the price at a big chain home store, and it, along with a major online retailer had the saw for sale for $709. When the home store raised their price early this week to $850, I feared the online retailer would soon follow suit. I finally broke down and honored Penny's request to turn loose of some money and with some trepidation, pressed the "place order" button. Penny was right. The online retailer sure enough raised their price also to $850 this morning. Whew. I'm both excited and relieved! As a "positive affirmation" some time back, and to use up some of the scrap pile of lumber, I kept moving in our seasonally cold shop and crafted a modified tilt top stand for either the new saw I'd hoped for one day or some other tooling. This one has a drawer and a sliding, removeable scrap bin, and room below for a small vacuum. Anyway I just wanted to share our excitement here that next week the second of a scroll saw pair will arrive. Don

Hello all, I don't make many boxes but thought I'd give this one a try. Quite pleased with how it turned out. Regards, Alan.

Thanks to @Dan for the pattern. I have the special order done. Took some "design" choices on the cutting. Some of the spaces were getting a little thin. Ended up having to cut a few extra. The first stack letters weren't so great. Increased the size of the pattern. Test cut the letters only. Had to cut an extra stack because there was a void in the middle layer of the middle stack, so he is getting 14 instead of the 12. Increased the size of the Grand Historian pattern just a titch more and changed the bridges on the "O". Cut with #3 FD Full reverse and finished by dipping into shellac.

Thank you each for the good thoughts. I agree about the scarcity of Jet talk. The Jet seems to live in the shadows of the Pegas, Hegner, DeWalt and Excalibers. This 18 inch one is the junior version of the full size Jet, and gets quite good reviews. I studied many videos and see many scrollers, as am I, are bottom feeders. So that shouldn't be an issue for me. Quality was big concern for me, what with reading of electronics failures, bad vibration problems and a few other things on some saw brands. I can only hope this Jet runs as well as our little 16 inch WEN. The Jet has a 5 year warranty that hopefully I will not have to test. The smaller 18 inch size will not be a limitation for Penny and me. Everything we want to craft will fit nicely into the 18.5 throat depth. In a positive affirmation I designed and made a second tilt top stand that builds on my first tilt top one. A 15 degree tilt, close tolerance hinges and steel pins that mate into moving parts keeps everything solid as on the first version. This one though has a large drawer and slide out lift-off waste and chip container. A 1 7/8 inch thick laminated yellow pine top, laminated 1 inch thick bottom shelf and better locking casters add to the package. All wood was scrap, pulled out of the home store trash can or from the home store 70% off lumber cart. Funny the suggestion was made that Penny take up quilting. Too late! She's a quilter from way back when before we met 17 years ago. Together she and I collected antique sewing machines, like our two Singer Featherweights and our 1920's hand crank Singer 209. She and I sometimes make quilts together. And she uses my saddle sewing machine Bertha Jo (300 pounds of sex in iron and steel). penny and I simply love being together. Crafting, talking, whatever. Here are pictures of the tilt top table V2.0: Thank you each again. Don.

really a beautifully done master piece, once more. I probably will never reach your skill level but I am not going to stop trying, as least not for some time. Dick heppnerguy

I can not believe how much planning went into making this piece. It turned out really swell, as everything I have seen you make always does. I guess the planning before hand has a lot to do with the success of your project. It is a real winner, for sure Dick heppnerguy

Great job Frank. Don't know how you di it but you did. I don't have a planner or a joiner so Im in trouble. LOL

That is awesome Charlie. You have those portraits down pretty good now.

Get her interested in quilting. My wife has two sewing machines that together cost more than all the tools I own... He has probably more invested in material and accessories, cutters, rulers, this and that than I could spend on tools. But it keeps her from being able to complain when I buy something for my hobby.

Congrats, Don. I wish my wife would become interested and want to participate in the craft. Currently she is into dog training and hopes to get the final degree on our oldest dog and then she starts all over again with our newest dog. Oh well, I must say it is peaceful out in my shop. I'm sure you'll enjoy you new saw. Maybe Penny will let you use it occasionally.

