Leaderboard

Our club runs a 2 x 4 challenge every once and a while. You have to start with a standard 2 x 4 (3 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 8 feet ). There is a special award for using a SPF stud. These are my 2 entries for this year both out of an SPF stud from HD. I got a third for the Gnome. The Gnome is on a swing with a bird house in the back. Acrylic paint with an exterior urethane. The beard is a mixture of paint and drywall finish. The cat has a plastic insert for the flowers. Design was inspired by a dog Jesse did.

Other than a few practice patterns, this is my first cutting. 1/8 and1/2 BB. #5 MG. With stock prep, design time and other fiddling around, only took me 4.5 hours. I'm ready for production...

This is a post I did on my personal site. I thought this would be a good place to share it. And in some ways, it is a brag... after overcoming a not so brag from 40+ years ago. This all came to conclusion a week ago when Tara received my gift. Recently, Tara sent me a photo of the wooden gift I made for her back in High School over 40 years ago. I think we were sort of boyfriend/ girlfriend back then. I was 17 1/2, she was a sophomore at 15 y/o. But for sure, I couldn't help but laugh at the thought of my teenage self. A painted red pair of hearts cut out of wood? And did you notice, it was NOT my note on the backside. I didn't even sign it or put anything on the back. Yeah, uncouth and an amateur at "love". But as I was looking at the hearts... man, I had a steady hand! Most likely done on the HS shop bandsaw. Maybe lacking a bit of creativity, but a solid cut! But that burn line!!! Barf-o-matic! Seriously? A teen's attempt at "love"? Really? Was that the best I could come up with for Valentine's Day? I mean, I was no Michelangelo, but surely, I could have done better. Not even my handwriting on the back... Man was I a dummy back then. But then, as I looked at the photo, another thought popped into my head. Maybe I could redeem myself with an Intarsia gift - you know, something fancy and intricate that would show off my current woodworking skills (or lack thereof). Now, for those who don't know, Intarsia is a technique where you fit together small pieces of wood to create a pattern or design. It's like a jigsaw puzzle, but with wood. And let me tell you, it's not easy. In fact, it's downright frustrating at times. But hey, if it means impressing Tara 40+ years later, I'm willing to give it a shot. Of course, before she sent the photo there was a part of me that wondered if Tara even remembered the wooden hearts, I gave her. Maybe she tossed them in the trash as soon as I turned my back. Let's say, back then I was a bit of a putz. Well, one day she mentioned to me on Facebook that her mom had them in storage at her childhood home away in the attic. As I looked at the photo and was writing her a thank you note a thought came to mind. Perhaps she'll appreciate the effort to make her a new, improved gift. And who knows? Maybe this Intarsia creation will be the thing that makes her think, "Wow, this guy really knows his way around a piece of wood." So, wish me luck, folks. I'm off to create more Intarsia, and hopefully make up for my teenage lack of creativity and lack of couth. And if it doesn't work out, well, at least I'll have a good story to tell. Here is the starting work. The selection of wood (and this still has two or three more species added), and everything then cut out. . Edited to add an image of the completed project shipped to Tara. Yes... She loved it.

Those saguaros can be a bit tight and intimidating. But go slow helps. Also #1 and 2/0 blades act different. Practice with both blades. Different thickness of wood changes techniques also.

Going slow is critical to early success. In teaching my grandkids I found 3 things to be helpful: 1. The "wired edge" on a scroll saw blade results in an angled cut (around 3 to6 degrees). If you try to feed the blade straight on it will drift off the line. I drew a line on the table when I was just starting to help reinforce this counter intuitive fact. 2. Drill a blade-width hole in a practice piece, pass the blade through and tension it. Now practice rotating the work piece with very light pressure against the back edge of the blade. This will give you a feel for what it takes to turn those tight corners that are so daunting when learning to scroll. 3. Enjoy the journey.

