Multi Species Nativity Puzzle - Starting Steps.

[rafairchild2]

I am taking 5 days leave from work, as I am #1, tired.  Also, come September things are going to get nuts at NATO, per usual this time of year, as new military personnel arrive, and other folk come back from leave.

So this is not Intarsia or Segmentation, but I use some of the same techniques, thus my posting here.  In particular, I use intarsia cutting techniques, so the exact line cuts so pieces fit as if they were cut from one piece of wood.  In reality, this is how I cut all my work.  I strive to cut my lines accurately. 

This is a nativity puzzle that will be a gift for my grandson. I will use 11 or 12 different species of wood for this one.  It's a great way to thin out my cast-off pile.

As you can see by the photos, I start with 5 or 6 copies of the pattern and then cut out and glue up each piece with a pattern part.  I am using Elmer's repositionable glue, as I did not want to use shelf liner and #m spray.  I put the pattern on, cut, then immediately take the remaining pattern off.

I am using a #9 Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse blade.  This gives me a very large kerf, so all I need to do is split the line and it will all fit together as you can see from my stopping point tonight.

Each piece will have its edges profiled slightly on both sides, as that visually makes it look better vs the 90-degree that you see right now.

I intend to show you the progress of this nativity, as I work my way to the finished product.

[dgman]

Looking good so far Richard! I am extremely familiar with that pattern as I cut about a dozen of them a year. I certainly don’t use different woods though. I cut them from 13/16” cherry. I use that thick of wood so the arch will stand on its own and it can be set up as a nativity scene.

looking forward the seeing the completed project!

[barb.j.enders]

Looking good.  Someone on a fb page was asking about that pattern.  They had a picture of it.  Where did the pattern come from?  I would love to cut that for my grandkids.

[rafairchild2]

3 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

Looking good.  Someone on a fb page was asking about that pattern.  They had a picture of it.  Where did the pattern come from?  I would love to cut that for my grandkids.

I saw a picture and made a pattern from it.  I am not selling this, just making for the grandson.

[rafairchild2]

Okay, got all the pieces cut out, and will be profiling them shortly.  But first is the frame/tray.  I am going to cut the perimeter first as I have a 4mm piece of baltic birch as the backer. Then I will take them apart and do the inside cuts.  I plan on trying to save the interior so I can have all the pieces from that 'scrap', perhaps I'll paint them.

You'll see some pencil lines, I plan on cutting 'indexes' in what would normally be scrap areas, and blank.

First, I am taking a nap!

 

 

[dgman]

3 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

Looking good.  Someone on a fb page was asking about that pattern.  They had a picture of it.  Where did the pattern come from?  I would love to cut that for my grandkids.

It’s in one of the scrollsaw magazines of about 10 years ago. If I find it, ill let you know what issue.

 

[rafairchild2]

So here's the frame cut out, just a few touch-up sanding points as it is a tight fit on a couple of pieces, then comes profiling which will make it look better, and hide my bobbles.

You can see some of the 'indexes' I cut, this way pieces hold in much better and give a couple hints on some of the pieces. 

If you look at the 'scrap' wood, you can see where I used some of the waste areas for blade turns.  I was using the 9 FD UR, should have gone with the #5 I would have gotten sharper turns on the star. I will be staining the frame once it is glued up.  Pieces will get the linseed oil dip.

[barb.j.enders]

21 hours ago, rafairchild2 said:

I saw a picture and made a pattern from it.  I am not selling this, just making for the grandson.

I have a feeling we saw the same picture. 

[rjweb]

Very nice, looking forward to seeing it completed, RJ

[dgman]

On 8/31/2024 at 5:56 AM, barb.j.enders said:

Looking good.  Someone on a fb page was asking about that pattern.  They had a picture of it.  Where did the pattern come from?  I would love to cut that for my grandkids.

The original pattern is in the 2011 Holiday issue of Creative Woodworks and crafts, a magazine that is no longer being published.

[barb.j.enders]

18 hours ago, dgman said:

The original pattern is in the 2011 Holiday issue of Creative Woodworks and crafts, a magazine that is no longer being published.

Darn.  

[NC Scroller]

I have made numerous copies of this puzzle.  They sell well at craft shows but I never used different color woods.  Thinking out loud now maybe I need to cut 5-6 puzzles out of various woods and then swap the pieces around. 

[old sarge]

On 9/3/2024 at 5:36 AM, barb.j.enders said:

Darn.  

Maybe you can find the issue you need here (kind of pricey)!  I've used eBay for cooking magazines that my wife likes.

https://www.ebay.com/b/Creative-Woodworks-Indiana-Magazine-Back-Issues/280/bn_7022375490

Edited September 7, 2024 by old sarge
clarification

[barb.j.enders]

6 hours ago, old sarge said:

Maybe you can find the issue you need here (kind of pricey)!  I've used eBay for cooking magazines that my wife likes.

https://www.ebay.com/b/Creative-Woodworks-Indiana-Magazine-Back-Issues/280/bn_7022375490

A little leary on ordering anything from the US now.  I ordered some patterns from JGR which arrived at my door yesterday.  Canada Post was charging an extra $19.67 for taxes & handling fees.   So after ordering the special (buy 3 get 3 of the $10.25 patterns), adding shipping and exchange. Each of my patterns now cost me $16.75.

[rafairchild2]

4 hours ago, barb.j.enders said:

. Each of my patterns now cost me $16.75.

Ouch! Pattern makers need to digitize more, and get them through email or some other online delivery system.  Postage is only going to go higher.

[BadBob]

20 hours ago, rafairchild2 said:

Ouch! Pattern makers need to digitize more, and get them through email or some other online delivery system.  Postage is only going to go higher.

Yes, I see one or two price increases from USPS a year. Other shippers are probably the same.