dansnow

I would use rattle cans. A couple coats with Krylon Primer, sand lightly with 220/320 paper, then a couple coats or so of Krylon in your desired color. Works fantastic for me.

Don't have a pattern per se, I googled train puzzles, found this one, saved and printed the picture actual size, then copied it at 115% If you want to PM me a street address I can mail you a print that I use. When cutting, depending on the tightness of the grain of the wood I'm using, I'll make some of the small tabs thicker to give them more strength.

Thanks Guys! I had to recut the train. The cab piece I was worried about cracked while sanding. No biggee, It only takes about 15 minutes to cut out of 3/4" pine with a 5PGR blade. The pieces were redesigned to eliminate thin sections.

Ya beat me Dan. He's right Kevin, go to gallery, select the pictures and email them to yourself.

That is super kool!

I will occasionally google images of one thing or another to get ideas for our inventory. While looking at puzzles I saw a photograph of a couple that looked folk art-ish enough. Played around with a pencil and a copier for a bit and came up with these two. On the train I realized as soon as I cut the cab section that I was going to have to redesign the joint because the original is way too fragile. I was able to reinforce the piece, but subsequent pieces (if they sell) will be better designed.

What is this rain of which you speak? Here in Northern California we don't remember what rain is. Some claim it is only a myth while others say it is a magic elixir that falls from the sky.

Check out local stores that sell shelving, displays and supplies for retail stores. They often have really good prices for bags, sleeves, all sorts of supplies. We have one near us where we get our paper bags and wire grid walls for our booth at craft fairs.

Sounds like it was fun. If any of you folks ever wander through Sacramento, let me know and we can hook up for a coffee somewheres.

Dang!! Wish I had some luck like that!!

Oh Kwap, meant to put this in Work in progress. Sorry 'bout that.

Here's a shot of projects currently under progress in the shop. From left to right we have (2) pull toy dachshunds with articulated legs, A Story Cross from Steve Good, a Heart Cross, also from Steve Good, and an articulated dragon in which all four legs, the tail, the wings and the head move. Not shown is a Christmas Box from Sheila Landry that my son is working on. Gotta get ready for the holiday season. Also not shown is an Alphabet Snake that has proven to be immensely popular.

Nice job.

I really like it! Great Job

Thank you for the many kind words folks. Interesting thing, while I'm glad I did the cutting now, I think it's best if it stays on a shelf while Arlo is still with us.

I had a hard time deciding to post this here, because somehow Bragging Rights really didn't seem to fit. Here's the back story: As some of you know, about 2 months ago we had to have our 13 yr old greyhound put to sleep. He was my wife Lins' dog and she took it hard. Thanks to Grampa I was able to get a pattern and cut a portrait for her. Over the next few weeks we were a little concerned because my 10yr old Llewellyn setter wasn't eating well. For a couple weeks we figured it was because he'd grown up with the greyhound and they were good buddies. But as time passed and his appetite disappeared, we took him to the vet. After two visits and what tests we could afford the prognosis isn't good. It's likely cancer. Since then he's gone from about 55 pounds down to somewhere in the low 40's. He's eating maybe 300 calories a day, slowly getting weaker. This was really hard, because of the many dogs we've had, Arlo is a special one. As the greyhound, Zeller, was special to Lin, so Arlo is special to me. Thankfully I had a photo of him I liked, and Grampa was gracious enough to create a pattern for me. I had mentioned that I was having a hard time trying to decide when to cut it, and he suggested that before might be easier. He was right. This is the result. The frame is temporary until we can get a more appropriate one, then it will be displayed next to his pal Zeller. Thank You Grampa, for your heartwarming gift. And Thank You Arlo, for the many wonderful years you allowed us to live in your house!

You're definitely not alone. I've had many projects that didn't quite end up the way I thought they would. But then, unless I tell somebody, they'd never know!!!

I started scrolling with a Dremel 16" 2 speed, but after about a year knew I needed something better. What sold me on the EX-21, even though it was $250 more than the DW788 was the fact that the saw tilted instead of the table, and the fact that the arm held itself up when changing blades or feeding the blade through the work. That and it's reputation with many scrollers I talked to. I heartily agree with the recommendation of buying from Seyco if buying in the US. I wish I had, but even so, they have helped me out a couple of times when I had questions about adjustments. And yeah, the dust collection on my anniversary edition was worth a chuckle, but that's about it.

Looks Good Dick, where did you find the plan?

What do you call a retired cowboy? Deranged.

Clear packing tape will help the dust issue in a couple ways. It does seems to keep the dust down a bit, but to me more important, it is a slick surface so if your puffer isn't real strong, it still has a better chance to get the dust out of the way on the slicker surface.

Well Dang! Seems I'm a day late and a dollar short! Again! Happy Birthday Roly!!!!

Yup, I qualify for the Senior discount too. 2 eggs overeasy, hash browns and 4 slices of bacon please, with a hot cup of black coffee to wash it all down.

Unfortunately the good news for our dog Arlo was only a momentary respite. The following day what appetite he had disappeared. Since then the amount we've been able to get him to eat can be measured in just a few ounces per day. It is so heartbreaking to see him want to eat but then turn away from everything offered. He continues to lose weight, and The vet told us yesterday she feels it is unlikely he will recover. I feel like I'm losing my best friend and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it. Sorry, it's hard to hang onto ones emotions when all you really want to do is........ well, thanks for letting me vent a bit folks.

Well, the quandry has been avoided for now. I had sent him a long email explaining what it would take to cut out and make the truck, and that since his son was only 3 there wasn't really anything in the process he could participate in. The fellow thanked me for explaining it to him, and has decided to wait a few years until his son is old enough to take part.