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I finally completed this project. I took me the longest of any project I have tried in my years of scrolling. Took two tries. I wanted to make a picture of a modern diesel train engine for my nephew-in-law that is a conductor. I could not find a pattern of one. Talking to @munzieb one time I mentioned it to him, he told to send him a picture of what you want and he would make a pattern. And he did, a real detailed pattern. A beautiful pattern.. I worked on it, gave up once, then decided to try again. I worked on this over a period of 4 or 5 months. Bernd Would call every once in a while to see how I was doing. I told him I was about to give up. I just could not scroll like I use to. He said he would give it a try. Two weeks latter he sends me his completed scrolled picture of it! So the challenge was thrown down. I had to quit whining and keep cutting. Finally got there. Many, many thanks to Bernd for the coaching and encouragement. Would never have finished it without it. I still have to frame it. The first picture is mine, the second is the one he cut and sent to me. His was even more difficult than mine, his was a little smaller.

Got this finished today. You can see the progress in "works in progress". Finished with three coats of shellac. I wouldn't normally show the back but I love the grain!!

A big thanks to Bobscroll for these patterns, which I got from the Scroll Saw Village library. All done on 1/4 in BB ply. When the morning sun hits them they really sparkle. I can't seem to catch it on my cell phone camera. I hope I submitted this right...I'm still learning the system.

After I finally broke down and bought a shipping label printer, I had many of the old labels I used with my laser printer. I made some SVG files that would fit on the labels using one of Steve Good's gnome patterns to try using labels instead of spray adhesive. I took the patterns to the shop, and while looking for some wood to use for the experiment, I looked into the five-gallon bucket full of offcuts from my scroll saw. Here is where the second experiment idea came from. How many gnomes could I make using only the wood in this bucket? Answer: More gnomes than I have time for. The wood in the bucket is 3/4 inch or thicker, too thick for the mini gnomes. I applied the patterns, cut them from the wood in the bucket, and resaw them using my Shopsmith bandsaw. Once I had a small bucket of parts, I began to assemble them. I stopped when I ran out of feet and did not have time to cut more. The labels worked well, but I had to be much more careful about dusting off the wood to get them to stick as well as I liked. If the wood was smooth and clean, the labels stuck tight enough that mineral spirits helped get them off.

Although it is still to early for our trees and bushes to show flowers, I just got this done.

The Chicken Puzzle was designed by Harvey Blyer. I used 3/4" Poplar approximately 8" x 8". Cut on the Pegas Scroll Saw using Pegas #3R MGT blades. Actually, only one blade. After a light sanding, dipped in diluted Shellac. After drying, another light sanding. This is a gift for a friend that gives us eggs. Comments welcome.

3 from 1. The middle one is the original ornament the other two are the extra I always save.

The original Photo. This was the hardest project I've ever done. I am not a designer, I'm only a pixel eater using MS 3D paint. Too old to learn newer software. Paul did fantastic cutting. Something to be very proud of. It only took him so long to finish because he kept going back to playing his street organ, Ha!

I usually celebrate March with some project that I have been thinking about during the winter when my shop is too cold to spend a lot of time in. This March turned into Easter baskets. I gave my mother-in-law one for Christmas. She showed it to several friends and they would like some for Easter.

Oh, that... It's a holder for small parts. I have several of these with holes of different sizes. Here are some examples of how I use them.

The table top is a piece of masonite hardboard with a notch in it to fit the smallest spindle. It gives me a flat smooth work surface with as small a gap as I need. It isn't fastend down in any way.

I still use Painters tape works well with me!

Call out to both Pete @Scrappile and Bernd @munzieb for great pattern and great cuttings. Persistence pays!

The replacement. The original was too small for the current size spice jars. About 20% larger. Expanded the pattern so that it uses 5/16" wood rather than the 1/4" in the original. Had 5/16" with the yellow edges, so I used it for decorative effect.

Man, that is great Paul. Bernd is a great guy and has helped me. Sometimes we all need a shove and a little encouragement, especially when that encouragement comes from a friend. Jerry

This is a Steve Good layered pattern. Cut on 1/4 inch plywood. Reminded me of of the sugar diorama eggs my mother used to have when I was a kid.

You can see from the date of the first post this discussion has been going on since before I have started scrolling. Some things are marked as saying so or watermarked. The thing that makes it even harder is copyright seem to be much more important or monitored from one country to another. So who knows. I do not worry nor so I have to. I do not sell. Mainly because I can't even give away what I make.

This is a Russ Beard Pattern, I have called it Condemned.

I found a picture of a 30's car that I knew I had to cut. Its a 1938 Cadillac V-16. Only a very few were made though there was some talk that Cadillac wanted to make the v-16 back in '08. Didn't happen. Plaque is 16 x 12 BBPW on 1/4" backer. Shellac and Gloss Lacquer finish and help from Denny at Artcrafter for "0" skiptooth blades.

Paul, you have done a beautiful job, RJ

Here is the best shot I have. If I sand some thin small, I snug it up to the spindle.

Darn another organized guy to make me feel stupid and guilty!! You are "Bad",, "Bob"!

