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Funny how plans change as you move through a project. A wall hanging that started life meaning to be a table trivet but is a little fragile for the purpose so what does one do? Put a hanger on it and there you go. A wall hanging.

Nativity Box done on 1/8" Baltic Birch, Sue Mey pattern edward

First let me say that, we...here on the East Coast of Central Florida..., weathered huricane Milton with all being OK. Never lost power, no damage other than a lot of rake-up branches and leaves from neighboring trees. Others here in Florida did not fare as well and I know a number of our SSV members may be amoung them. Our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes for a quick recovery, go out to all who may have been affected. Now to the post! This project was completed over the past week while waiting for Milton to arrive. I purchased a digital download (JPG) of a printable cartoon clipart wall décor of a Cute Turtle off ETSY. I imported the image into Inkscape and converted it into a scrollable segmentation 12” x 10” pattern. The conversion was mainly a manual trace. The Inkscape 'trace bitmap' command realy does not work well to produce this kind of pattern. This piece is also for my Lady’s soon-to-be Grandson. I used nominal 3/4" x 12” wide premium pine and cut the pattern with Pegas #1 MGT R blades. I used Intarsia techniques to shape the pieces and after painting, the pieces were mounted on a 1/8” thick BB ply backer with the edges painted black. Painting was done using my Air Brush with Artist Acrylic Air brush paints with some detail brush work. I’m still not able to do very fine detailing with the Air Brush. The painted and assembled piece was protected with multiple coats of a Clear Gloss Acrylic Finish spray. Comments and critiques are always welcome.

Being inspired by the amazing chess sets by @Dave Monk, I have decided to do my own set(s). Being that I work in an international alliance, I will do a Paris-themed chess set for my first one... Yeah, I know ambitious, but the cuts look easy and I am not one to back down from a challenge, and if I don't screw it up, I might be able to sell it to a French Officer! Then I can do an Italian-inspired set! That being said before my stock of wood blanks comes in, I am going to practice. My first order of business was to create a jig to hold my blanks securely. This is version 1, and I am already planning on v2. I used 3.5" 1/4-20 bolts ... I need to go to 4" to give me a bit more leeway with the spring tensioning and larger blanks if I want. I am also thinking of making the holes for starting inside cuts a bit bigger, and also using self-adhesive 180-grit sandpaper on the inside of the jig to give a better hold on the blank, thus reducing pressure. With the springs my idea is to simulate the pressure of the hand, but still have fine pressure adjustment. I have to consider the physics during the cut, as I need to maintain a steady pressure to hold, but not so much that the kerf gets pinched thus binding the blade during the cut. The other part of the spring tensioning is so I do not have to keep adjusting the hand nut as I cut. I glued up some 'scrap' wood to create some 1.5"x1.5" blanks to practice with. So I will start with the golfball/clubs, Jesus/Mary-Joseph, then do the ballerina/swan compound cuts. I most likely will add to this thread as I move through this process, make a v2 of the jig and make a boatload of mistakes!

And this is why I make toys. I make them... box up a bunch... and give them away to police, fire, and hospitals to give to children in need. I just delivered 125 toys to an organization that helps kids with cancer. You can make artwork for organizations, give it away so they do fund raisers it is an item people could "bid" on.

Not really spooky will go on porch right after our Thanksgiving.

These are all based on patterns I bought from Fiona Kingdon, with a few liberties taken and changes made for individual uses. The common denominator is that I did recessed cuts allowing the inner ring to slip forward 1/4” to allow the stained glass panels to fit enclosed behind the scroll work. The “Entwined Lovers” were all wedding/engagement presents.

Well, here it is. I am very happy with this one! Woods used - Purple Heart, Butternut, White Limba, Yellowheart, Canary Wood, Wenge, Aromatic Cedar, Orange Osage, Zebra wood, Cherry & reclaimed Elm. Cut with #5 MG blades. Finish is mineral oi/beeswax mixture & buffed. This will be heading to my niece - the one that grabbed me the purple heart- for her birthday at the end of the month. Everything for it seemed to fall into place. Her getting me the wood. It is an owl and she loves owls. It is her 30th!

My OCD makes any hobbies be short lived. To go a year is a milestone for me. Problem with me was once I started something it had to get finished and I would sit for many hours to hurry up and finish, just to pack it away. Think I just wanted to see if I could do it well and mission accomplished. This new hobby working with epoxy resin is more of a challenge because there's a short window of time you have to create something once the resin is mixed. Then there's that waiting until the next day to see if you created a gem or a turd. Time will tell how long this will last. Either way there will be some nice tools listed for sale soon!

