Leaderboard

I've cut out one of these not too long after getting into this addiction. Sold it and finally cut out this one. Backer is next on the list soon as I the new printer gets delivered Wednesday. Got 4+ years out of the old one with over 22k printed pages. Switching from HP cartridge to Cannon tank printer. Anyway, still using up the leftover Canadian Cedar. Planed it down to 3/4". Will finish with Watco Danish Natural unless I can think of something better. Used #5 Pegas MGT blades for interior cuts.

These are special requests for a friend. Fynn is for their first grandson. The parents are avid kayakers, so it is shaped like a kayak with the paddle. The paddle does come out as well. I also paint the backer to match the letters. Especially important when there are two letters the same! Cut from 3/4" plywood, backer is 1/8" plywood. Cut with #5 MG blade. Finish is Walrus Oil. Pig & rooster is a Steve Good pattern. Their other daughter-in-law dabbles in farming. She has raised heritage chickens and recently pigs. We bought 1/2 a pig for our freezer! Cut from 1/4 ply with #3 MG blade. Paint is acrylic craft paint. Finished with Walrus oil.

The first picture is the Cutoffs from other projects and the second picture is what I made from them. Lots of glueing boards together and resawing on bandsaw. Took about a month to make it out of red oak and I didn’t use them all.

I have spent the last couple of weeks making this 14” x 11” Framed Art Panel while I documented nearly every step along the way in photos. I have also spent many hours writing a detailed description of each step to accompany the photos. This work resulted in a 28-page Tutorial I produced and will provide, in PDF format, in a separate post you will find in the Learning Center, Works In Progress & Tutorials, for anyone who may be interested. The Tutorial is a step-by-step documentation of how I go about creating a piece of Scroll Saw Art MY WAY from concept to completion. It includes nine major steps: 1 - Concept, 2 - Creating the Scroll Saw Pattern in Inkscape, 3 – Choosing and preparing the panels, 4 - Scrolling the Cut Panel, 5- Adding Color, 6 – Art Panel assembly, 7 - Adding Logo, 8 - Finishing the Panel, and 9 - Making the Frame. If you want to know more about this project and/or are interested in MY WAY of doing this kind of project, please download the PDF titled: Art by Sam Savitt Interpreted in Wood with a Scroll Saw - A step-by-step Informational Tutorial by FrankEV. (pdf file name is: A step by step Tutorial by FrankEV.pdf) I will aslo post the pattern in Pattern Exchange

I am not a fan of laser cutting takes away of craftmanship and scrollwork and woodworking. Go to the stores and thats all you find there. I guess thats the age were in now. I did a show yesterday and myself and another person did real woodwork and a lot of oldtimers are gone.

One more Christmas countdown calendar, belt consists of 2 replaceable parts with digits. Also here is a short video preview to show how it works. Which one do you like more? I attached image with both calendars. Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexFoxUA

I have been on a crunch with my biggest show coming up next week. This is a set of patterns by Sheila Landry. The Sleigh is made from 1/4” Maple and 3/8” Sapele for the runners. The reindeer are made from 1/2” and 1/4” Cherry. For size reference, the board they are on is 4’ long. I’m pricing the set at $250!

This project is my own design, and this finished product was an experiment. I was asked if I could make a small plug in Nite Light with a Dragonfly Shade. I told the lady that I thought I could, and she should get back to me after she returns home up north, and I would show her what I come up with. The panels are 4” square. The Dragonfly Image is from a bundle of Dragonfly SVG files I purchased from Etsy. I added some cattails for background and positioned the image in a surrounding, 1/4" wide, perimeter border. The panels were stack cut face to face out of 5/32” solid core Maple Ply from my, ever growing, pile of cut offs. I mitered one edge of each panel where they will be joined together to form a 90-degree open shade. I cut a triangular piece of the same 5/32” thick material to act as a base for the bottom of the shade. Glue up was a catastrophe. When I do more of these, which I plan to do, I will need to make a jig to hold the panels while being glued along the one mitered edge. And, also, to hold it while gluing in the triangular piece for the bottom. For this one, I wound up using AC glue because there was no way to clamp the parts together. After it was finally assembled, it looked OK and I should have just applied a clear coat to finish it, but I decided I wanted it to be darker, so I decided to Air Brush it a darker color. The first coat I applied looked horrible, so I did a second coat that made it a darker muddy Brown. Now it was too dark so, I added a light purple color just to the Dragonfly. Admittedly not well done, and it needed touch up that I did not do well, as is very noticeable in the photos. OK, after finally applying a Clear Gloss Acrylic protective coating, I glued in, the Orange plastic which I had previously applied a velum sheet to the inside to make translucent. The Nite Light itself is a product from Florida Shells and Gifts.com but I originally ordered them on Esty. They don’t appear on the Florida Shells and Gifts website. However, you can find them by searching Esty for: 3 Pack: Night Light Base Set - Standard On/Off Switch - complete with Bulb and Mounting Clip - DIY Night Light Parts. They are also available as a Single or 6 Pack. They each come with a clip that you can use to attach something (like the shells they sell) to act as a shade. I first tried to cut the shape of the clip out of the bottom triangular piece, but it had no give, so it would not slip on and when I opened it up just a little it became too loose to hold the shade in place. So, I opened the cutout area more, I created a slot for the clip, and then secured the clip to the wood with AC Glue. All in all, when viewed from a distance during the day when unlit, it looks OK. When it is in a dark room, and it is lit, it looks great! The cutting took less than an hour. The assembly and finishing took much longer than I will admit to. Unlit Lit Inside upside down showing the glued in clip Comments and critiques are not just wecomed, I really need to hear them. I’ll post just the Pattern of the Dragonfly panel in Pattern Exchange. However, if you decide to try and make one, you are on your own after that.

