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RangerJay

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Everything posted by RangerJay

  1. RangerJay
    I brand my name onto projects that are large enough to take the brand - have been thinking of adding two additional brands - one the year - and the other my written initials. Smaller works - mostly ornaments - and unframed crosses - I don't worry about. Jay
  2. RangerJay
    What a great example you set for all of us. Congratulations on a marvelous contribution - and thanks for the inspiration. Jay
  3. RangerJay
    Sanding mops are about the best thing since the invention of slice bread. It's great strength to the scrollsaw artist (IMHO) is softening the hard inside edges of fretwork. I use a 4" mop - 220 grit - at the slowest speed on my drill press which I think is about 700 something RPM. I know others will use much higher speeds but this is what has worked for me. One caution to avoid damaging fretwork is to make multiple, light, slow passes in all 4 directions - at the same time firmly supporting the piece using both hands - making sure you also support, with your fingers, the back side of the point being sanded. If I am working on a large flat piece that doesn't lend itself to the mop being mounted on a drill press then I clamp the piece on my bench and use an old Makita 7.2 cordless drill my wife bought me well over 30 years ago - still going strong and the RPM's are about perfect for my liking. Same routine - multiple, light, slow passes on all 4 directions. Jay
  4. RangerJay
    If you utilize any background music in your booth or at your table - and can develop a bit of a seaside/ocean theme to the display of your work - then maybe think about iconic (but subtle) background sea sounds: waves breaking, seagulls, fog horns, whales, dolphins etc. Or ..... I also like the idea of doing portraits of famous musicians - and if you take the thought of background music a little further then what about portraits of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald together with their duet "Summertime" playing in that background? Sounds like a great challenge you have in front of you - please let us know how you make out. Good Luck, Jay
  5. RangerJay
    That is some piece of work - having a tough time trying to figure out how you might top that!! An incredible piece of art - beautiful. Thanks, Jay
  6. RangerJay
    Void?? - don't worry about it - you are the only one who knows now and will ever know - cutting looks great just as it is - and as for "new at this woodworking stuff" - also something anyone looking at this would never know - you have done an absolutely great job here - one that anyone would be proud of. There will definitely be some discussion on finishing - everyone has their own preferences - my own would be semi-gloss polyurethane. If the piece was well sanded before cutting then that will minimize the finish being absorbed into the end grain - not sure of the number of coats - am thinking a minimum of 4 and perhaps a few more just because it is an end grain - the actual number of coats you will need will make itself apparent as you go along - but do a light, fine sanding between all coats - and think of using 0000 steel wool impregnated with wax - then - polishing as your last act. You've got a great looking piece. Jay
  7. RangerJay
    We have done a lot of camping - and I've thought of taking the scroll saw - but in the end I opted for other choices ..... taking already cut pieces that needed sanding with the mop (on a cordless drill) or dremel - carving (veins or relief) - and I have always taken the computer - meaning I got the chance to spend time playing with pattern making software - guess what I am saying is I never actually took a saw - but neither did I find any shortage of scrollsaw type activities as long as I planned for them .... Enjoy your time away from the saw ......, Jay
  8. RangerJay
    That doesn't look like you struggled at all!! - terrific pattern and a really impressive final product - agree with heppnerguy when he says that you are a natural at this. Also agree with Falcon - once you get used to spirals they will become your go to blades. Jay
  9. RangerJay
    Doin' good there Kevin - I sure don't envy you folks your summer heat waves - but then again - I'm sure you don't envy us our winter cold snaps ..... Jay
  10. RangerJay
    Hi Rolf, It has always been more than a pleasure to view your work and to be able to take advantage of your thoughts and advice. Welcome - look forward to seeing you here (and there ....). Jay
  11. RangerJay
    Great looking piece of work - congratulations on a fine job. Jay
  12. RangerJay
    That's a lot of serious cutting - very nice - and very impressive - hope you do well with the sales. Jay
  13. RangerJay
    Incredible piece of work - stunning. Thanks, Jay
  14. RangerJay
    For smaller, more delicate pieces I have evolved into a process that recycles the flat ends of scrollsaw blades as the glue applicator when using both CA glue and yellow carpenters glue. The ends of the scrollsaw blades make it very easy to apply glue to small pieces in measured amounts. Alternating the use of CA glue and yellow glue on the gluing surfaces gives the piece an instant bond allowing me to carry on to other pieces - and also gives me assurance that the piece is a lot more durable than it might look and if dropped the glued bond will not shatter. All gluing up is done before any application of oil - but individual pieces may be stained (and thoroughly dried) before gluing. Jay
  15. RangerJay
    So sorry to hear this. Jay
  16. RangerJay
    An interesting story that made our national news a week or so ago - although the word "copyright" was not mentioned: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/sussex-artist-portrait-controversy-1.3578619 Jay
  17. RangerJay
    What a great looking project and an even greater idea! My wife is always after me for my "collection" of mail, papers and dog treat bags on the floor around my chair. This idea - expanded a bit (maybe quite a bit) - would help clean up the floor, contribute to domestic harmony ..... and would look good too boot!! Thanks for the inspiration! Jay
  18. RangerJay
    What a great piece of work this person did - incredibly creative - sure does generate a lot of ideas ..... Thanks, Jay
  19. RangerJay
    Meaningful projects need to be done perfectly - and yours is about as perfect as it gets - very well done. Jay
  20. RangerJay
    I'm pretty much with Iguanadon on this one - but cover my my wood with painters tape - then spray Elmers adhesive on both the tape and the back of the pattern - immediately place the pattern - and finally cover it all with cellophane box tape. Used to have trouble with patterns lifting during cutting - heck of an irritant on larger projects with a lot of fine fretwork - but no more. Jay
  21. RangerJay
    That is not an uncommon problem - and one I also had when first trying spiral blades. When I asked the same question folks who had beaten the problem had a number of suggestions that included cleaning the residue off the ends of each blade with solvent, taking the "spiral" out of the ends with pliers, and also scuffing up the ends with sandpaper. The suggestion that I adopted - and one I that I have stayed with is to start buying Flying Dutchman spiral blades with flat ends - no issues since with these blades. Jay
  22. RangerJay
    You folks put me to shame. In years past I gave mine to a serious model train enthusiast - he used it for building landscapes - grass, trees etc. .... but that was a long time ago ..... .... now it goes to the landfill .... Jay
  23. RangerJay
    This is a great looking project (and even functional!). Jay
  24. RangerJay
    Holy Moly Kevin - great work - as might be expected ..... .... think I've come to realize that if there was a Scrolling Hall of Fame you'd pretty much be front and centre ..... Jay
  25. RangerJay
    That is an exceptional piece - and another vote for at least 3 coats of semi-gloss (maybe more) - then buffed and polished to a soft lustre - you've made a really neat piece - one that someone is gonna wanna display for a long time.. Jay
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