Congratulation! Always exciting to get a new saw. I do not read a lot about the Jet saws on this forum. I hope you will keep us informed about your new one.

A job well done. They will be impressed. Marg

That is so lovely, any bird would be happy to feed there and be seen. Look good in and yard. Excellent work Frank. Marg

You should take a holiday in New Zealand and visit the Lord of the Rings Village. I think that you can even stay in one of the huts now. Great work as always. Marg

Great work for sure!

I tried that once. I'm no longer allowed in Lowe's.

You did a great job! Thanks for sharing.

Very well done, Marg. Is the name plaques Your pattern?

Great work Marg. I like bamboo buy mine from the pound shops in UK cheap & cheerful. Roly

What dog breed is it? Should be able to find a silhouette image to use and place it into a circle shape for the ornament..

Got to tell you Folk. Meeting up with members in person is worth every effort. Dick and I have met several times in the past few years, Don't know about Dick, but I enjoyed every minute of it, as I enjoy any phone conversations we have. Scollingforsanity and I have got together a few times and are going to do some more when the weather get better, we can talk for hours also. Just something awesome of meeting up with other scroller and especially if they are members of the village. Then you get to talk about the rest of you people! Actually we do because it goes like: did you see that project so and so did?, I wonder how he/she did such and such... It is just special. And I have a few that are far away the call or message me, not necessarily members here, but scrollers/woodworkers... some from other countries...Make my life so much better and enjoyable. if you get a chance arrange a get together. You will not be sorry.

You are more modest than me,, I don't wear the cap!

Thank you Marg. I added the a Canadian marker today too Dick heppnerguy

Stop bragging. Lol.

I scroll naked! That way people who know don't interrupt me when I am in the shop... Any stranger the happens to come in does no stay but a split second. Don't even try to picture it Guaranteed to give you weeks of nightmares!

Not gonna tell ya what I wear while I'm scrolling! Unless you beg! LOL

Yes, the 1/4 inch Loc-Line not suitable for vacuum. I am using 3/4 inch on my Hegner for vacuum and works well. Here is A pic that I have posted before of my Hegner. This works for me. Others here have posted other variations that work well.

They also sell door skins, for resurfacing hollow core doors. They are simply glued onto the existing damaged side of the door and are quite thin. Available in different wood surfaces too. I haven't needed any in a very long time, but Lowes has Luan listed for this in 36 X 80" panels for $18, though they are not in stock at this time. Charley

It’s a Steve Good pattern that I added an inlay, red oak with bb inlay, cut with #3 pegas mg, thx RJ

Love1.pdf Love2.pdf

Thank you, I started painting a few years back. I just picked it back up recently and was glad to see that I haven't lost the Love for it, I hope to get better at it as I go along.

I agree. I've tried to make patterns in Inkscape and Gimp without success. I probably need to go over Travis' instructional videos in the University area again. In this particular pattern (above) I had the "cut out" area in black. I'm working on another pattern in Cute Cutter and realized you can change the black to gray which is my prefered shade so I can see the blade better. I then open the pattern in Inkscape and change the "stroke" to red. I agree you can't get extensively detailed patterns in Cute Cutter but when you don't know how to create patterns in other programs, it works better than nothing. I don't know what program you use but you are kill'in it making patterns.

Thanks Bill and Dakota, much appreciated!

Your own fault Kevin, You should never, let the smoke out:

WOW! I have always received good response for Seyco, hope nothing has happened to Ray. This is not good to read! I wanted to ask Advance Machinery a question yesterday, not important so I tried to email them using the email address in their contacts section. It is addressed to Wolfgang, I know he has pasts but thought someone else would respond. All I receive is invalid email address message. I ticks me off when companies do not keep things like that current.

Well, almost 4 months later, Seyco just replied to my email.. though they didn't answer any of my questions.. they only asked if they ever replied to my message and if things was resolved, LOL.. I just threw that vacuum out in the trash can last week, .. figures.. Not that they was probably going to work with me anyway since it was out of warranty I think.