I participated at a local craft show over the weekend. To my surprise there were a lot of "crafters" selling items made in China. I thought crafts were items people made.

Like with any tool there is always danger and proper technique and use of tool is always paramount. This is how accidents happen. With all these new cheap lasers hitting the market as well as all these 3D printers these days, people are just not aware of the dangers not only from the beams but the fumes coming off these burning tools. that is why ventilation is a key when setting up in a shop. Just like working on computers all day can effect eye sight so can sharp blasts of light from lasers. I seen people bring scrollsaws and lathes to shows and yes scrollsaws are less dangerous but lathes can get dangerous if you have chips flying around and no barriers. Most shows do not allow these unless properly set up. Me being an outspoken person, I would have said something to them for sure. Just imagine the vendor next to them all day. You want to do custom work then take orders and ship. All part of business. One lawsuit in this lawsuit happy society these days and you lost everything. not good. With that said, good to see craft shows are still hanging around and getting to see other's talents is always what drove me into this in the first place. When I do shows I always loved seeing people's reactions and talking to them to get feedback and input. Those were special qualities I found best when on the circuit because it is instant feedback and knowledge. if doing web sites it is tough because all you have is wait and see if items sell or not and what price points. love seeing the talented artisans.

My version of f Alex Fox's new pattern. 25 days till Christmas. Great pattern, easy to cut. For me harder to paint and put together.. Thank you @alexfox Mr Fox. I Decided to paint my visa what his pattern shows of dark/light layers. I am not a good painter but happy with the results. Put me in the Christmas Sprit just to make it.

First Christmas thing I've made this year. Gorgeous piece of walnut. 5 1/2" nativity made for my daughter's dorm room.

Made this for my Marine hubby for Veterans day.

So this is a big show that's been happening for quite a few years and it's always packed with both vendors and shoppers, even a waiting list to be a vendor... Not much for scroll work there at all.. there was 3 - 4 different vendors with turned pens.. couple vendors with turned bowls and some salt / pepper grinders.. one person have a few CNC signs and cribbage boards. Didn't see much of anything laser work until we got way down to the one end in a hallway ( was at a school ) and to my surprise there was some laser stuff but what was more surprising than that was the fact they allowed him to have his open framed laser engraver set up and was doing custom orders on the spot.. I cannot believe this would be allowed for many reasons besides the smoke that comes off these, LOL.. These kind of machines are supposed to give out special glasses to where in case a laser beam reflects off of something... In my mind this is like taking a cutting torch and cutting metal in a school hallway, LOL.. I do not get how this was allowed at all or even how the vendor even remotely thought it would be acceptable.. not to mention the liability of possibly blinding someone.. I realize for the most part with common sense these are fairly safe to run.. but you just don't know how much common sense a customer or a customers child might have if they seen the thing running.. Now.. if this was a outside event.. Maybe could sort of... nope.. still can't see having a open frame laser running where customers would be able to watch... Now, maybe he never fired the machine? I do not know... I never seen him running it.. but it was there and set up with the computer hooked up and he was messing on the computer doing some graphics work and had some people standing around him.. May have been a customer working on a design and then once agreed maybe he fired up the laser.. I'm not sure but I can say I sure don't think this would be allowed..

It just depends on the venue. The Farmers Market I used to sell at required crafters to make their own items, their are always cheaters, but the FM bylaws require vendors to allow inspection of their facilities; and that includes Farmers. The current leadership of the market is relaxing quite a bit of the rules, one reason (of many) that I chose to not be a vendor there anymore. Before I will apply to a craft show I will do a walk through, too many resellers and it's a hard no.

yes the juried shows are tough to come by these days but were the norm in the older days. Today if you have cash they take you in. I was at 2 shows that I did years ago where 3 crafters were asked to leave in the middle of the show because they had made in China stickers on the items they were selling. I remember this well because one of the so called crafters then went around to many other crafters and stared looking for same labels. when she picked mine up i told her you will never find one here. All made by me by hand. But nice try.