I need a clock for my shop. A few weeks ago I asked, in PATTERN REQUEST, if anyone had a pattern for clock face for a shop clock that depicted Scrolling. Did not get any usable responses so I decided I needed to make my own. I believe I adopted the pattern of a “Person at a Scroll Saw” from Steve Good’s library quite a while ago, which I have been using to make my “Scroll Saw Art by Frank” signs and I have also included it in my Logo. I figured I could adapt the pattern by adding some bridges to make it a negative cutting and wrap the clock face hour numerals around it. I found a simple clock face I liked on-line. This is what I came up with. The clock face is a 10” diameter 5/32” thick solid core Maple cut panel affixed to a 10” diameter 1/4” BB Ply Backer painted rattle can Flat Black. The Pattern starts out as an 11” x 11” square. I cut the disk out after the cut panel and backer are glued together. The numerals were cut using a Pegas #0 Spiral Blade and the center pattern using a Pegas #3 MGT R blade. The assembled disk was protected with multiple coats of clear spray Acrylic finish. I purchased a “High Torque Long Shaft Quartz HR1688 Clock Movement Mechanism Replacement Clock Kit with 5.4 Inch Long Spade Hands for DIY Handicrafts Repair Clock Parts Shaft Lengths 22.5mm / 0.89 inch” for $9.49 from Amazon. I had used this item for the Dragon Clock I made a while ago that had a larger diameter and made athe mistake of just reordering the same one. The hands are too long for this smaller diameter clock. I should order new shorter hands, but probably won't bother. I made this clock too quickly and there are lots of goofs in both the cutting and finishing, but it will do for hanging in my shop. I will post the pattern in New Pattern Announcements’. Comments welcome but you can skip the critiques.

I used the Tree of Life pattern posted by @Eplfan2011 on March 15 and credited by him to site TreeofLife-trchkf.pdf where you can download it for free. I then tried filling it using the tutorial posted by @Tj Brown. I am reasonably pleased with it as a first attempt but I will try again, having learned from my mistakes.

I'm not quite ready for intarsia. Maybe tomorrow.

I tried to do this in Inkscape and you have the same issue if you just type. I then split the letters and found that the space aligns differently. If now distribute the letters you get the same size on both. A little work and would be easier to print off and realign.

I find, going slow is a good thing. Take your time when cutting, enjoy the process, and concentrate on nailing your guidelines. This will help you later on if you decide to do intarsia. Slow and steady wins the race! By nailing your lines, you reduce/eliminate recuts, and also additional fitting.

I made this for my little boy. He keeps playing with it.

Thanks for the suggestion, Ray. It's just an experiment. The cactus is on the bench getting Dremeled. Adding the ribs. Later, it'll get a water color pencil treatment. Then, I may hang it up as the first of, Im sure, many more to fill what will become the wall of infamy. Marie, patterns, at my stage of scrolling, would be a waste of paper and ink. I just used carbon paper to get the state and then drew that cactus...all directly on the plywood.

Gene, do yourself a favor and take those first cuttings and sign the back side and date them. Put them away for a year or so and then come back and see your improvement. Both in speed of cut and accuracy. My very first cutting was of a butterfly done in some scrap 5/16" BB ply. I hung it up in my shop and look at it every once in a while. I look at it and see where I had problems with turning tight corners or drifting off line. Those things now are not problems but it came with experience and seat time behind your sawblade. I tried reading books but they were of no use to me. I have gained EVERYTHING I know from right here at SSV. And practice, practice, practice. I noticed also that if I am away from the saw for a couple of weeks, when I come back, I have to regain some of the lost "muscle memory" that really goes away fast. So, I have learned that if I've been away from the saw, I do a practice cut of something to regain what I lost. Being 80 years old is not for the weak. For sure.

A trick I have occasionally used is to type the text/name in a PowerPoint and save as *.jpg. I can then import the *.jpg file into my pattern and stretch/resize it to fit. With a little practice you should be able to make this work and look good.

