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Hello everybody, after a long time of absence, I show you my last work, it took a long time. The pattern comes from Mike Williams See you soon. Eric

My wife and I watched the series, WEDNESDAY, on Netflix mostly to have something to watch with our 19 year old daughter. We actually really enjoyed it. I moved her in next to Herman Munster. I used black duck cloth attached to plywood as a backer since Wednesday looks good in black. I'll add the pattern, without the text, to the library. I bought the text file on Etsy.

Just want to thank everyone for input. Thanks to Charley L for all his suggestions. Thanks to Denny at Art Crafters Online for his suggestions and for meeting and discussing scroll sawing at his shop. As a side note, if your in the Dayton TN area stop in and see Denny Great person. Also we pickup some sweet corn in Dayton. Best we have ever eaten. As others have mentioned, taking your time is critical and using the right blade for you. Found out that everyone uses a different blade and what works for you is the best. For me I have found the Pegas #4 Super Skip to work for me in multiple materials. I have cut Poplar, Walnut, Cedar, Mahogany, Oak, Pine and Cherry with good results. I will use a home made clamp when cutting the second cut. I try to cut inside the material so there are no cuts to the outside. Make sure material is square. I have also cut the birds out of Purple Heart, Poplar, Cedar, Walnut, Pine, Bubinga, Padauk. Had some pen blanks that I cut them from. Really enjoy the 3D cutting. Jim

Here's something I just finished for my Granddaughter. Gramps (Paul) was good enough to do the pattern for me. I stacked cut3 of them with 1/8 B/B ply using a #3UR blade. Just going to give it a couple more coats of poly. The knives were a little tricky to do but I gave it my best shot.

Seems like all I am making lately are memorial items for friends and family. A good friend up in Kentucky Mom passed away recently. We had trip planned to go North with Kentucky being one of the stops. I saw barbs "Wings" plaque and thought that it would be nice for her. Made from 5/8'' Maple with 1/8" BBply for the backer. Used my go to blade FD UR1. The first pic was when it was laying out to dry, second pic was hanging on my shop wall,, pics didn't turn out well. I swear I spend more time finding the correct placement for patterns than cutting! I was trying to get the birds flying into that "light", ( the lighter spots of grain)

Just got this cut and I can't get out to the shop until tomorrow ( 93 in the shop ! ) to finish it. What color do you like best? I also have silver, but it didn't photograph well ( and maybe for the moon ? )

I have the same WEN belt/ Disc Sander! I also have the 20x1 inch belt/ Disc sander. I mainly use it for stropping my carving tools. But it is quick to change belts, so I use it for my smaller pieces, and it is right by my carving station. We need to come up with a better top vac too. I was thinking of something that sort of wraps around the blade area in a horseshoe shape. Still working it out in my mind, as it needs to adjust to the thickness of the wood.

Nice! What day do you watch Wednesday?

Some of my greatest memories from when young, were the time spent Jack Rabbit hunting. Walking through miles of sagebrush, cheatgrass and around cactus. Driving my Dad's old jeep through the same with buddies on the front fenders, and on the roof, hunting Jack Rabbits. My Favorite of all my hunting experiences. This place was over run with them.. Then the farms moved in and the farmer did not appreciate feeding their crops to the Jack Rabbits. So they started poisoning them. Now days I get more excited seeing a Jack Rabbit than I do a deer, fox, coyote, or wild turkey. They are almost all gone. So when I received my Woodworker's Pattern Book by Jacob and Wayne Fowler, and saw this pattern of a Jack Rabbit, I stopped all other projects and cut it. My memorial to Mr and Misses Jack Rabbit. "Thanks For The Memories" Cut in Monkey Pod. Added a little of a dramatic background for affect.

Here is a piece I just finished. More sanding to shape than carving, just playing with different techniques. The only carving was the bowl. I included a couple of photos of the slab of 3/4" dark walnut I cut it out from. You can also see the amount of shaping and sanding I did in the last image.

Been awhile since I posted. This last project took approximately 6 weeks to complete. Pattern by Lewis A. Jewell. Size is 45” w, 36” h. This is the third one I’ve done.

I made a wrinkly old man fishing for my pond out of tree limbs I was bored well I did scroll saw the fish. Roly

Beautiful piece Dick. One day, when I get some time again to do some hobby work, I hope to give something like this a try. I appreciate all the info you have shared here and elsewhere on your technique.

Trivet #2 of 8 patterns by Sue Mey. I used 1/2" Walnut approximately 8" square. Cut on the Pegas Scroll Saw using Pegas #3 MGT blades. A light sanding with the Sand Flee and Mac Mop then dipped in diluted Shellac. One coat spray Lacquer Clear Satin. Comments welcome.

Humm. I Thought I responded to this. Sure I had something smart to say about it. I'm thinking I type a response than accidentally click on the "other Media" button instead of "Submit Reply". Any way what I think I said although these are not patterns I would cut I do admire and appreciate the talent both in pattern making and scrolling... Really awesome work on both.

Excellent cutting, RJ

very nice job

I was a great series. Another great, limited series, was Kaleidoscope.

I came up with a way to hold my blades that are next in line on my hegner. As a bonus they hold your blade in place while you're tightening the clamp too. Note - The picture isn't necessarily where I intend on leaving the blade holders but just to show that they are magnetic.

If you are looking for a specific blade for this task, consider what attributes are required and which blade brings the most to the party. Fast cutting of thick material, with little concern for backside tearout or even how well the blade tracks. The above criteria would imply a large, aggressive blade. Looking at blade charts, you could probably start at a #7 and go up from there. As for tooth configuration, try to pick the one with the lowest TPI count. A skip tooth blade will have fewer teeth per inch than a crown tooth or reverse tooth blade. Bottom line, roughing out blanks is a pretty simple task. You aren't spending hours performing this task. Precision & appearance of the cut aren't big concerns. You literally could use anything that cuts wood. Don't over think it.

