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Travis

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Travis last won the day on May 2 2022

Travis had the most liked content!

About Travis

  • Birthday 06/05/1974

My Profile

  • First Name:
    Travis
  • Occupation:
    Video Editor (National Commercials)
  • Location:
    Vancouver, WA
  • Gender:
    Male
  • Scroll Saw:
    Excalibur
  • Project Types:
    Toys, portraits, lath art, home items, wall art, word art, and whatever else catches my interest.
  • Interests:
    Scroll Sawing, Video Games, Board Games, web development, and spending my summers on the patio watching the world go by.
  • Pattern Designer:
    Yes
  • Design Software:
    GIMP, Inkscape, Photoshop
  • Favorite Books:
    Harry Potter Books, general fantasy, Fox Chapel (scroll saw books), DIY/Informational books.
  • Favorite TV Shows:
    Doctor Who, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, New Yankee Workshop, Battle Star Galactica, Family Guy
  • Favorite Movies:
    Harry Potter, Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars , Ghostbusters, Office Space, Elf, Tremors
  • Quote:
    "I mock you with my monkey pants." -Oz (Seth Green), Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Season 2, Episode 10

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Travis's Achievements

  1. Awesome...now we're rolling! Here's who we have so far: @Travis - received @don in brooklin on - received @Dan - received @Kris Martinson Who else can help out?
  2. Ornaments For Charity eBook is still looking for designers! The success of every year's edition is dependent on those willing to keep the tradition going. So far, we only have 3 designers. I would love to get at least 6. 10 would be awesome. Can you help out? You can find out more information on the first post. Here's who we have so far: @Travis - received @don in brooklin on @Dan
  3. If you discovered the wonderful world of scroll sawing and want to try it out for yourself, you may want to dip your toe into the hobby without spending a lot of money. With so many options ranging from entry-level saws around $120, to mid-level saws around $400, to the more expensive models running $1000+. The WEN 3921 saw seems very appealing at only $120. But is it a good starter saw? Let’s take a closer look. Pros Good value - The most appealing part is the affordable price point ($120) Small footprint - It doesn’t take up much space and is easy to store. Easy access to on/off switch - Located up front, it is easy to flip on and off the saw between cuts. Variable speed control - Adjustable knob up front to control the speed of the saw. Tilting bed - This option allows you to cut at compound angles. This is useful if you want to do inlay work or make scroll-sawn bowls. Sideways cutting - You can flip pin-ended blades 90 degrees so the saw cuts from the side. That way the back of the scroll arm doesn’t get in the way of long rip cuts. The only advantage could be if you don’t have any other saws in the workshop that can cut or rip down larger materials. Otherwise, this feature probably wouldn’t add a whole lot of value to hobbyists. Adjustable LED light - The extra light is nice, especially since you can aim it to where you're cutting. However, the saw vibration does cause the light to shake, causing a distracting stropelike effect. Cons Blade changing - This can be frustrating when using pinless blades. Hobbyists typically prefer pinless blades over pinned ones, as pinless blades provide better-quality cuts and greater flexibility. The WEN 3921 includes two options for using pinless blades. The first set are adapters that hang on the existing hooks. The second set will permanently change your saw from a pinned blade setup to a pinless one. Unfortunately, there are little to no instructions on installing the permanent kit and you must rely on YouTube videos. Steve Good has two really good videos demonstrating both kinds of pinless blade adapters: Using the hanging pinless blade adapters (at the 8:01 mark) Permanent pinless adapter (recommended). Vibration - This saw does have a fair amount of vibration, which makes it difficult to get precise cuts. Excessive vibration can make it hard to achieve accurate entry points, especially when working on fine fretwork. Adjusting the saw speed can help reduce vibration, and securing the saw to a sturdy workbench or table should also improve stability. Air blower - The function of an air blower is to blow sawdust away from your cut. This allows you to see your cut better as you follow the line. This air blower is a bit fiddly without a lot of adjustments. It’s simply a hose that you point in the general direction, without the ability to precisely direct the airflow. Conclusion Overall, the WEN 3921 is good for what it is. It is an inexpensive scroll saw that can get you started in the hobby. It lacks many of the niceties that higher-quality scroll saws provide, such as smoother operation, less vibration, and ease of blade changing/threading. The build quality isn't ideal, so it might not be a good choice if you're planning on production cutting. But it should be sufficient to get started making some fun projects for friends and family. With that said, I started off with an