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These past four years there have been Three Illinois state fairs. unfortunately last year was cancelled because of Covid. I generally choose a very detailed fretwork piece to enter into the IL state fairs woodworking scroll saw devision. I have finished 1st place in that woodworking devision for the last three years running. This year I decided on another clock. I will include it in this post as a jpeg. I have seen several places in this forum and other places people wanting to know what kind of blades they use. It is a personal preference for us all, however the following has helped me win first place three years running. Sharktooth #1 and 2 Various Pegas MGT or modified geometry for the line cuts and extreem cutouts Superior puzzle blades by Flying Dutchman for various wider cut outs This is all I use and since it has served me well, just thought some of you might like to know ds

Here is one more effort to try and figure out how to add color to my projects when I think it will help to make it stand out and be a little more appealing. I do think I am slowly catching on to it but still have a ways to go, for sure. I am not an artist and I am trying to figure all this out by trying to pay attention to what others are doing and grab a little information from each one. Because it is not an natural art I posses, it is a very slow process indeed. I probably will not ever tot ally understand it but I do believe I will get better as I go, after all, it is obviously the only direction I can go. Dick heppnerguy

This vase (pattern by Steve Good) was part of the meeting of the Scrollers Chapter of the Central Indiana Woodworkers. We used the flower pattern to test how polymer clays could enhance our scrolled projects. Other items, like keychains, could be use for clays. We learned the clay is very hard after it is baked. The best way is to insert the clay is from the back of the item and push it into the hole. We got a used toaster oven from Good Will that is used only for baking clays. Plus when pushing the clay in, we used a stone below the item to prevent any chemicals from the clay to leach out. You will notice, there is a slight bulge on the material after it is baked.

I have always loved the NW Costal Native American Art. This is one I did from a picture by Glen Rabena called "Kingfisher". I will frame it when I decide what would be appropriate. Done in 1/4" BB. Cut mostly with a size 0 Pegas Double skip tooth.

The real old Hawk 212, 214, 216 and even some of the 220's had to have tools like this.. these saws are from the early 1980's.. Over the years they improved them and I would say they are more like how you would do on the Hegner where you remove the lower clamp and insert it into the holder to loosen and tighten the thumb screw ( well Hegner has that clock type wrench instead of the thumb screw that Hawk "upgraded to " LOL ) They ran with this set up for most of the Hawk years until around 2004-5 when they came out with the G426 and the newest BM series... They require no tools.. while the blade holders ( both top and bottom ) are removable and just held in with spring metal clips much like the lower on the Hegner.. They still have a spot on the saw where "if you want / need too " remove the holders to change a blade you can still use the slot to hold the blade holder while you loosen the thumb screw.. however it isn't really necessary on the new BM series saws.. In fact you can top or bottom feed on the new saw models... The new models also have adjustable lower blade head where you can adjust how aggressive of a cut you like.. The Hawk Ultras also have adjustable lower blade but it's only 2 positions where as the new saws are variable adjustable by just turning the screw moves the head forward or back.. so you can really hone in to the perfect positions for said projects.. Too bad Hegner hasn't come up with something like that.. as it's wonderful to get a perfect up / down stroke for that real thin stuff.. that would be a bit aggressive on the Hegner..

thank you Namunolie, I am just trying to learn to use the Dremel a little more so the more I try the better I should be able to do Dick heppnerguy I haven't your talent but I still enjoy trying to do a little better as time goes by. A little more difficult as I get older but I am not giving up yet, not at only 83 years old, anyway Dick heppnerguy

Some quick little cars/truck/train made with scrap 2x4s for little hands. All gone already to new little hands!

These are gifts for neices and nephews.

Here's a Steve Good pattern I started to cut out over a year ago. I cut out about about 50 of the 250 holes and then many of life's distractions got in the way (plus I lost interest in it). This weekend I was looking forward to attending a Farmers' Market, but it got rained out - we got 3+ inches in a 24 hour period. So that freed up time to do something else. Spotted this in the garage and had a good l-o-n-g visit with the scroll saw. Now to finish it up with a little light sanding, staining, and mounting. 1/8" Baltic Birch, stacked and used # 1 and #3 Pegas MGT blades. I like it but I think it will be a while before I tackle something like it again.

Sort of a whimsical portrait of Frodo Baggins. About 6” X 7”. Very fun relaxing cut, except maybe the eyes.

This pattern is a JGR pattern that I purchased a few months ago and finally got around to cutting it. It took me 3 days to make and I added a little bit of texture for added interest, as I usually haven't done that because I thought I did not have the tools neccesary to do it. I finally tried to add the texture using my Dremel and it worked fairly well. I used several kinds of woods, It isn't perfect but i am glad to be at least making an effort to get back to doing some of them. Dick heppnerguy

Paul, that is an excellent piece of craftsmanship, RJ

Clean and colorful. Outstanding!

We are going in circles, I follow you!

The new Hawks Do Not Require any tools to change the blade. It's a simple process of just putting the blade down through the table, insert the blade into the lower clamp, then insert the blade into the top clamp. It can be done in seconds! My old RBI used the barrel clamps, it took a few extra seconds to load the barrel and insert up through the table but it was super easy to do. I absolutely love my new Bushton Hawk! Especially due to the much larger table. The Lady that I gave my old saw to loves it and she learned quickly on it. Dick

very nicely done!