I'm very glad to hear that, Jerry. This is a great project to start with because it is not too complicated. Other beginning students of carved fretwork projects have completed nice "tigers" with these instructions. Often, I have suggested to my students to start by using one of their LEAST FAVORITE scroll saw pieces that are finished and are at least 1/2" thick. Start your carving on this If it doesn't work out, not too much is lost but a lot of learning is gained! Have fun. Dick

Dick, was able to find the issue of scrollsaw woodworking describing your technique. Ordered it today. Thanks Dick, Jerry

ooo pretty. nice method of fretwork and a 1.5" thick wood. Carving really adds to the piece.

Exceptional work. Love the subject as well as you choice of wood. Beautiful piece.

Thank you very much, Jerry. If you would like to see more pieces, check out my posts on this forum or look at the Member Gallery where more projects are posted, To see the largest collection of carved fretwork projects', go to pinterest.com/dickmiraglia, and click on Wildlife Interpretations in Wood. I have published articles in Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts, Creative Woodworks & Crafts, and Carving Magazine. Most of the articles are detailed instructions with loads of pictures and show how to do the power carving with a Dremel or Foredom rotary carver and which bits and burrs to use after the pattern is cut with the scroll saw,. Unfortunately, the publishing company of Creative Woodworks and Crafts has ceased publishing all of its magazines and the old copies can be hard to find, Sometimes, Google search or Etsy can help locate these older copies. The below listings might help: Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts Fall 2008, issue 32 Tiger Creative Woodworks & Crafts April 2010, issue 147, How to Choose the Right Scroll Pattern for Carving CW&C, March 2011 issue 155, Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot CW&C, MAY 2011,ISSUE 156, Pride of Africa, Lion Head CW&C, March 2013, issue 171 African Giraffe CW&C, Feb 2012 issue 162 Gold Canyon Bobcat CW&C, June 173, issue 173, Claudia's Grand Canyon Elk CW&C, Dec 2012, issue 169, Great Horned Owl Hope this helps locate some of these detailed instructions for you. Dick Mira

I did an experiment with blades this past weekend. Pegas, Flying Dutchman and Niqua. I found the #3 Pegas RS and the Modified geometry, although very sharp to be very aggressive in its cut. The #3 was harder to control vs the #5. Niqua is a rebranded Flying Dutchman. What I have found over the last 100 projects I have worked on, that I tend to go-to the Flying Dutchman #5 Ultra Reverse as my 'every-day blade". I control it very well from 1/4 to 3/4-inch wood. it cuts clean with no fuzzies, no need to sand my cuts either, saving time. It is not as aggressive as the Pegas, which fits my slow cutting style. That being said. Get yourself a mix of blades to experiment with, you will find what WORKS FOR YOU.

Dick, this is beautiful. I would really like to know how you do it. Perhaps a short video or perhaps any books or web site that might show this technique. Beautifully done, Jerry

fantastic job

Ralph, in my "Carved Fretwork" technique, the scroll work is completed before the carving is done.

Thanks Jim. The first two I’d made 22 years ago for my first grand kids are still in use and in beautiful shape. I still remember seeing the look on their faces when they received them at Christmas time; just priceless. This one I made for display at trade shows.

Dick, that is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, RJ

Mini Model A Cars. 6 models. Size is ¾” x 1 ⅝” x 2 ⅞”. Replenishing my stock. Toy cars, trains and planes I sell a lot of at the trade shows.

OK Ron, you have inspired me. Making one of these would be WAY out of my usual items. Since I have Grand kids giving me Great Grand kids, it time to try my hand at making one.

Awesome!!; very beautiful work Dick

An outstanding work of art !

Dick, that is absolutely beautiful and great work cutting through such thick wood....I love that Mahogany...so beautiful!

Wow Dick. Great job on that. How did you ever get the carving done, before or after cutting the pattern out.

That is wonderful! Awesome job!

Quite handsomely done, Dick. I second Dick's comments about the relief. It sure makes your great cutting Stand out...so to speak.

Playful Donkeys pattern by Jaeheon Yun in the book 20 Minute Scroll Saw Puzzles. Made from 3/4" Poplar and cut on the Pegas Scroll Saw using Pegas #3 MGT blades. A light sanding, dipped in diluted Shellac and then another light sanding. Comments welcome.

An easy cut with western red cedar, pattern from Sheila Landry

Don't get me wrong, I know it is crap compared to new ones. It is like saying the final goodbye to a dog. A $20 yard saw purchase that came with about 300 blades. It was my go to when the band saw is just too big. When I broke or bent a saw blade, the pinned blades were so darn easy to change. I've cut out a few hundred whales and sharks for decorations. I cut hundreds of small dowels to length by adding a make shift fence. It is now bouncing all around the table, from vibration. Sometimes when I turn it on, nothing happens until I tap the top of the blade holder. . Last week I cut out a half dozen whales out of water buffalo horn for a jewelry project I have in mind. I have an RBI over in the corner. I have to get the newer blade holders for it. The old blade holders are a PIA. I also have another yard sale scroll saw, a Skill brand. It runs nice, but again, the pinless blade holders are a PIA. I almost wish there was a way to use the pinned blades. If there is, I haven't figured it out. For my purposes, they make more sense. Maybe I just didn't look it over well enough. So after 10 years the old girl has now been in intensive care for a bit. This morning, even tapping on the top wouldn't get it going. I carried her out to put her in the trash and couldn't do it. There she sits on the porch step next to the trash can.