I think we all have gone through the dulldrums. Just nature. I stop scrolling ever since my shows were shut down with pandemic and never returned. there are no shows in my area that draw big crowds because scrolling projects do not sell well any more. I took up pen turning and making my own pen blanks. It is a wide open field that lends itself to the imagination because there are no specific patterns to follow. Also pens are so easy to gift, use as raffles and just sell. They take up so much less space and can be put in highend Jewlers stores if you have connections. So much can be done with a pen and I also on occasion use my woodworking talents to make display stands as well as display boxes. I believe my tooling will have to be sold or given away by the remaining members of the family when I pass on. Will it be a burden yes but if they want the $$$$ work for it is my motto. My scrollsawn project inventory is quite extensive also. Someday I will move much of it through auctions and things but I can probably say I too am done with scrolling for a hobby. Been there done that. As we age it gets tougher to do the things we use to and yes it is a relaxing hobby but there are other hobbies as well. Good luck to you and your future plans.

OK, version 1.3 (don't ask how I am numbering) I added 180 grit sandpaper pieces to each side to minimize any sliding. I did use self-adhesive sandpaper. I also drilled a couple of 1/4" holes so I can dry fit a dowel into it. The idea is to give me another place for my fingers. I started with two and might add another two. The dowels pop right out if not needed. And I made the starter notches a little bigger. I just ordered some 4" bolts, and mulling if I need to go to 3/4" wood or not for the full v2. So far I like the design on the fly.

This is the one I use. Klingspor Abrasives Spindle Mounted Mac Mop, 240 Grit 7"x 2"x 1/4" Spindle (woodworkingshop.com)

Okay. Here is my very first compound cut using mahogany. (3 x 0.5 glued = 1.5"x1.5"). Not perfect, not bad. Made an error not doing the inside cut on the handle first so I could not get my blade through. I was videoing the process, so I skipped it. I think it took about 20 minutes to cut this piece out (both sides). Of course with my arthritis, I had trouble getting the blank into the jig. Once I get 4-inch bolts, that will eliminate that problem. I will add sandpaper to the jig before my next piece. I will also make my starter notches a little bigger, and in v2 perhaps put them every 3/4" apart. And add some removable pegs that I can use as grips and guides. I would say, you do have to plan your cuts before laying blade to blank. With things potentially shifting slightly, you can get into trouble otherwise. You can see everything cut out, and the ball side and bag side lying on the jig.

The language is Czech, and translated says the same as your sign and ornaments Kevin. As Frank said you really don’t need to translate it the carving is rather obvious to any kind of woodworker. BTW, nice cutting on the ornaments.

Very cute turtle @FrankEV. No doubt everyone will love it. My brother in Palm Beach Gardens came through Milton with little damage, just branches down in the yard.

Now onto the post! Good to hear that you came through safely. The turtle is so cute! You did a wonderful job on the painting.

Frank, This was more helpful than any of the YouTube videos I have watched. Thank you. I may resurrect my airbrush. Like Dick, I have one but got very frustrated with using it and it has been packed away for a couple of years.

Wood used? What ever scrap I can find. I have used every kind of wood. My preference in doing mini birdhouses is a hardwood. Done many with cherry, ash and maple. The Sam Keener patterns you are showing I would use a hardwood as the pieces are a little delicate. I will be interested to see how your glued up pieces work out. Keep us posted.

Just so you I have been doing something. I am finished with the Halloween candy boxes (Alex Fox Pattern). I am so done! I have three more cut out, but I do not intend to finish them. Maybe next year. I enjoy the cutting, the painting, not so much. I have got to fill them with candy and wait time the time to ship them. So done with the painting. Painting sucks!

Like your clamp When doing compound with a base I have found that by adding a little bit extra to the base and then drilling 2 starter holes and holes to end the cut you don't have to use clamps at all. Cut first side and then turn and cut second side. Once cut straight across the base. I usually cut with band saw or table saw. I used to have a clamp but recently have been using small clamps with two blocks. I have sand paper on two sides to hold even. I have 2 different size blocks. 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 for most patterns and I have smaller ones that I use to cut small birdies. (2 at a time}.

Hickory has a Janka of ~1820, this is the same as Yellow Heart. If you are cutting 3/4 inch thick it is doable, but you'll be slow going and burning through blades. If you are doing 1/8 - 1/4 you'll have less surface friction so it won't be too bad. Blades won't last as long as say basswood or soft maple, but you should be fine. ETA: Purpleheart is 2520, bloodwood is 2900. I did a 1/2 inch (heart) piece in BW, and although I went through a lot of blades I did not have issues. Hickory at 1/2" or less will be easy.

The glue hasn't cured yet, and I am trying to decide whether to do anything else to it. I have never made anything like this before, and it was a bit more difficult than I anticipated.

Oops, I'd bought two sets. That one was part of this pack: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1517282432/mechanical-coaster-laser-cut-turntable?ref=yr_purchases If Etsy won't cooperate, look for mechanical coasters by seller "VectorPortArt"

Good job! I honestly think that learning to use and to have confidence using spirals was one of the most important steps I have done to advance my scrolling skill levels.

Not my cup of tea, but mighty fine cutting.

I've noticed that GrandpaJim hasn't logged in here in a few months.. He sold his crafts on Etsy and Go Imagine websites and had shut his stores down too. So I got to looking him up and sadly found his obituary. He passed on July 3rd. RIP Jim https://www.schmidtfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Frank-Jim-Mikul?obId=32256215