Great job, Dick. I still have not finished sanding the pieces on my first real intarsia project. Maybe someday I will get back to it.. Wait, I maybe running out of somedays. Guess I need to work harder.

My Hegner does not take 2 tools to put the blade in the top clamp. That setup on the that Hawk is almost as bad as the old craftsman I started with. Took two tools on both upper and lower clamps to install a blade. Do the new Hawks require tools to install blades? Hegner requires a special wrench to do the bottom, but it is straight forward and easy.

That is fantastic Dick. The texture looks great. Marg

They are beautiful Frank, your son and daughter will we so pleased with them. Marg

Great job! I love beavers. I used to fish in a pond with lots of them and they’d slap the water with their tails right next to my boat and make me jump. Love how you did the textures plus the wood grain is awesome.

I know what you mean. I always start with the eyes when making a pattern and many times never got past them.

Right about the 11 minute mark is where it shows how to change blades on a 216 Hawk... the 214 would be the same way.. the larger saws have a little different system.. Or watch the whole video.. might educate you on the saws and inspire you to buy a easier model to use...

I got my hawk 3 years ago. I had to get used to the feel of inserting the blade holder in the front position of the lower arm. The back position is a bit too agressive for me. Sometimes I still have to look under to see if I have it to far back. I don't think there is a way to attach pinned blades to the top. If there is a way, there is not a good selection of pinned blades. Me. Matk Eason

Yes Marcie the weather is getting better. It has been in the mid 60's at 5:30 when I go for my walk and now it has dropped to the low 100's but double digits are in the forecast for next weekend. Glad you enjoyed my latest intarsia effort Dick heppnerguy

Thank you I am experimenting with adding a little more detail with my Dremel tool. Makes the projects a little more interesting, I believe Dick heppnerguy

These projects are not as much work as they might appear. Yes, the scroll saw images are delicate, but stack cutting makes the cutting time rather quick. Esch pattern was stack cut in one sitting in under 3 hours. The use of spiral blades does speed up the cutting also. The table saw work and assembly needs to be carefully done and in the corrrect order to avoid errors in the fit up. Strap clamps make the glue-up easy, but glue drying takes time...but not much work. If the wood is presanded, final sanding is minimal and a lacquer finish is easy-peasy...spray/dry/spray/dry, repeat as needed to get a nice smooth finish. Sanding between coats is unnecessary. So, these Night Light projects are a little time consuming, but, really, not much work.

My brand new one did this soft start thing, ran fine once it kicked on though. It ended up being an issue with the switch. They sent me another one and it has never done it again. Fingers crossed.

Joe, that is excellent cutting, RJ

You mentioned the eyes were a problem... but I'll have to say you did an outstanding job with the eye. When I'm doing a person or animal pattern I have one eye looking like is supposed to and the other is trying to look around the corner. I'm not much of a "Lord of the Rings" fan but will say you did a great job. I had no trouble recognizing who it was.

That looks like it would be a fun pattern. I'm like Frank, give me lots of fretwork and I'm happy. You did a great job on these and I'd like to see how you finish them out.

Another awesome piece, Dick.

Thank you.

it look fantastic with your Dremel work

Well, I used the grinder this morning with a metal cutoff wheel on it to cut 8 3/4" U-bolts at the salvage yard.. It sure has a lot of power and buzzed right through.. The air cutoff wheel I use in my shop here at home slows up some when you get into the thick part of the bolt so I was pleasantly surprised with the power of the grinder. It paid for itself this morning so anything beyond this is a plus.. I can say that it was quite comfortable to hold onto since I'm used to having to work around the air hose etc with the air one.. This one might just replace that air powered one.. I may use it more than I originally thought, LOL Now to the funny / not so funny part.. I was cutting off leaf spring brackets / mounts from a dodge truck as I needed new ones and nobody makes / sells new.. nor will most yards sell just the brackets as they want to sell the whole spring assembly.. anyway to get to my point.. the first one I took off was right there in the open as the tire was already off and that side was already jacked up and setting on some other pile of junk so it was up in the air already.. I bust my butt to get cleared out for the other side and get it up in the air etc.. cut the bolts and grabbed the piece and on my way back to my wheelbarrow to take my parts up to pay.. there lay a real nice one already off and half sunk into the ground in the roadway.. Go figure.. just proof that I always do everything the hard way, LOL

Charlie, I really like the simplicity of this one. I too, love the way you did his hair.... Excellent work as always!

Dick, excellent! Love the Beaver....hope the weather is treating you kindly now that Fall is here.

The texturing makes the beaver look alive. Very nice. That Dremel tool comes in handy for a lot of things. Very nice Dick, very nice. Jerry

WOW blue ribbon quality excellent work Dick

Another well done!

excellent job

awesome job

Ok, I post the pictures again, hopefully everybody can see them.

Excellent cutting, RJ

awesome job

I have two. The Rose is one I have been working on already (I believe I posted the pick in the past), but I finally decided on a background and finish. Made this one for my Mom. I finished it with Walnut Danish oil for the rose, and a Mahogany stain for the back ground. The Labrador is for a dear friend of my Dads. He had a yellow lab that was his pride and joy. He passed a few years back but he still comes up in conversations now and then. I thought I'd make him something as a remembrance. As you can see, I have a ways to go on it.

Horse ornaments!

My latest project is my bathroom cabinet which I put in the "Other works" forum....I am amazed how much I miss using my scroll saw. So here is the latest one I finished which I submitted in the bragging section awhile back. Hope to saw more fun items soon!