Lucky2

Tom, why do you wan to use danish oil, is it just to make the grain pop? What I do, especially with something like coasters is, I'll mix a 50/50 mixture of varathane and paint thinner. Then pour it into a pie plate and dip the coasters in the mix, it will fill all cavities plus it will soak deep into the wood. After the coasters have soaked for about 10-15 secs, take them out of the mixture and lay them flat on a clean cloth or paper towels to dry. After they've had a chance to dry well, I take them and give them a light sanding and a final coating of varathane. The final coating is done with unmixed varathane, you use it right out of the can. The reason I go about doing it this way is, that the mixed oil and varathane will seal the wood against ever getting water stains. Len

The proper height to have your saw sitting at, is whatever height is most comfortable for the person who uses the saw the most. Len

Well then Doug you should be very satisfied, cause you definitely did do Russells pattern justice. Len

Russell, I hate to think that your throwing in the towel and giving up, especially, if this is your first cutting on a $5.00 saw. You definitely have the ability to cut, all you need is more practice. Don't give up so quickly, I think that if you stick with it, you'll really enjoy it. Your skills at making patterns is amazing, why not be amazing at cutting some of those patterns out with the scrolling skills you seem to already have? Len

It's a gorgeous cutting Carl, I do see a few hold your breath moments in this one. Thanks for sharing it with us. Len

I get the same reply as Kevin. Len

After drilling the holes, I sand the back of all of my projects smooth with a detail sander. Then I insert the tip of an awl up through the bottom as far as it will go, using the awl opens up the holes to be even a bit bigger than the hole was drilled. It also rounds over the edge that was left by drilling, so, the saw blade slides up into the hole easier. Len

Holy smokes, Paul what a cutting, but, from what I saw in your album it's just another day at the saw for you. You've done some amazing cuts, I really like the one that portrays the nativity scene. I hope you don't mind me asking, but, where can I buy a copy of it to cut on my own? Is it a Charles Dearing pattern? Maybe, I should check out his site? Len

You're one in a million Kevin, one in a million. Len

Larry, it's a round about way of swearing, without actually saying the words. What The Duck, change the D to a F and you got it. |Some people will change the last word, but, in the real world it means what I've typed. Len

If there is any whiskers on the back side of the cutting, I do the same as Eugene has mentioned. I use my detail sander, even on my fretwork, which is what I mostly cut and I've never had a loss from doing so. Len

If I'm going to cut something that will have lots of whiskers on the back, I will shellac the wood. A light coating on each side is good, but, not needed. You only have to shellac the back side, as that is the side that will splinter. I only have to shellac the back if I'm cutting thin or brittle stock, and I use Flying Dutchman blades, the scroll reverse or ultra reverse type. Len

I purchased a pattern from Pedro a few years ago, it was a pleasant experience. He's quick to reply to any questions you might have, and he does what he can to keep his customers happy. I read some of his customers replies, and they seem to be happy with his service and there's little to no negativity in their responses. If it was me that was purchasing it, I would bite the bullet and pay the extra to have a printed copy sent to me. The reason for doing so, would be due to some copiers and printers distorting the size of the pattern. I had this happen to me once, the printer downsized parts the pattern by 3%, it was a nightmare and an awful waste of BB plywood. Len

That's exactly what I was going to post, it's the first time I've ever seen them also. Len

Congrats Clayton, you will soon realize just how smart the decision to buy an EX was, you will be impressed with it, I can pretty much guarantee that. Len

Thumper, personally I'd go for the new one over a used one, that is if you can afford it. I never liked buying someone else's problems, which is what you could be doing by buying a used one. The EX21, if you buy it, should be the last scroll saw that you'll need to purchase. I purchased one three years ago, and I am as happy today with my purchase as I was the day I bought it. I don't know what type of cutting your going to be doing, but, if your going to be cutting anything on an angle you definitely want the EX. A lot of people don't realize, just how much of an advantage it is to have the head tilt rather than table, the blade changes are about as easy as you can get. The saw runs oh so smoothly, and there's no vibration with the saw running. I may have a bit of a slanted opinion on the General or EX21 as we call them, simply because I own one, bur I'm basing my opinion on what I've used in the past to cut with. I went through two Delta scroll saws, and used a Dewalt for four or five months while waiting to save up enough money for my EX21. The Dewalt was a loaner from a friend, he didn't use it much, it was a descent saw, but, it's no General. And last if not least, the pride of ownership you feel every time you look at your new General, is priceless! Len

Kevin, all they are is a set of brass set-up blocks, the set I own measures from 1/8" to 1/2". What they are, is small strips or pieces of brass that are used to set the height of a cut. You lay them flat on the table of your saw, and then you raise your blade to the height of the block. That gives you your measurement, you can use two or three of the set-up blocks combined to get the measurement you want, which is usually depth of cut. I no longer use the set I own, I bought an electronic depth gauge, and I use it to get a more exact measurement easier. Hope this explains it good enough for you to understand what they are. You must of seen a set of these over the years, but just didn't know what they were used for, hey, we're all like that sometime. Len

Congrats on the large order Kurt, your work looks fantastic. I checked out your last sample posted, and I think that you should be placing a period after IT. Len

Come on guys, you're only allowed so many lines or letters. I like the looks of both burners, they are a lot fancier then the one I got. Len

Dick, I understand completely, and admire why you made the decision you did. I am the same way, if it's not perfect, or, good enough for me, then it's not good enough for anyone else. Just so you know, I've been known to be just a bit fussy. Plus, if it has my name on it, it has to be just so, or, it will not leave the workshop. Good luck with your next try. Len

Now that's a keepsake, hope she has it forever. Len

I have an electric one, it takes a while to heat up, but, once it does, it does a great job of leaving my mark. I haven't used it for a while, simply because I haven't made anything. Len

Perk, you did an exemplary job on this project, but, that's nothing new for you. I did not comment on your question about price earlier, but, now that it is finished I feel comfortable doing so. You stated that this is made for a friend, if that is the case it means that you will have to give the price you charge some consideration. Personally, I don't charge my friends as much as I do strangers, after all the person is a friend. For this beauty I would probably charge my friend $80.00, but, a stranger would have to pay $100.00. This is the way I do things, it's up to you to figure out what you think is a fair price for your area. Plus my price is based on how fast I do a project, and if I liked cutting the item, frustration has it's price.lol Len P.S. The coloring you added to this portrait cutting, is a big part of what makes it look as good as it does. I imagine the people who will get it, will like that you can tell from the portrait itself that it is a cutting of Afro-Americans. I like that, usually when I see a portrait cutting, I see a white person. Please forgive me if I've offended anyone with my statement, I did not mean to do so, if I did, I was just trying to explain how I see things through my eyes. Len

All I've ever used to remove the fuzzies, is an electric detail sander. It makes no difference how fragile the cutting is, I've never had any damage caused by doing so. Len

Very nice. Len