inexpensive Craftsman scroll saw and used it for years before upgrading. So you still can do some very nice projects. However, your quality of life and enjoyment of the hobby will be much greater if you can justify spending a little more money for a mid-level saw or higher. Other Options Consider A Better Saw Woodworkers often say “buy the best tool you can afford.” That may be an inexpensive scroll saw from Harbor Freight, or the WEN 3921. The problem with these is that it may cause undue frustration and you have less control, which may turn you off to this wonderful hobby. If you can swing it, think about a mid-level scroll saw such as the DeWalt or the Delta. Many hobbyists really like the DeWalt. These mid-level scroll saws take care of many of the shortcomings of the inexpensive scroll saws, making it much less frustrating experience. Blade changing will go much smoother (you’ll be changing and threading the blade into interior cuts a lot). And, you’ll get much less vibration, making detailed cuts much easier. You’ll be much happier with your experience and outcomes. There is a good chance that you'll want to want to upgrade your saw pretty quickly. So the $120 you spent on the entry-level saw could instead be invested into a better quality saw that gives you a much better experience and results. Shop For Used Buying new might is not your only option. You can find a lot of used scroll saws on the secondary market, often with very few hours on them. A little patience will pay off if you keep an eye out on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You should be able to find a nice scroll saw for a very reasonable price. Sometimes they'll even throw in a few blades and accessories! Additional Resources Steve Good has a very nice overview of the WEN 3921 that is worth watching. Here are the specs, manuals, and member reviews for the WEN3921. Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts has an article about the WEN 3921 in Issue 84 - Fall 2021 Do you own the WEN 3921? Share your experiences in the comments below!
  4. This is an older project, but I made a caddy for my tea. I kinda wanted it old farmhouse style.
  5. We're off to a good start! So far we have: Travis don in brooklin on Dan Who else can pitch in for this year's Ornaments For Charity edition?
  6. DeWalt scroll saw is on sale on Amazon for $399 (US prices). This is the lowest I've seen in a long time. So if you're in the market for a new saw, be sure to check this out: https://amzn.to/4f9JsQD Here is the price history for the last 120 Days. Pretty good deal if you're interested. Note: These are US prices and are accurate at the time of this posting. These prices fluctuate quickly. So if you find a deal, I'd jump on it!
  7. If you are interested in the previous years' business kits, we have quite a few other kits to expand your product line! Other Business Kits Other Business Kits And here are a few non-Christmas kits.
  8. So last year, we had 4 designers who contributed 20 new ornament patterns to the Ornaments For Charity ebook. This year, I'd like to beat last year's submissions. I know it can be done because we've done it in the past. How great would it be to get 20 or more new ornament patterns in this year's book? All skill levels are welcome. The goal is to create a really cool eBook that will benefit those in need. I'm designing. Who's with me!?
  9. Halloween is over, and now we're turning our attention to the Holidays! We're continuing our tradition here at Scroll Saw Village by publishing our annual e-Book full of Christmas ornaments. This popular eBook was featured in the Holiday 2014 issue of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine. These ornament designs are exclusive to this eBook and designed by our fellow SSV members. The idea is, anyone can download the eBook in exchange for a donation to their favorite charity. Our hope is that we'd be able to raise some money for very worthy causes and provide some cool patterns at the same time. *** But we need your help! *** We need some volunteers to design some ornaments. Each designer will provide 5 patterns (no more, no less) I ask that the designs are not made available anywhere else (this gives value to the e-book) They have to be designed specifically by you (no posting other people's patterns) Designs must be emailed (or PM) to Travis by Wednesday, November 27th (info below) A few things to keep in mind: Religious and secular designs are accepted. Other religions/traditions also celebrate this time of year, so let's not forget them. Keep detail and size appropriate for an ornament. Don't submit copyrighted or licensed patterns. The due date will sneak up on you quicker than you think. Please get them to me ASAP so I have time to work on them. What do you get in exchange? Credit for your design. The warm fuzzy feeling that you're helping others in need. Submitting your ornaments: Email the ornaments directly to Travis (travis [at] scrollsawvillage.com) or PM me. Formats accepted are JPG, PNG. Please keep the pattern in black & white only (no gray). That way I can convert them more easily when putting together the ebook. I prefer Inkscape files (SVG) if you can. This is ideal if you know how to use Inkscape. That way I don't have to manually convert them.