Most folks make or buy enclosures that have the proper colored view ports. I just wear glasses but I don't invite onlookers, either. To date, I've not actually cut anything. It's just engraving.

You might want to go to loc-line.com and check out all the attachments and items they have. Not sure you Can still buy directly from their site anymore, use to be able to. That is where I got most of mine.

A house warming present for my neighbor. They did the paint. It's a Jim Blume pattern

Today I sold my Canary Wood Christmas tree nativity (image attached) for $100.00 to a Spanish Officer at NATO. This was one of my pieces I was most proud of. I had over 12 hours of drilling and cutting in this piece. The fine details and lines surprised me. "Damn.. I did it without breaking!" I currently have a few more smaller tealight nativities ready to cut this weekend. But the other images attached show my current big project. It is 3 layers, and I will use colored 'fairly" lights to illuminate it from behind. I still need to decide how far apart I am going to space the layers, but that's the easy part. I have completed layer one, and yesterday I finished cutting the perimeter of layer two. Although not as intricate as the tree, it is a challenging piece. I am taking a four-day weekend starting tomorrow, so I will have a lot of shop time. I am thinking of changing the cross on the 2nd church to a Star of David. I think that will balance this winter scene as it is reminiscent of the small town I grew up in. I am using FD Ultra Reverse #1 and #3 blades. 1/4 Cherry for first two layers. Last layer 1/4 Mahogany.

"Another" Steve Good design cut out on a hellishly hard pine board... Wondered to myself afterwards why I bothered to spend so much time painting the insides of the eyes black instead of leaving the bare wood look.

I am working on a more complicated wooden project but to get a rest i made this. Wooden 3D Dolphin Puzzle from Ash Wood. It is a nice gift for kids to improve their brain motor functions. Wooden 3d Puzzle Dolphin.mp4

This project was cut on a 16" x 10" x 5/8" piece of salvaged American Chestnut using patterns by Jacob Fowler and Sue Walters for the scrollsawing which I then modified during the carving process. It was stained with artist oil paints and finished with Minwax Polycrylic finish. The Chestnut seen in the background was not stained and this is the natural color of the wood. It was easy to see why Chestnut was so popular among the early American furniture craftsmen because of its workability and finishing qualities. Dick

I believe this can be put under the Bragging Rights forum very easily. Many beautiful pieces have passed through this site over the years and many of you either sell your items or give them away to family and friends and charities. So the question is what over the years has been your best seller or piece that gets asked for or you just decide to make and hand out. ?? Or both? What seller and what hand out? I will start and must preface this by saying I have been selling and making things for friends and family for over 40 years now and have made over 500 different items. Would have to pull out the records to know exact numbers and even that would not tell the whole story because I use to make things for Steebar many moons ago when the original owner was still alive and they were a good company to deal with. He would put them in his catalog. Many times John Nelson made the patterns that I would do prototype of and work out tweaks. But these watches have to be #1 for sales. and the heart has also a lot of sales but is also one that I gave out very often because it fits homes well. So lets see yours too.

Good work Charlie. Roly

Thanks Paul, It looks like you can...remind me of putting together legos!

nice job

excellent job

Thank you...would you recommend two kits or is one kit long enough? Thanks again

Wow I really did not think anyone really remembered me and here you are remembering a request I had. Yes since that time I have gathered a few patterns of trains from other woodworking sites as they were gracious to give me links. I just checked your link and have to say it is exactly what i wanted. They have so many different trains and cars to go with. This is the direction I want to take my woodworking skills in, Being I am phasing out of scrolling, I still can use that skill to enhance many items in those plans. A++++++ on the site and thank you for the link and remembering. Have to saw WOW again. Thank You!!!

Nice work Joe!

"Schwibbogen" is the German word for candle arch. Attached is a 1939 Saxony design I just finished cutting out.

Great ideas. I think I’m gonna check out trying the same.

Okay, when I am wrong, I own up to it this is not a schwibbogen. Schwibbogens have an arch. Doesn't look like this one does. does not matter it is still going to be very neat! But I have fun re-learning how to spill the word it is fun to say. This picture is a schwibbogen.

My 30 days project has an end now. Enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-wVfBc--YQ

Someone one the forum posted a photo and this was in it. It grabbed my attention - thinking: "Surely someone will want to buy this as a gag gift." We'll see if I'm right next month; got an event to set up my offerings. P.S. A Steve Good pattern. 3/4" white oak. I cut most of the outline with a bandsaw and #5 Pegas blades with the rest.

