Intarsia question

[Scrappile]

I am wanting to try to make this medical symbol for my RN Granddaughter as part of a clock display.   My questions are, and I have only done one simple snowman intarsia before, so I do no know much, on the wings, do you cut out and shape each "feather" individually or do you cut in it two or four pieces and then carve the wing pieces in?  Hope that question makes sense.  I am planning on using 1/4" thich wood. is that thick enough?  And I thank you in advance.

 

[Dave Monk]

39 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

I am wanting to try to make this medical symbol for my RN Granddaughter as part of a clock display.   My questions are, and I have only done one simple snowman intarsia before, so I do no know much, on the wings, do you cut out and shape each "feather" individually or do you cut in it two or four pieces and then carve the wing pieces in?  Hope that question makes sense.  I am planning on using 1/4" thich wood. is that thick enough?  And I thank you in advance.

 

I don't think there's a right or wrong way. If I were doing it I would cut the wings in four pieces. I would then go back and cut the individual feathers out of each piece, shape them and put them back together.  

[GPscroller]

Hey Paul.  I would do it the way Dave suggested, more work but the finished result is nicer.  Also I do all my intarsia out 3/8 inch thick wood, I just find it more pleasing to the eye.  Hope this helps.

Jeff

[Scrappile]

@Dave Monk Thanks for the input.  Just to let you know I watched your inlay video on YouTube yesterday and did a simple inlay.  I just put the letter "L" on a pin box I am making for one of my wife's quilting friends, that is like one I made for my wife (her request).  I though to insure they do not get their boxes mixed up, I decided to inlay her first initial in the lid,  Did not come out as good as yours, but it came out.  I will get better at it and had a good time doing it.  no finish on it yet.  Anyway thank for your video... what a great place SSV is.

Edited March 23, 2023 by Scrappile

[Scrappile]

4 minutes ago, GPscroller said:

Hey Paul.  I would do it the way Dave suggested, more work but the finished result is nicer.  Also I do all my intarsia out 3/8 inch thick wood, I just find it more pleasing to the eye.  Hope this helps.

Jeff

Thanks, I do not mind planing 1/8 off, justify the new DW planer I bought sometime ago, but have not used like I use to use my old one.   Holy gee this is beginning to sound like work.. 

[jollyred]

I have done wings both ways, depending on the number and size of the individual feathers.  Large feathers get cut separately, small ones get carved.  I think either way looks good, so it is an individual choice.

Tom

[Dave Monk]

10 hours ago, Scrappile said:

@Dave Monk Thanks for the input.  Just to let you know I watched your inlay video on YouTube yesterday and did a simple inlay.  I just put the letter "L" on a pin box I am making for one of my wife's quilting friends, that is like one I made for my wife (her request).  I though to insure they do not get their boxes mixed up, I decided to inlay her first initial in the lid,  Did not come out as good as yours, but it came out.  I will get better at it and had a good time doing it.  no finish on it yet.  Anyway thank for your video... what a great place SSV is.

That came out great. You have to admit that it was fun.

[Scrappile]

@Dave Monk Yep it was fun, the hardest part was getting the correct angle... I did testing and when I got done testing, decided to put in a new blade, discovered I had been testing with a #5 blade, I thought I had a number #3 blade in,  Had to start testing again and got down to a .5° and still a little tight, but to go with it.  It was a tighter fit than I wanted.  I will be doing more.

[meflick]

You can do it either way Paul. It’s whatever time commitment and final look you want really. You could try it one way, and if you don’t like it that way, try another.

[Dave Monk]

6 hours ago, Scrappile said:

@Dave Monk Yep it was fun, the hardest part was getting the correct angle... I did testing and when I got done testing, decided to put in a new blade, discovered I had been testing with a #5 blade, I thought I had a number #3 blade in,  Had to start testing again and got down to a .5° and still a little tight, but to go with it.  It was a tighter fit than I wanted.  I will be doing more.

You did an awesome job hiding your entry hole.

I used to use a #3 but now I only use a #5.  I am using .4" thick wood which makes it over 3/4" inches thick. For the past year I've been using #5 super sharps for my inlay only. Everything else I use Pegas blades.  For some reason I feel that every other blade I have tried I can't make a clockwise turn as sharp.  The super sharp blades are sure expensive but I feel they are worth it on my inlay work. 

[Timberdan]

Mr Scrappile. I have done lots of intarsia bird projects over the years and I learned from following Kathy Wise books that I have purchased over the years. I would cut out each feather individually and sand shape each piece for a more 3D effect but start with 3/4 " to 5/8 " thick wood and sand it down from there so you have something to work with. I have a drum sander that works well for this purpose and a good vacuum system for the dust. If you have a chance to pick up Kathy Wise Intarsia Birds pattern book its well worth the money she goes into great detail on cutting feathers to making eyes and sanding details that would better be explained by her than what I can tell you but I have used her patterns in the past and they are all excellent . Im still trying to get the nerve up to try and do the wild turkey intarsia pattern just not quite there yet but it's on the list. Hope this helps.

[Scrappile]

1 hour ago, Timberdan said:

Mr Scrappile. I have done lots of intarsia bird projects over the years and I learned from following Kathy Wise books that I have purchased over the years. I would cut out each feather individually and sand shape each piece for a more 3D effect but start with 3/4 " to 5/8 " thick wood and sand it down from there so you have something to work with. I have a drum sander that works well for this purpose and a good vacuum system for the dust. If you have a chance to pick up Kathy Wise Intarsia Birds pattern book its well worth the money she goes into great detail on cutting feathers to making eyes and sanding details that would better be explained by her than what I can tell you but I have used her patterns in the past and they are all excellent . Im still trying to get the nerve up to try and do the wild turkey intarsia pattern just not quite there yet but it's on the list. Hope this helps.

thanks for the info,,, I will look in to it... Just as a side  I do not use Mr. as my pronoun I use scrollsaw!  

[rjweb]

Dave, where do you purchase your super sharp blades from, RJ

[Scrappile]

10 hours ago, rjweb said:

Dave, where do you purchase your super sharp blades from, RJ

You can get them from PS Wood

[Rolf]

On 3/22/2023 at 7:54 PM, Dave Monk said:

I don't think there's a right or wrong way. If I were doing it I would cut the wings in four pieces. I would then go back and cut the individual feathers out of each piece, shape them and put them back together.  

This would be my approach also. I would align each piece with the grain then cut the individual feathers. It makes shaping much easier 1/4 is thin, doesn't give you much wiggle room.

[Scrappile]

For what it is worth, I have changed patterns.  This it a real pattern so it will make it a little easier.  Started cutting this morning.  Hang on!  Wa HOO!  Where is the scotch! I scroll best with scotch.  welll maybe not with with it I do not care...Just HICK, kidding HICK gang.

Edited March 25, 2023 by Scrappile

[Timberdan]

Sorry about that Scrappile . I was trying to be polite. Good luck on the cutting BTW. Im sure it will be as good as all the other work I've seen in the past from you. I like the new pattern too.

[Scrappile]

@Timberdan Just making fun of today crazy world.

[Rolf]

On 3/25/2023 at 1:56 PM, Scrappile said:

For what it is worth, I have changed patterns.  This it a real pattern so it will make it a little easier.  Started cutting this morning.  Hang on!  Wa HOO!  Where is the scotch! I scroll best with scotch.  welll maybe not with with it I do not care...Just HICK, kidding HICK gang.

My Grand Marnier (tranquilizer of choice) has not made its way into my workshop. LOL

I really like this design. It should be fun to shape.

Edited March 31, 2023 by Rolf