  10. This year has been really hectic. I feel like I'm always playing catch-up. So, I was looking forward to November when I can slow down a bit and settle in. The weather is getting colder. I have the fire going with a nice cup of coffee. I thought this month's scroll saw challenge could be about coziness. It's a bit of an abstract idea since "Cozy" means different things to different people. But I think we're up for the challenge. Post a scroll saw project that means Cozy in your mind. Maybe it's a trivet for your favorite tea kettle. Napkin holders for your Thanksgiving table. A yarn bowl made for the knitter in your life. Maybe a scenic cutting of snow falling on the mountains or an old farm truck driving down a country road. I'd love to see what you come up with. When you post, tell us a little bit about it. I love the stories that go along with the projects.
  11. Hi All. For the last several years, I've been creating custom ornament business kits. These kit seems are pretty popular because of their flexibility to create personalized Holiday ornaments for friends and family, or to sell to make a few extra bucks this Holiday season. So I'm super excited to announce that this year's 2024 Custom Ornament Business Kit is now available! I like to think of it as a mini scroll saw business-in-a-box. With this business kit, you can create as many custom ornament patterns as you want. You can easily personalize them with someone's name or date. You can sell your custom ornaments to your friends and family, online market places like Etsy, or for craft fairs and church bizarres. You can also sell custom patterns to your fellow scrollers! Here's what is included in the kit: Inkscape Ornament Template - Inkscape SVG file that you can use to customize ornaments. (US Letter & A4 size) Step-by-Step Instructions - Easy instructions on how to use the Inkscape template, and how to export PDFs and PNGs from Inkscape. Promotional Banners - Pre-made promotional images you can post to social media that advertise your ornaments. (in both $ & £) GIMP Promotional Banner Template - GIMP source file that allows you to further customize your promotional banner. Here's an overview of how the kit works: 50% OFF - (For a Limited Time) This year's 2024 Custom Ornament Kit is on sale for 50% off through Cyber Monday! (Dec. 2, 2024). So right now, you can pick it up for only $10, which is a screamin' deal! This is my way of saying Thank You for being a part of SSV and making it such a great place to be. I hope you find it useful. Happy Holidays, y'all!
  12. SALE! - 50% Off Through Cyber Monday! As a special "Thank You" for making SSV such a great place to be, this year's Custom Holiday Ornament Business Kit is 50% off through Cyber Monday (Dec 2, 2024). Mini Scroll Saw Business in a Box! 'Tis the season for craft and cash! Earn a little extra cash this Holiday season, and help pay for your scroll saw addiction...errr....hobby. With this mini Business In A Box, you can personalize as many Holiday ornaments as you want with our simple Inkscape template. This year's kit includes an Inkscape (svg) source file that allows you to personalize ornaments with names and dates. Also included are step-by-step instructions, premade banners to advertise your services that you can post to your social media, and the GIMP file in case you'd like to further customize your promotional banners. Here's what would be included in the kit: Inkscape Ornament Template - Inkscape SVG file that you can use to customize ornaments. (US Letter & A4 size) Step-by-Step Instructions - Easy instructions on how to use the Inkscape template, and how to export PDFs and PNGs from Inkscape. Promotional Banners - Pre-made promotional images you can post to social media that advertise your ornaments. (in both $ & £) GIMP Promotional Banner Template - GIMP source file that allows you to further customize your promotional banner. Note: This ornament kit is meant for folks who have a working knowledge of Inkscape. You don't have to be an advanced user, but you should have the basics down. If you'd like to learn more about Inkscape, you can find my free online course here. Here's an overview of how the kit works: Selling Ideas: With this kit, you can create custom ornament patterns for fellow scrollers or crafters. Or you can sell finished ornaments you cut yourself! Custom patterns for fellow scrollers & crafters. (suggested price: $1-2 per custom pattern) Post to your Facebook (or other social media) that you make custom ornaments. Friends and family would jump at the chance to have a custom ornament designed and cut by you. (suggested price: $10-15 each). Take orders at a craft show, church bizarre, or event. Or even scroll on-site. (suggested price: $10-15 each). Sell on Etsy or similar online handmade marketplaces. Just give yourself time to make and ship the items. (suggested price: $12-20 each) Fundraiser for a youth group, school, or sports team. (suggested price: $12-20 each) Or maybe, you just make unique gifts for friends and family (suggested price: $0 each)
    $10
