Palm Tree at Sunset Plaque

[FrankEV]

I did not enroll in Intarsia 101 before starting to do this type of Scroll Saw Art.  So, I’m not sure if I’m breaking any Intarsia project presentation rules.

I’m still wanting to do rather simple Intarsia projects so I found this free coloring book page on-line, of a ‘Palm Tree-on a Beach-by the Sea-at Sundown (or maybe at Sunrise)’, that looked like it would be an easy project.  I converted the line-work of the coloring book page into a Scroll Saw Intarsia Pattern, but made significant changes to the Beach, Sea, Sky and Tree Trunk outlines.  I also added a small sailboat to the scene and put the entire scene into a 7.5" wide  x 9.5" tall Oval for presentation as a Plaque. Not sure, but I’m thinking I may have broken a rule here!

Wood used: Aspen, Poplar, Blue Pine, Yellowheart, Walnut and Cherry.  I used a scrap cut-off piece of 5/32” solid core Birch Ply with the edges painted black as a backer.  The backer oval was cut about 1/16” undersize.   As you know, adding color to my work is kind of my thing.   So, for this piece I am very disappointed in the color of the Palm Tree prawns and the water.  I used areas of green from Poplar, but nowhere green enough to satisfy my senses.  The water is Blue Pine, but again not Blue enough.  

All cutting was done using Pegas #1 MGT R blades. Amazingly, the cutting was quite accurate and fit-up was very easy except for that damn Sailboat I added to the scene.   The little sliver of Sky behind the sail was a beast to fit and because I cut the Sailboat a little oversize, it needed to be significantly sanded to fit.  I found sanding such a small piece is extremely difficult to do.  I guess that is a skill I will have to master as it looks like many patterns have very small pieces.

I again used Clear Gloss Acrylic Finish spray as my finish.  Each piece was individually sanded and finished multiple times before assembly.

Even though the pieces fit together well, it was difficult to make sure they were in the exact correct position while they were being assembled.  However, although I’m sure that I am not the first to do this, I used a large Worm-Screw-Hose-Clamp to hold everything correctly in place while affixing the plaque, as one unit, to the backer.  Worked like a charm!

I used my bench belt sander to smooth out the final oval shape of the assembly and then used my router with a small cove bit to ease the top edge all around.  A little fine sanding around the edge, a few more coats of the Clear Gloss Acrylic Finish, and adding a sawtooth hanger on the back, completed the project.

 

Comments and critiques please.  

 

[TAIrving]

Very nice Frank!  I am currently working on my first intarsia project and am learning and appreciating the challenges of picking the right piece of wood for color and the challenges of cutting, sanding, and shaping to make it all fit.  

[barb.j.enders]

Looks good Frank.

I don't think you broke any rules on this, mostly because I don't think there are really any!  

I would have either used a shim under the tree to raise it a bit or shape/sand the background around the tree to have it proud of the background.  That would "trick" the eye to seeing it in the foreground.  

For sanding small pieces, I will use double sided tape and tape it to a larger chunk of wood for a better grip.

[FrankEV]

4 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

.... shim under the tree to raise it a bit or shape/sand the background around the tree to have it proud of the background.  That would "trick" the eye to seeing it in the foreground.  

For sanding small pieces, I will use double sided tape and tape it to a larger chunk of wood for a better grip.

I thought I should have made the tree proud of the background, but only after I had fully assembeled it and mounted on the backer.   

Thanks for the sanding tip!

[Dave Monk]

I usually edge glue my pieces to hold  all together Then I glue the whole thing on my backer. To many this method is also a rule breaker but it works best for me. 

[Gonzo]

Very nice. Like Dave M, I edge glue the pieces first 

[rjweb]

Frank, excellent job, RJ

[preprius]

another aspect to watch for is grain direction.  Next time watch the palm leaves grain.   Birds wings look great.

 

[preprius]

After some more thought and Google search, maybe segmentation of leaves could be centerline.

Here is a screen shot that shows ... upper right shades of green,

Dark black silhouette gives appearance of hanging gaps.

Then bottom right bright green also show length centerline.

 

Yep that would give extra effort.