All I've ever used to color wood puzzles is clothes dye Rite brand. Using it, I can get whatever tint I want the wood to be, bright or dark. I mostly use pine, as my puzzles are made more for decorative purposes.
Len
Bronx, one thing to keep in mind, always measure the insert before cutting the whole. It doesn't take very long to do, and it can help prevent things like this from happening. There is a fix for this boo-boo, you can cut a ring out of another piece of wood. One that will fill the hole that is there now, then you can measure the insert and cut a hole the right size. This fix looks better, if you can use the same type and color of wood. I've done this in the past, and it does a nice job.
Len
Jason, buy as good a brand of saw as you can afford, don't settle. Do some testing if possible, try to try out other saws. Yes the Dewalt is a nice saw, but, I think a EX is nicer. I've tried both, and I purchased an EX21 as I found it to be a much nicer saw. Yes, it is more expensive, but you have to spend money to get quality.
Len
Sorry Gordie, but I don't understand your reply, please explain?? I was making my statement on what has been the norm since Santa first started. It's like the song goes, on Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, on Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, and on Blitzen.
Len
Kevin, it's an outstanding set of reindeer and sleigh, the detail work you added really sets it off. There is only one problem that I can see with it, there's not quite enough reindeer. At minimum there should be eight, nine if you want to include Rudolph.
Len
Jerry, there's nothing I know of, that will stand up to the heat of the cigarette coal. It will melt and burn, and there's always the possibility of the ashtray catching fire from an unattended cigarette. The box/dish your showing is far to deep to be used as an ashtray, it should be no higher then 1 and 1/2 inch high from the interior base.
Len
Paul, that's a dandy shelf, I would like to see the woodpecker cut out though. Thanks for sharing this video with us, and may you and yours have a very Merry Christmas.
Len