Fretsaw project: Wacky Races - The Mean Machine

[yamatetsu]

"Wacky Races: The Mean Machine"

65,5 x 30cm, backer board 4mm, Mean Machine 4mm, Mean Machine backer board 4mm, 'cheap' DIY store ply, done with a hand held fretsaw with a #1 blade.



This one has many teensy small details, despite being pretty large. Check out the 'glass' in Dick Dastardly's sunglasses, the small one has the diameter of a toothpick.
I wanted to go with a bland background and a black shadow underneath the car, but the grain on the board I used just fits perfectly, it looks like the car is driving on a dirt road or something. Nice.

[FrankEV]

 Your work with a hand held fretsaw is magnificant.  I love your painting skills also.  The image is absolutely great.   However, although the grain of the backer works as you mentioned, I don't think it works for the viewers eye.  Unfinished plywood is just that, unfinished plywood, and that is all I see.  Your original concept sounds much better.  And, of course, the piece would then need a nice frame to finish it.

  

Edited July 13, 2025 by FrankEV

[Dave Monk]

Awesome work.

[Charlie E]

Love it. Thanks for the memory. I'd forgotten about that show.

[ChelCass]

Awesome!  Love the paint work.  TFS.

[daveww1]

terrific job

[yamatetsu]

17 hours ago, FrankEV said:

 Your work with a hand held fretsaw is magnificant.  I love your painting skills also.  The image is absolutely great.   However, although the grain of the backer works as you mentioned, I don't think it works for the viewers eye.  Unfinished plywood is just that, unfinished plywood, and that is all I see.  Your original concept sounds much better.  And, of course, the piece would then need a nice frame to finish it.

  

I just loved the flow of the grain too much to paint it over. I did cut the shadow and put the car and the shadow on a plain background, but it just looked ... plain.

As for the frame, it would of course be nice to have one, but making one is just too much hassle for me. I don't have any power tools except for a cheap grinder, so I have to do everything by hand. I am able to make a nice looking frame, but it would simply take too much work. 

[wombatie]

WOW awesome work.

Marg

[Scrappile]

WOW, that is some delicate scrolling. Very nice.

[heppnerguy]

this is a very interesting and imaginative project. I can't even imagine trying to cut something like this without a scroll saw. You are amazing to say the least.

Dick

heppnerguy

[yamatetsu]

11 hours ago, heppnerguy said:

 I can't even imagine trying to cut something like this without a scroll saw. 

I think that if you are able to do something like that with a scroll saw, you know all techniques that are required for the cutting process, so the hard pard is already done. It would just be a process of learning how to control the blade properly when using a handheld fretsaw, i.e. which speed to use in various situations and how to move and rotate the board around with just one hand. Plus you can also turn the saw around a bit, which helps cutting corners and curves.

I'd say that someone who is a good scroller would be able to use a handheld fretsaw. It would definitely take some time and much practising to get to the same level, but if someone who had zero woodworking experience (that's me!) can do it...

[heppnerguy]

8 hours ago, yamatetsu said:

I think that if you are able to do something like that with a scroll saw, you know all techniques that are required for the cutting process, so the hard pard is already done. It would just be a process of learning how to control the blade properly when using a handheld fretsaw, i.e. which speed to use in various situations and how to move and rotate the board around with just one hand. Plus you can also turn the saw around a bit, which helps cutting corners and curves.

I'd say that someone who is a good scroller would be able to use a handheld fretsaw. It would definitely take some time and much practising to get to the same level, but if someone who had zero woodworking experience (that's me!) can do it...

I have to say, I have a lot of respect for you and your using a hand  powered  saw.  I guess it is a little bit like most scrollers give up on  first of second try with a spiral blade but with a little time spent with a spiral, it becomes a go to blade in a lot of cases. So not  giving up and taking time to learn to use a hand powered scroll saw all depends on how much one wishes to learn to use one. That is what I get from what you are telling me and I can testify the same with using a spiral. I still respect you as 'over the top' scroller.

Dick

heppnerguy