Wolf Puzzle

[Dan]

Here's a standup wolf puzzle that I just finished. It's made from some poplar (a gorgeous piece of wood). I love making these types of puzzles but I only used harder woods (maple, cherry, oak) in the past. The poplar is much easier to cut and a lot cheaper. I'll be going out this weekend to get some. 

 

I will also post the PDF version of my pattern. The JPEG is already in the pattern library.

 

 

Wolf Puzzle.pdf

 

Thanks for looking.

 

Dan

[Phantom Scroller]

Nice one Dan got my copy thanks for sharing.

 

Now let's have a tutorial on how it's done please and what you used software wise.  Cheeky me,Roly

Edited November 25, 2016 by Phantom Scroller

[New Guy]

Thanks for the pattern. You get one AttaBoy.

[DukeNukem]

Poplar is a beautiful wood I love working with it only prob it like $4.00 a board ft. so I only use hard wood on request or special projects like the gear clock that was ordered. You did a great job on this piece. Jerry

[Scrolling Steve]

Thanks for sharing !

[Dan]

Nice one Dan got my copy thanks for sharing.

 

Now let's have a tutorial on how it's done please and what you used software wise.  Cheeky me,Roly

Roly, here's the quick tutorial...make pattern, put pattern on wood, cut wood.   

 

OK, I had to do that. I first drew a wolf outline on paper, you know, the stuff we used in the olden days. Then I drew simple letters. Next, I drew the letter shapes in the form of a puzzle. I scanned this as a JPEG then copied the JPEG into Inkscape and used the Trace Bitmap menu item. I touched it up as needed. 

 

Thanks for all the comments.

[Phantom Scroller]

Cheers Dan good effort now do all the breeds of dogs and cats    Roly

[Dan]

Cheers Dan good effort now do all the breeds of dogs and cats    Roly

Hehe... Somebody already did them. I'll just buy their patterns.

[Iguanadon]

Poplar is a beautiful wood I love working with it only prob it like $4.00 a board ft. so I only use hard wood on request or special projects like the gear clock that was ordered. You did a great job on this piece. Jerry

 

I only use poplar because I love the variations in the colors and it cuts so well.  The downside is that it will snap easily in narrow areas.  I've gotten better at not manhandling the pieces, but I still do occasionally break a puzzle piece but I'm usually able to repair it (glue it) with nobody being the wiser.

 

As to the cost, yes it's a bit pricey, $5 a foot at Home Depot.  But a 5' piece gets me 15 puzzles, so only $1.67 per puzzle.

 

Nice work Dan.  Puzzles are the most amazing things on the planet.  :-)

Edited November 25, 2016 by Iguanadon

[daveww1]

very nice job, I'm lucky, I only pay $1.60 bd ft for clear kiln dried poplar at a local sawmill.

[amazingkevin]

Poplar is a beautiful wood I love working with it only prob it like $4.00 a board ft. so I only use hard wood on request or special projects like the gear clock that was ordered. You did a great job on this piece. Jerry

Good to know the prices ,i have a little bit left 4"x4"x3' long 4 of them

Edited November 25, 2016 by amazingkevin

[amazingkevin]

Here's a standup wolf puzzle that I just finished. It's made from some poplar (a gorgeous piece of wood). I love making these types of puzzles but I only used harder woods (maple, cherry, oak) in the past. The poplar is much easier to cut and a lot cheaper. I'll be going out this weekend to get some. 

 

I will also post the PDF version of my pattern. The JPEG is already in the pattern library.

 

20161125_090756.jpg

 

Wolf Puzzle.pdf

 

Thanks for looking.

 

Dan

Fancy pattern you made for us!Thanks

[dgman]

Nice work Dan, thanks for the pattern!

[newfie]

Great job Dan and thanks for the pattern.thanks for sharing

[Dave Monk]

Nice job Dan. Thanks so much for the pattern. It is a dandy. I got a copy out of the library this past summer and cut it myself. Thanks again. dave

[Lucky2]

Nicely done Dan, it looks real nice. Thanks for sharing the pattern with us, I'm sure it will be cut many times.

Len

[lawson56]

Dan a Awesome job!!   I have used Poplar in the past,it is an easy wood to work with,,Thanks for the pattern.

[penquin]

Dan, thank you for sharing the puzzle with us.  Very nice cut, it looks great.

jim

penquin

[nitro201]

Thank you Dan, New at this and had a hard time finding a way to design my own patterns for the wolf and many others. Again Looks great 

[Rockytime]

Nice cutting and thank you for the pattern. I like Poplar because it is available at Lowes and Home Depot and is considerable cheaper than woods at Woodcraft. In addition the two big box stores are just a few minutes away versus Woodcraft which is 45 minutes to an hour away in traffic.

[Ron Johnson]

Very well done Dan. Poplar is a beautiful wood and enjoyable to work with.

[wombatie]

Looks good Dan, well done on the pattern and cutting.

 

Marg

[meflick]

I agree, nice cutting, nice pattern.  thanks for sharing your pic and the pattern here on the forum.