Been doing cutting of thicker hard woods for intarsia lately. My biggest problem is getting a 90° cut. Did not realize it until I watch the JGR video on "cutting of accuracy". (Actually it is her husband's video). Now that I am aware of it I really concentrate on it especially in turns,,, Getting much better. But i do have to go slower now.

Hi Jerry, I heard from Tyler and he said he adds spaces and sometimes has to redraw the brackets to get them to line up. That;s what i did to line mine up. The way I'm going to do it now is print out a few extra brackets and line them up to get them even and tape them on. Then I will scan that in to make one pattern. A little extra work but I tink it will work.

I just watched Denzel Washington In Magnificent Seven last week

Marie, you say you don't use patterns, what do you use, thx RJ

I am with you! I have made so many goofs but like Ray says, time in the seat really makes the difference. I don't use patterns so no worries for me for going outside the lines....but even without that, I still make screw ups. I really like your first picture. Love the Cactus!

Well I was able to make all my keychain compound labels. What I did was print out a bunch of blank labels and use spaces where I needed to and the ones that were short, I just cut the brackets off and taped them on the ends to even everything out. Pretty easy. Oh and by the way. On Steves program, I set the margin to 125% and it came out to a perfect one inch like Tyler did.

Thanks for all the kind words. TJ, @Tj Brown, I bet you did not have the great tutorial to help you on your first attempt.

I'd be ecstatic if you'd let me make it a threesome. (not a menage a trois) When it comes to strangeness, according to my family and friends, I definitely qualify.

I love that movie! I have it on blue ray. And Denzel is one of my favorites too. I have one of him on my wall already but I've thought about doing him from this movie to add to the cowboy section.

I have the WEN 3922 which I purchased about 2-months before the LL2156 was introduced to the market. It has served me well however there have been some issues. The blower bellows will wear out quickly. The first time it wore out I contacted WEN and they sent me a replacement under warranty. The second time I decided to go with a fish tank bubbler which has taken care of any bellows problems. One of the reasons I went with the 3922 was the design of the blade clamp over the 3921. These clamps will wear out and eventually strip but can be replaced for approximately $5 each. I order them by the dozen directly from WEN. As you would expect, this is an entry level scroll saw. I have ordered a Pegas 30-inch which should arrive in July. I have cut some nice pieces on the 3922 and I will keep it even after my new saw arrives. Steve Good did a video on the LL2156 that you can view from this here:

Can't help with the Wen. I have never seen one. But wanted to welcome you to the forum. Great place to learn many things. You wife need to join also. She will save herself some time and frustration by asking questions on here.

It may have been a coincidence. But 2 in a row made me go to Dewalt.

I have the Wen LL2156 21 inch. I bought it the end of December. I love it! Haven't had a bit of trouble with it. Steve Good has a good video on the Wen 21, check it out to give you a better idea. If your wife is just starting out I think she would be happy with the Wen 21.

You are right Ralph. Must have been looking at it with my bad eye. I think Tyler needs to explain it to us. Jerry

Awe inspiring stuff there!! Speaking of cowboys that are not white, maybe you can do the Blazing Saddles Sheriff. Love that movie.

When are you going to open you museum to the public! It will be on "The History" channel someday! Very cool collection. And I remember old Jack well. Great job.

Thank you!

So I have this beautiful Russ Beard Lion that I have started cutting, my idea is this is going to be the Centre piece, in front of this will be another animal and the behind the Lion will be another so in fact it will be a three layered project. Bring a ex photographer the back round is going to be and out of focus shot of the typical African Savanna with maybe some blue sky on the top. So here’s my question as can be seen from this pattern Russ let’s you cut through the board at the bottom and a bit on the sides, this would not matter if you were framing it, there’s going to be a front layer with a animal either in on the left or right side. Now would it matter if some of the black backer is can be seen at the bottom of the cut, because this will all be attached the the out of focus backing board.