  13. One of the first questions a new scroller often asks is, “Which scroll saw blade should I use?” After all, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming and they don't know where to start. Often the answer they receive is “it depends,” followed by a flood of advice. And while this is true, sometimes someone new to the hobby just wants a simple answer: “Here, buy this.” Hopefully, this article will help. Where to Buy Scroll Saw Blades While hardware stores carry scroll saw blades, these are often designed for construction, not hobbyists. They’re usually too thick, don’t cut as well, and harder to control. For finer, more detailed work, you will want to order specialty blades from an online store that specializes in scroll sawing. But don’t worry, they’re pretty cheap. There are 3 big brands of scroll saw blades for hobbyists: Flying Dutchman, Pegas, and Olson. I only have experience with Flying Dutchman, which I buy from Mike’s Workshop (not sponsored), so I’ll focus on that. However, the blade sizes and tooth configurations are similar across the other brands. So, Which Scroll Saw Blades Should I buy? Let’s keep it simple. If you’re just starting, I recommend buying #3 scroll reverse and #5 scroll reverse scroll saw blades. These two blades are the workhorses in my shop and I rarely need anything else. #3 Scroll Reverse - This is my go-to blade, handling about 75% of my projects. It leaves clean, smooth cuts and offers great control for tight turns, sharp inside corners, and straight lines. The blade pivots and turns easily. It works well on thin materials without getting too squirrelly, and it works well on thick materials without bogging down. #5 Scroll Reverse - I use this blade for thicker materials and hardwoods. This blade is more durable and performs well with anything over ¾”. Since the blade is thicker, it doesn’t wander as much, which makes it ideal for projects that have long straight lines or sweeping curves. The trade-off is that it is harder to turn and pivot. So, fine details are more challenging to achieve. It may also be a bit aggressive for thin materials. FYI: The number is the size (ie, thickness) of the blade. “Scroll reverse” means that the bottom of the blade has teeth facing the opposite way. This reduces tear-out (or fuzzies) on the back of your project and generally produces a smoother finish. How Many Should I Buy? This is rather arbitrary. However, my go-to blade is a #3 scroll reverse about 75% of the time. They are typically sold in bundles of 12. You’ll also go through a lot of them, so make sure you stock up. Remember, blades wear out. As soon as a blade stops cutting smoothly, replace it. You'll get better results and a more enjoyable scrolling experience. Luckily, blades are cheap, usually costing between 25-45 cents each. It's common to replace your blade several times in a project. So if you’re just starting out: #3 Scroll Reverse - 4 dozen #5 Scroll Reverse - 2 dozen Feel free to adjust these numbers to take advantage of bulk discounts or to make shipping more economical. What About Spiral Blades? This is a subject that has been debated…a lot. Personally, I love spiral blades. But, I only use them in certain situations. It is very tempting for beginners to start with spiral blades because they seem (the key word here is “seem”) easier and you have a lot of flexibility. However, I recommend you learn with flat blades. Here’s why: Scroll sawing is about blade control. It’s learning how fast to feed your project into the blade, applying the right pressure, and following the patterns smoothly. Flat blades offer more control and stability because they only cut in one direction, making it easier to follow your lines. If you veer off track, you can easily guide the blade back to the line. Spiral blades, on the other hand, will cut in all directions. This makes it challenging because if your feed rate or pressure is off, or the blade gets caught in the wood grain, the blade will continue to cut. As a result, you’ll get uneven/wiggly lines, and your results will not look very professional. So, to recap: Flat blades provide better control for straight lines, sweeping curves, and sharp corners. I use flat blades for most of my projects. Spiral blades are useful for patterns with irregular or organic shapes with many interior cuts, such as portraits or scenic designs. They can also be useful in situations where it is difficult to spin your workpiece because of the size or other limiting factors. What Next? From here, it’s all about experimenting and trying different things to see what you like. Try a different brand. Try different sizes or tooth configurations. If you tend to cut thick hardwoods, you might want to try a larger blade with a skip tooth configuration. If you like doing jigsaw puzzles, maybe a smaller blade with a thinner kerf and more teeth per inch is what you need. If you’re cutting unusual materials, a different blade may make all the difference. The key is to experiment and ask what others use to see what works for you. Did I miss something? Do you have any recommendations for a new scroller? Leave a comment below.
  14. I'm hoping the October update will fix this....I'm waiting to hear back from the software company. I can't seem to replicate the problem on my iPad or phone. I'll keep trying. If you turn your iPad sideways and hit refresh, does that help? Just a shot in the dark.
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