I agree. Deadman switch is the way to go if you are looking for a foot pedal. Personally my muscle memory is geared toward controlling the saw via the stock controls. I'm afraid I might mess up my rhythm with a foot pedal.

Great job on pattern and the cutting.

I also use full sheet labels for most all my projects unless it's something larger than the standard size sheet of paper and i have to piece it together. I also use my 4 x 6 shipping label printer now and then to do a quick one off print of something small enough to fit on it, such as a single ornament that's personalized or whatever. However most of my personalized stuff now days I use the laser to create what they want.. since it's there and it can cut and do the personalized engraving anyway why not just do the whole thing on that. The Gnome's are pretty cool and looks like a good way to use up some scraps.. most my scraps I save for the summer camp fires so they at least get used and enjoyed by many. Gotta say though they are typically small bits as like you.. I use up most of what I can..

I use full sheet labels to print patterns. Works for me, I know we all have our own way of applying patterns.

Really a beautiful piece of art!

Beautiful job Barb! And hubby has an artistic eye too!

That sure is beautiful. Mighty fine cutting,

I've been President of my one person "Grumpy Old Man" Club for many years. About 41+ years ago at age 40, my first Grandson was born. At that time I said "I'm too young to be called Grandpa so just call me Grumps". The Monika stuck and I have been called Grumps by all my 'Grands' and many others, ever since. When I first started to Scroll, over four years ago, one of my earliest projects was this sign that is always on display on or near my Desk. BTW, nice cutting!

That is a work of art. Oh my, what detail.

Excellent, why did you choose that car, also did you have plans for it, or your design, RJ

So just wanted to update to say I finally had the opportunity to test this adapter out.. and I gotta say.. It's junk, don't waste your money. It works great until you are actually going to drill and then the vibration or slop in the way it connects it kept stopping on me wiggle the battery around and start working.. Probably a good way to burn up a tool or the battery contacts of it or the battery itself.. I think it's probably best to just use OE style batteries..

I wouldn't even know how to begin a project like this. Simply amazing. Jerry

Never, Never, Never use a VS speed control footpedal with a scrollsaw that is VS speed control. You will burn the board out or possibly the motor. Speed controller can not control a speed controller. Get a on/ off foot switch and set speed by way of scrollsaw. I have always used the momentary ones where you need to stay on it to keep saw running. There are ones that is push to start and push to stop. But I found that just taking your foot off the footswich is faster than trying to panic and step on it again to stop for fear of stepping on it more than once and you now start it again. Especially when the blade breaks and the blade will break.

I think someone was asking about this.

Well said!

I'm mostly talking about small breaks. Get out of the chair to drill a few holes, attach a pattern, sweep the floor, check my email, or whatever. I guess I probably go a bit longer at the saw actively cutting...20-30 minutes max. I never really timed it. My setup is nice and comfortable. I guess I'm not as focused as y'all are. Maybe it's because I sit behind a computer all day for work. When I'm in the shop, I like to get up and putter around and while away the day. I'm not under any time constraints or deadlines. I was just curious about what others do. The article I'm writing is sharing a few tips for newbie scrollers. I'm suggesting breaking up the active cutting with other tasks so they are refocused when they get back to the saw. the time certainly differs between individuals. For me, it's 15-20 min. I guess for the more experienced powerhouses it's more like 2+ hours. Anyway, I cut the way I cut because that's the way I like to cut.

This is also a Russ Beard pattern, this is Crucified.

I will cut for 30 minutes and take a 5 to 10 minute break. I have an analog clock to keep track of hours spent on a project and I use that for breaks as well. Many years ago I spent three days solid on a project, stopping only for food and bathroom breaks. That's one reason for the clock.

Frame only.

Frame only here, tried putting them behind glass when I first started, didn't care for the look, really took away from the wood. Glassless is much better. Chris

This is a pattern from Steve Good.

Put a new blade in the saw and throw the tension lever. Turn on the saw, then turn off. Releasee the tension. Is there more flex in the blade than when you first put it in? Try the same but this time cut a piece of scrap wood. Again if there is more flex in the blade I would say it is slipping in the holders. I found this out when I was cutting some 1 1/2 stock. I also waxed the blade for every cut in the thick material.

Also welcome from Oklahoma! You have picked a great hobby and I hope you enjoy your journey.

Experimentation is good and you are learning....that a #7 blade is far too big and aggressive for stock that thin.

I do not have that saw and no little about it. But you need to look at the action itself. Manually push the arm up and down with the square next to the blade and if the blade moves straight up and down then it is not the saw and it is your pushing technique. At times we get to pushing too hard and you are putting pressure where there should not be. As you are cutting let off from pushing and if your piece walks back to a certain position it tells you that you were doing too much side pressure. It happens to all of us. May have to change the speed of the saw one way or other. Certain woods just cut slower than others. Other than that I can not help.

IMHO the Festool Sanders are the best out there for low vibration and dust collection. The ergonomics and vibration are very important to me as I have had both wrists rebuilt and need to protect them. Are they expensive.. Yes. But for me well worth it. The price range for Sanders varies from the HF to the Festool at over $200. The other important thing is what you are going to use it on.