RangerJay

Great looking job on a great looking pattern - and the frame is terrific too. Jay

There are a few different kinds of CA (Super Glue). Personally I've found a gap-filling CA glue (which is a little thicker) a bit easier to work with. My applicator most often is the flat end of a recycled scroll saw blade. On much larger pieces that might need glue you can supplement with alternate application of wood glue (ordinary yellow carpenters glue is fine) and dabs of CA blue - the result is a permanent bond that is less brittle. There are a couple cautions - CA glue bonds your skin pretty much instantly, it also very quickly bonds to many materials that you might use as your work surface (i.e. work bench). Personally I usually try to hold the pieces off any work surface while it sets (without touching the glue) - or - if a work surface is needed - then I use the metal surface of my table saw and break any bond with it quickly once the glued pieces have initially set. To get comfortable using it some practice is a good idea - may save your skin - will certainly save some frustration and may also save the project. Jay

Can't recall ever making an actual mistake ..... ..... however ..... ..... I do make find myself making creative pattern adjustments on a fairly regular and always impromptu basis .... ..... and CA glue really helps solidify the creative process ..... Jay

There are not a lot of really stand-out pattern-makers but Mike Williams would be one of them. Terrific looking cutting - and really enjoyed the slide show! Very interested to see what you do with color and a frame. Thanks, Jay

Regardless the method of holding the stack together it is also important - particularly with mulitple and larger pieces of hardwood that might be prone to a bit of warping - to ensure the stack is solid and flat - you do not want even a hint of "slop" between the pieces and you do not want any "cups" facing each other creating the potential for voids in the middle of your stack. Jay

Great looking display - no shortage of choices there!! Best of luck on the day! Jay

Very, very nice - a terrific piece for this neck of the woods. Jay

Thanks everyone for your kind words - really looking forward to sharing pictures of the completed projects. Jay

Might look like a bit of a stretch right now - but yes - these Clydesdale's are scrollsaw related. The intent is to put them on the front of a Fire Engine Clock identical to the one in the picture that I made a few years ago when my son was hired as a city Fireman. Of all the works that I've done since it remains as the stand-out piece that has the greatest "Wow!" factor - whether viewed up-close-and-personal or as a picture in my portfolio. The plan is available from Wildwood but I don't know the name of the pattern-maker - whoever it was sure hit the mark right. Anyway - I am making two more - one of them will grace our own home - and for that piece I wondered about a team of horses to pull it. After quite a bit of research on the internet these folks popped up: http://kulpmodelhorsestore.com/. The horses are plastic but the harnesses are hand made of leather. I can't say enough good about the service - we chatted back and forth for days on details - they were incredibly patient with all my questions. It is a bit of an understatement to say how pleased we both are with these (my wife was a little skeptical until the box was opened ..... ). The craftsmanship in these harnesses is stunning. Anyone who is interested in horses to include with one of their projects might do well to look these folks up. Once the clocks are done I will post pictures of the final works - target date for completion is the end of November ( yes ..... I'm slow ..... but I do get there ..... ) Thanks, Jay

This is a great tip - thanks dgman!! - very timely for my own frustrations with this issue - despite being a thread that you started in 2015!! Jay

Dave, I'm thinking you are in a place where we all spent time when we first began to use a scrollsaw. It was a pretty humbling moment for me - but I did get past it. The answer you are looking for includes research (on this forum), experimentation and most of all - practice - not necessarily in this order. I want to emphasize that it would be a pretty rare person to produce a work of art on their first try .... Since your scrollsaw is not a variable speed then think of using some different blades, some different feed speeds, and some different woods - do some straight lines, some curved lines, some tight turns and some circles - with each - you will very soon gain the knowledge and the skill you need - and the circle you have shown will become a perfect cut. .... and .... .... assuming you like what you are doing ..... .... you will find yourself saving for a variable speed saw ..... Jay

I do this all the time - but maybe a little different than what you are thinking. My primary tool is a sanding mop - used very gently - (read VERY gently) - (read EXCEPTIONALLY gentle) - in all 4 directions - and on all of my fretwork. The mop softens all hard edges and cleans up any "fuzzies" on the down side of the blade. My secondary tool is my dremel tool - first with a fine sanding drum on larger areas that might need it - and second with fine diamond burrs on smaller areas that might need it - note that the areas needing it should not be many - in fact very few - if at all - (assuming I have been clean about my cutting). Jay

Wow - that is a keeper for sure - great job - and it gives me lots of inspiration - now that I've got one knee replaced and am out walking the dog again I am using a hiking staff as well - and have been wondering about carving one out ..... your's sets the bar .... Thanks, Jay

Congratulations, Happy Birthday and Best Wishes for your continued recovery. I'm sure you're looking forward to putting that scrollsaw into high gear very soon .... Jay

What an incredible display of diversity - lots to choose from - lots for everyone - and it's all great! Well done. Jay

Every piece you make is incredible - but no doubt in my mind you are getting better and better at this kind of work all the time. Jay

Marvelous job - everything about it looks just great. What kind of wood is the burl? Thanks, Jay

They are all great - but that Cheetah is something else. Super work. Jay

Exceptionally well done - the wood and pattern go together perfectly. Jay

Well cut, well finished and well presented - well done!!! Jay

Great job on a terrific pattern. Jay

Beautiful work - jig looks looks like it could have been designed by an engineer - makes me think there might be a lot more baskets in your future!! ..... Jay

Marvelous workmanship on a great looking display. Jay

I'm treading into an area I know absolutely diddlysquat about ..... but what worked for me with the same issue when uploading pictures taken by my smartphone was to save the smartphone picture file to a different filename after you have done your editing - then use the picture with the new filename as the one you upload to whatever forum. Jay

Consistently stunning work Rolf - incredible talent. Jay