Travis

Yeehaw! We're going to make a scroll-sawn portrait of the infamous outlaw and gunfighter, Billy the Kid. So, grab your cowboy hat and belly up to the scroll saw to get started on this easy project that captures the Wild West spirit! Prepare Your Materials Print the pattern and cut it to size. A free downloadable PDF is available to SSV Patrons and linked at the bottom of this article. I also prepared some 2 pieces of 1/8" Baltic Birch plywood. I cut the plywood down to 8 inches square and sanded it with 220 grit sandpaper. I like to pre-sand it before cutting. It saves time at the end of the project, and I have much less risk of breaking those delicate parts. Attach The Pattern With spray adhesive, I spray the back of the pattern. Wait a few moments until the glue is tacky like a Post-It note. Then I apply it directly to the wood. I prefer Super 77 from 3M, but any spray adhesive works. Some folks like to cover the top with packing tape, however, I find it easier to skip that step. It makes removing the pattern much easier later on. Stack Cutting For this project, we're going to stack-cut this portrait. We're doing this for a couple of reasons. First, you get two copies of the project for the work of one. Second, since the 1/8" plywood is so thin, having a little extra thickness will help with controlling the cut. I stack 2 pieces of 1/8" Baltic Birch Plywood. I press them together tightly, then tape each of the four edges with painter's tape. It's important these are tight and won't slide. Pilot Holes With the smallest drillbit I have, I drill my pilot holes in each of the grey areas. This will be used to thread the scroll saw blade through. If you don't have a drill press, you can easily do it with a hand drill. Cutting Blade choice is a matter of preference. In this project, I'm using a #3 scroll reverse spiral blade. I tend to use spiral blades for portrait-style projects. It really lends itself well to organic shapes and makes it easy to cut. However, you can use a #3 scroll reverse straight blade too. Removing The Pattern I removed the masking tape from around the edges of our stack cut. To remove the pattern, I spritz down the pattern with mineral spirits. I wait a few moments until the pattern turns translucent. Then the pattern practically drops off on its own. This is why I prefer not to use packing tape. The packing tape will prevent the mineral spirits to absorb into the paper and dissolve the glue. However, you can peel off the packing tape first, then spritz it down. But I find it easier not having the packing tape at all. With a paper towel and mineral spirits, I will wipe down where the glue was just to remove any extra glue. Finishing There you go! Two cuttings for the work of one! Usually, there is minimal cleanup. Sometimes you have to clean out the fuzzies on the back of the project with some needle files or sandpaper. For finishing, I'll put on 2-3 coats of clear acrylic spray. I prefer Deft Satin spray. For an ultra-smooth finish, before the last coat, I'll hit it quickly with #0000 steel will. Framing I made a simple frame with some old weathered fence boards. A simple miter cut at the corners and glued them. For the backer, I like using black felt. I used plexiglass on top of the cutting to protect it from dust. The next step is to hang it up in your homestead! Final I hope you enjoyed this project. Billy The Kid has really captured the imagination of the Wild West and has lived a very interesting, although short, life. Take some time and read a bit more about him. A super interesting character for sure!

With Christmas around the corner, here are some of the items I find really useful in a scroll saw shop. All of these are from Amazon (my preferred shopping) with good ratings, but you can find them almost anywhere. Magnifying Glasses - We’re doing such fine detail work, it’s nice to get up close and personal. I really like these magnifying glasses. They have different powered glass inserts, so they can match your personal preferences. It also has a handy light on the top to direct light where you are looking. Work Light - Good lighting is essential. It helps you see the details but also eases eye fatigue. I like these ring lights with a magnifier. It provides great lighting, you have control over the direction, and you can also adjust the color temperature. Plus, having a magnifier is a great help when you’re doing detailed work. Test Tubes - These plastic test tubes are great for holding scroll saw blades. They have a screw-on cap so you don’t accidentally spill them on the floor (which I’ve done too many times). Plus, it makes you look like a mad scientist. Photo Tent - When we want to share pictures of our work, even lighting is key. These pop-up photo tents work great in getting the best picture possible. The sides of the tent are made of a white diffuser that evenly distributes the light. Works great with your phone, or a big fancy camera. Audible - We spend a lot of time at the saw and in the shop. I like spending time listening to audiobooks while I’m working. An Audible subscription is a great way to build up your library. Plus, they have a bunch of fun extras like dramatizations and exclusive podcasts. Hearing Protection - Protecting your hearing is important. Even a scroll saw, which isn’t typically very loud, can wear on your hearing over time. I really like these WorkTunes, so I can listen to the radio. But I really like the BlueTooth connection, so I can listen to my audiobooks from my phone. Dust Mask - A good dust mask is essential. With a scroll saw, we’re producing a lot of very fine dust, which is not good for your lungs. I like these RZ Masks. They’re very comfortable. I also like the velcro that fastens at the back of the head, making it easy to put on and take off. Plus it doesn't interfere with safety glasses or hearing protection. The filter is replaceable, which provides a lot of reusability. Pin Vice - This is basically a mini drill you use by hand. It’s used by model makers to drill very small holes. But I like having this near my scroll saw in case I need to drill a quick hole without going back to the drill press, or if I need to poke out a cut piece. You don’t want to drill every hole with it, but it sure is convenient when you don’t want to get up. This would make a great stocking stuffer. French Curves - Artists use these to create nice flowing curves. As scrollers, it’s nice to have a set around in case you need to adjust a pattern, or add a curve to your scroll saw project. Compass - Sure, you can buy a cheap, plastic compass in the school supply section. But they’re usually junk. They never seem to hold their position when I try to make a circle. I love having a quality compass. Plus, we all need to even draw circles in the shop. I hope you found a few things to tuck under your tree this Holiday season. Or at the very least, give you a few ideas on accessories to make your scrolling easier. Merry Christmas!