Lucky2

Bobby, a board foot is a piece of lumber that measures, 12"x 12"x 1", it can be either one piece or, a few pieces that add up to 12". Len

Save the $40. bucks and a little more, then invest it in an Excaliber, the upper arm on them stays up when you lift on it. Len

Paul, I do fret work mostly, and I hardly ever have to do any amount of sanding. What I do is, I use the ultra scroll reverse blades to do the cuttings, I got them from Mike. After cutting out the subject, and depending on the frailness. I'll either remove the paper pattern before sanding, but, if the object is frail or, delicate, I'll leave the pattern on the wood while I sand it on the opposing side. I do this for the strength of the paper and the glue. Of course, this means that when your cutting out the pattern, it is good side down. Next I'll either sand or remove the pattern, depending on the frailness of it, you be the judge. I'll then do the sanding, and all I use to do most of my sanding is a detail sander. One of those types that use sanding pads that looks similar to a stretched triangle. Sometimes, I will lay an old towel under the object before sanding it. Like before you be the judge of how delicate the object is, and if you need a soft layer to protect what it is you cut out. I swear, I've never lost a cutting to sanding anything this way, and, I have often wondered why other people didn't sand their work this way. Presently, I'm using a no brand name detail sander, and I use 220 grit pads. Sanding this way is a lot like other things we attempt to do, it does take a bit of practicing. You will have to learn how much pressure to use, so you don't break something. And, it's good to learn what type of cutting should have the towel placed under it before sanding, not all pieces need the towel, but some do. I learned to do my finish sanding this way over the years, simply because I hated sanding my work by hand. Try this, it might solve your sanding troubles. I don't know how this will work if you use spiral blades, I only cut with flat blades. Ooops, I forgot to mention, I even use this method when sanding thin delicate fretwork ornaments, they are the ones that need the towel under them when sanding. Sorry for being so long winded, but, I had to be to get all of the info included. Len P.S. I have no experience with the sanders your talking about, I have looked at them, but didn't buy any.

Nice paintings Carl, thanks for sharing them with us. Len

Looks nice, the fellow holding looks happy, is that who it was made for? Len

Right you are Gord, I never mentioned the Toronto Make Beliefs. I really didn't want to advertise, that I routed for them.lolol Len

Ya done good Jim, ya done good! Len

Nicely done John, I really like the way the grain displays itself in that little trinket box. Len

lolol, Gordster,it's easy to tell your from the atlantic provinces, we either route for the Bo Sox, or the Blue Jays. It's a tidy looking cutting, I think the new owner will love it. Len

Well done Ken, it should look spectacular once finished and assembled. Len

It's a looker, that's for sure. I have never attempted making one with the ribbon on it yet, but seeing this makes me want to try even more. Len

It's a terrific looking sign Terry, I'm quite sure that he will appreciate you giving it to him. Len

Nice sign Gordster, but, if not spar, what else is there to use to protect the letters? Len

Cute sign Tom, are snakes really much of a problem in your area? Len

Different and nice looking, I didn't know what to expect to see when I read the title. Don't be to critical of your work, it looks fine. Len

Nicely done, those would make it a lot easier to store things away for winter. Just wheel the wheelbarrow into the shed, then your done. Len

Nice bit of cutting Steve, I bet the people who you cut it out for love it. Your a one man show, you can make your own pattern and cut it out without needing any help, way to go. Len

BTDT a couple of times, you cleaned it the best way possible. Len

What I do is, I sand the piece of wood before anything else is done to it. Then, I cut out the pattern to as close to the edge of the drawing as possible. I hate having to remove unneeded paper and glue from the cutting. After cutting the pattern out with a pair of sissors, I then spray the back of the pattern and let it set for a few seconds to set up before applying the pattern to the piece of wood. I use nothing to fasten the pattern to the wood, other than spray glue. The reason for doing it this way, is that the veneer on plywood is so thin that it doesn't take much to lift the veneer. After cutting the project out, I remove the pattern by using mineral spirits. This will allow you to remove the pattern paper, without lifting the veneer. I then will finish the cutting with whatever type of finish I am using. Len

Welcome back Dan. Len

I used to purchase my small bits from Mike's, there, you could order how ever many you wanted of one size. Which I liked, rather than buying the little tin of a different sizes. Mike's was the only place that I know of that sold them in quanity rather than in a group of all different sizes, and he was the best price also. Len

Very nice Ducky, thanks for sharing it with us. Len

Wow John, it's an amazing looking cutting, I don't know if I'd ever attempt cutting it. I do hope you stack cut it, it would be a shame to do all of that cutting to only end up with one piece. You must have almost passed out, due to holding your breath for so long. There sure are a number of some very delicate cuts in this piece, about how long did it take you to cut this out? Oh yeah, thanks for sharing this beauty with us. Len

Very nice Travis, I imagine all of the Whovians will be looking for the pattern? The fretwork is what sells this piece, thanks for sharing it with us. Len

Tom, these look like they should be good sellers. Who does the painting, you or your wife? Len