Mischievous pup

[bandaideman]

I have done a few simple intarsias and not too bad of a result. I have tackled a more involved one now and was looking for any pointers and suggestions. I am doing the Mischievous pup by Kathy Wise in the fall 2010 Scrollsaw Woodworking &Crafts page 60. I have it cut out except for the shoe lace at this point.  would you start from top to bottom or bottom to top. glue pieces as you go and get them shaped. I seem to have adjustments to make either way I go to square it with the backing. I have decided to do it as Ms Wise did then make the backing since using the back confuses me. If anyone has done this particular one your input would be helpful. Thank you

[amazingkevin]

Hi DAN ,you brought back fond memories .I too have done the pup as a practice piece.and lved every minute of it .it's been a while so I don't remember where I started and ended .funny thing I could never afford a dw788 and  a guy had a used one on craigs list .I looked it over  tried it .and came back with my best trades ,but he wouldn't bite . ok lets try some of my intarsia practice pieces.as soon as he seen the first one I seen his eyebrows raise andhis jaw drop open .he turned to me with hand out and said we got a deal.i love the pup dearly and was my first intarsia which you can see in the old gallery under amazingkevin,he got the English bull dog 33'' tall and eagle and the dog plus my 10" telescope for the saw I didn't need them and he didn't need the saw we both happy campers who would have thought.wish I could tell you more of what you want to know but lost for correct helping words.

[spirithorse]

Hi, Dan,

I have not done this project but, having done several intarsia pieces, if I were to begin this one

I would start with the dog's face and align each piece accordingly to fit each piece in the correct

position.

People have their own preferences about the cutting and shaping of intarsia projects.

I prefer to cut a piece, make any necessary adjustments to where the next piece adjoins that one,

and then tape the pieces together with masking tape. Then adjust for any slight errors in cutting so the

next piece adjoins the first two pieces and tape them together. I do that through-out the entire project and

then shape the pieces after the entire image is cut with good joints.

After shaping, I glue each piece together on wax paper to ensure I have them all re-positioned correctly.

The carpenter's glue allows time to re-adjust if necessary and, once the glue begins to set up, the pieces are

held together very well on the wax paper.

After it is all glued, I can trace around the image for the backer and then just glue the entire project onto the

backer.

Sorry to be so long winded but, hopefully it will help you with various ideas you may want to try to see if it makes

the project go more smoothly.

God Bless! Spirithorse

[amazingkevin]

Thanks spirthorse it was bothering me not giving enough info hor him.

[trailfndr]

Dan,  I follow a path similar to Spirithorse.  I cut all the pieces (fitting as I go to insure a good fit), then add any shims I feel are needed to raise or lower a piece.  Shape using sanding shims where applicable, and then assemble on wax paper.  If you have a good fit, it matters litte as to where to begin the assembly, although I tend to begin with whatever I have raised the highest, first gluing on the shims, and then the next piece.  Backing is done AFTER the glue is dried so I can slide the piece onto the back, trace around it, slide the piece off and then cut the backing.  This same method works with ANY pattern.  Best of luck, and lets see the finished piece.

[bandaideman]

^{Thanks for you responses everyone. They are helpful to me, I would not have thought of the wax paper.. I had started with the head and then was trying to fit into a pre cut backer and not having good luck fitting it to that without hit be off a lot. I will continue not and not worry about a backer until the end. Which with the smaller ones was not as large of an issue. I will hope to get it done in the next few months. I know that sounds like a long time but time is short and patience at time even shorter but will show it when it is done.}

Edited December 24, 2013 by bandaideman