Groundhog - Scroll Saw Challenge

[Travis]

Happy Groundhog's Day!  This is a bit of a strange challenge.  I took a bit of inspiration from Bill Murry who experiences the same day over and over.  This scroll saw challenge is to share projects that you tend to do a lot of.  Maybe you make a ton of keychains to give out for gifts.  Or maybe you make a lot of puzzles for craft fairs because they're hot sellers.  Or a bunch of rock-and-roll portraits.  What is your go-to project?  Something that's a crowd pleaser, or just a you pleaser.  Tell us about them.  It's fun to hear the stories behind the projects.

[Jim McDonald]

This is a Steve Good pattern and I first made about eight as "special" Christmas presents. 

Then, I got a request from one of the recipients for two more.

Word got out and since then I have probably made 20 or so. The back and lids have always been walnut, but the layers inside have been butternut, maple and even poplar.

[ChelCass]

When I am stuck inside because of the weather I make Holiday wreaths for our doors.  The do dads around the wreath are cut on the scroll saw. 

Edited February 3 by ChelCass

[dgman]

I have a lot of go to items. With two venders I supply, and one craft show in November, I go through about 100 Mini Birdhouses a year. I decided to start early this year. 137 or so birdhouses cut and in process of mounting the perches. All the birds are cut. Woods used for the Birdhouses used were Mahogany, Maple, Redheart, Yellowheart, Walnut, olive wood, Sycamore, Poplar, aromatic cedar and some mystery woods. Woods used for the birds were Maple, Redheart, Yellowheart, Purpleheart, Mahogany, and Ebony.

[Jim McDonald]

I gave it a WOW, simply because there is no button for "Holy Smokes!"

[wombatie]

   I have cut hundreds of these over the years, mainly for family's.

[Fab4]

On 2/3/2026 at 7:27 PM, dgman said:

I have a lot of go to items. With two venders I supply, and one craft show in November, I go through about 100 Mini Birdhouses a year. I decided to start early this year. 137 or so birdhouses cut and in process of mounting the perches. All the birds are cut. Woods used for the Birdhouses used were Mahogany, Maple, Redheart, Yellowheart, Walnut, olive wood, Sycamore, Poplar, aromatic cedar and some mystery woods. Woods used for the birds were Maple, Redheart, Yellowheart, Purpleheart, Mahogany, and Ebony.

Hi Dan:
Congratulations, you just made my list for "insanity at it's best"
It's not a bad thing,  keep on scrolling, keep it fun.  Well done
Fab4

[ScrollSaw Creation]

I’ve always believed that even the smallest tools in our workshop deserve a touch of craftsmanship. This project started when I realized my scroll saw blades were getting disorganized, and I wanted a solution that wasn't just functional, but also a joy to look at.

The body is handcrafted from a combination of Pine wood and Solid wood. I chose these materials to create a clean, natural look that highlights the beauty of the wood grain. The biggest challenge—and the part I’m most proud of—is the mitered corner joints. I focused heavily on precision here, because in woodworking, I believe that true strength follows a perfect fit. If the joints are precise, the durability will follow naturally.

It’s more than just a holder; it’s a tribute to the precision that scroll sawing requires. I hope this inspires fellow scrollers to give their shop accessories a little extra love!"

 

Contact Information:

Name: EmperkayuL

ocation: Indonesia

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AbvsMb2eq/

Email: [email protected]

[Sycamore67]

I seem to make more Reindeer every year a nd people really like them.  I have made them from 1" to 8" tall.

[RabidAlien]

some of the ones that I keep coming back to.  Steve Good veteran compound cuts, and some F-bombs that were my early attempts at designing.  

[DickMira]

This guy applied for the groundhog job in Pennsylvania but was rejected.  The weather will still be snow covered for a while in our state.

[Gonzo]

It seems like I can’t keep these in stock. This took the place of burdhouse ornaments as my number one request 

[rjweb]

Very nice, that's a Steve good pattern correct ?, RJ

[DickMira]

I don't think this pattern was by Steve Good.  The search for the real identity is underway'   

[Wichman]

2 hours ago, DickMira said:

I don't think this pattern was by Steve Good.  The search for the real identity is underway'   

Definitely a SG pattern, search for "penny"

[DickMira]

We are attempting to find the pattern designer for the RACCOON.

[Roberta Moreton]

On 2/10/2026 at 2:27 PM, rjweb said:

Very nice, that's a Steve good pattern correct ?, RJ

That is a Steve Good pattern. Listed under Game. It’s called Penny Drop. 

[rjweb]

Thx for the info, got it, RJ

[courtym74]

I have made more of the Jesus fish than I can count. My cousin who got me started scrolling made the pattern. And whenever there is a benefit in my area I will donate a cubs or cards plaque if they are having a silent auction so I've made quite a few of those.  Being in central Illinois they usually do quite well.  One year I was even able to meet Mike Matheny (former Cardinal manager) and get an autographed one to auction off. 

[courtym74]

On 2/9/2026 at 6:23 AM, RabidAlien said:

some of the ones that I keep coming back to.  Steve Good veteran compound cuts, and some F-bombs that were my early attempts at designing.  

What blade are you using for the compound cuts?

[RabidAlien]

20 hours ago, courtym74 said:

What blade are you using for the compound cuts?

I usually use a 1/16 drill bit, and a Pegas MG #1 or #3 blade.  Drill all the pilot holes, cut all the scrap out of one side, then flip and cut the scrap out of the other.  I have a cheap icepick that I use to spear stubborn pieces that don't want to come out of the oddly-shaped interior holes, or I'll put the blade back in and kinda chop up any stuck interior pieces (carefully so as not to hit final project).

 

[courtym74]

2 hours ago, RabidAlien said:

I usually use a 1/16 drill bit, and a Pegas MG #1 or #3 blade.  Drill all the pilot holes, cut all the scrap out of one side, then flip and cut the scrap out of the other.  I have a cheap icepick that I use to spear stubborn pieces that don't want to come out of the oddly-shaped interior holes, or I'll put the blade back in and kinda chop up any stuck interior pieces (carefully so as not to hit final project).

 

Sounds just like what I do! even down to the cheap icepick. lol Looks like i need to get some pegas blades though. I usually just have Molson as that's what's easily available in my area. 

[Archer]

 

Magnets are what I make most. Of the thirty-some things I've made so far magnets make up twenty-some. The picture is a bunch of half-done magnets I'm making for commissions. Cut on a Delta 16in with Niqua reverse-tooth #5 blades. Woods used are bamboo, pine and silky-oak.

[barb.j.enders]

I have made lots of items lots of time.  This one have made about 6 of.  I am currently in the process of making 15 more, in three sizes, for a major sailing regatta.  The small one is a standard letter size.  They are 1/4" ply, 2 per stack.

[RabidAlien]

9 hours ago, Archer said:

 

Magnets are what I make most. Of the thirty-some things I've made so far magnets make up twenty-some. The picture is a bunch of half-done magnets I'm making for commissions. Cut on a Delta 16in with Niqua reverse-tooth #5 blades. Woods used are bamboo, pine and silky-oak.

I order them in gross (144 quantity) from Bear Woods.  I believe they're Canadian, not sure whether hunting around in Australia would be cheaper than shipping from Canada.

 

https://www.bearwood.com/scroll-saw-blades-modified-geometry.html