I finished this Jim Blume pattern this afternoon and the wife dubbed it as being one of my best pieces. I'm not so sure about that but I will say it is an outstanding pattern and a lot of fun to cut. I tried to find my directions to count the number of cuts using Inkscape but never could locate them among my "never lose anything" filing system I have set up on my computer. This was cut using the Blonde wood I had located at Lowe's with a Birch backer. The piece is stained with Ipswich and the backer is stained with Ebony. Four coats of Polyacrylic and pre-fab framing material provided the finish. I do spline my frames. Despite the many holes, the piece is quite easy to cut. There is only one delicate area, that being the lower part of the eagle's neck... the part just under his beak. I encourage you to give it a try.

UPDATE; She forgot another one. Will they never end. WHEN THEY ARE ALL FINISHED there will be 31 in total. Marg

Sikorsky S-76B Sikorsky had a long history of military and utility helicopters and the dual engine S-76 was their initial entry into the executive helicopter market based on their success with the Black Hawk helicopter UH-60. Their objective was to enter the inner City, point-to-point, EMS and utility transport, especially for off shore oil rig personnel. The first “A” models went into operation in 1977 and had a capacity of up to 13 passengers but most executive models are configured for 5-6 seats with a crew of 2. The aircraft has gone through many model upgrades (A, B, C, C++, D) also with various engines to improve noise reduction, performance and extended distance. The B model operated dual Pratt & Whitney PT-6 engines similar to the ones use on several corporate and commuter turboprop aircraft. In a previous life I had a lot exposure to this aircraft. My company did a lot of avionics upgrade to these aircraft to include radars, radios, navigations/gps systems, inflight phones and entertainment systems. United Technology had a service center close to where I lived and I would spec out work packages and went on many test flights. I had fond memories of S-76B N500WK. It was managed by Wayfarer Ketch Corp and owned by David Rockefeller and our company had quoted a major avionics upgrade package that needed to be inspected at our facility in NH before the work could be started. It was about an hour flight up and back to MHT from POU. It was a great flying over western Connecticut, Mass and southern NH. Weather was perfect. A few weeks later we started the project. Great memory. Th plaque is 15 x 10 1/8” BBPW with ¼” backer, Finish shellac with Gloss lacquer.

#ArtisanPirate

After the positive comments on my last post I now feel confident enough to post some earlier projects. Many thanks to Steve and his generosity.

Here ya go BadBob, these are the only ornaments I have left. I sold 15 of them at a show yesterday. I will add that I reduce the birdhouse patterns to 84%. That brings the square stock down to 1 1/4”.

I do not normally sell things. But on request I did sell 4 of these for $125 ea. One buyer said when he picked his up said $125 was not really enough and gave me another $10.

Love this beautiful piece of live edge Cherry. Pattern is in the Library. For some reason it's blurry until you click on it.

Last puzzle for the upcoming craft sale. Cut from Poplar with MG#5 blade. I have painted the hardboard backer to represent the sea. There are about 4 shades of blue that I sponged on. Didn't get a picture of the backer. I have priced it at $50 so we'll see!

I use it to stick wood patterns to wood stock for pattern routing. It holds well for that purpose. It's a bear to remove, though. After you peel off it's protective cover, what's left is the relatively thick adhesive. I have to roll it off the project piece with a thumb. It would be quite expensive to use it to hold paper scroll patterns. And, I'm not sure it wouldn't gum up a scroll saw blade.

Here is my attempt at this great pattern. Not sure what the wood is, except thin! This is only my third attempt at spirals. Used a #1. Some lines became suggestions . Finished with beeswax/mineral oil.

I agree with Joe, the Penny drop game is my best seller also, a lady ordered 4 about 2 months ago and then while a was making them she wants to increase to 6, she just ordered 6 more last week. I just cannot keep any in the inventory. I have 3 shows coming before Christmas and I have only 7 in stock

Kevin I do remember Sylvia but remember her as JR. Ranger or something like that if we are talking about the same person. She made me some patterns over the years. I asked her to make some patterns for spinning tops that I was making and they became big over the years when I first started turning on a lathe some time ago now. I wanted to combine my scrolling and my turning hobbies and this is what I came up with. There was and I believe there still is a huge spinning top following and I know I use to see turning clubs at woodworking shows always making tops for the kids as they watch them turn on the lathe. I believe there is a charity thing with tops for kids thing too. It is funny because I stopped making them some time ago now but just a couple days ago I had pulled an old project I started about 10 years ago which was a cabinet to display my special pens. I wanted to complete the project now that I got my den finished and want to hang it in there. Long and behold when I pulled it out from under a ton of other projects I started years ago, within it were a bunch of spinning top bases that I had cut out and spun down and just needed the stems and bottom spinning tips made That brought back memories. Here is an example of what I am talking about. The top has 3 layers and the top layer is the scrolled pattern she made for me. She made me about 20 other patterns too. It is funny because she mentioned to me also not to give or sell the patterns to anyone. She made them for me. She use to be on other scrolling forums and was very nice person.