Fishman

Very nice! Glad you were able to get so many sales and responses in such a short time! I love the feeling of being able to make a little money from a hobby....means you can put it right back into the hobby.

I'm back with a new project I started last week and finally had the time to finish! It was my first time converting an image to a pattern and cutting it out. There are a few things I know could use some work, I'm very happy overall though! I'm not going to frame this one, I'm going to cut another (and hopefully better one) out of the new wood I bought. To the people with far more experience than me, what do you think? More specifically what about the eyes and mouth? They look okay? From what I've read those can be the hardest to get right in the pattern. You can be honest, don't worry I can take it....that's how I'm going to learn and improve. Thanks for looking!

I understand what you're saying. Would hate to cut something very delicate too soon, and have it break while cutting something else. Great work!

Out of the blades I've tried, I really like Flying Dutchman the best. I was in the same boat as you, wasn't sure what to get and all. I just ordered some #5, #7 and Superior Puzzle Blades. The puzzle blades are great if you're interested in making puzzles, or really small cuts with a very thin kerf. As for the #5 and #7 they seem to be pretty well rounded and I have been able to do everything I've wanted to do with them. With that said, I'm going to order some more soon and am going to get #9 as well. Now that I know I like the brand, I'm more comfortable buying different sizes. I want to try a spiral blade too I think. I bought them here: http://www.scrolleronline.com/category/471 Hope that helps a bit.

Absolutely stunning. Very nice work, pattern, and patience. Did you finish it with something? If you had to guess, how many hours did it take you about?

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Great pieces! I really love the crow and hand holding the heart, I'm thinking I want to do something like that myself now.

Nice pattern and cutting. I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of the replica sword you got too! It's actually a woman.

Thanks for the replies!

Thanks, I might give it another try. I will also look into this. So many options I'm all over the place at the moment, just trying to find what works best for me. Do you know of a good spray that would protect the photo? I know there are some out there, just wondering if you have ever used them? Wondering if could I use Deft over photos? I might have to try that today and see what happens. Thanks!

Thanks everybody! I remember Carter Johnson saying he uses plain old cheap Aleene's Tacky Glue. I'm thinking any glue like that or wood glue would work. I used spray adhesive for this one. Upon further investigation I noticed that the picture wasn't peeling, but more of splitting from itself. I will try some more testing and share whatever I find with everybody....maybe it will help somebody out. I will say I used some of the Mod Podge to glue a few more pictures last night, and from what I can tell there is no way you're getting them off. So far, as it stands Spray is not as good.

I haven't had anywhere near the amount of time I wanted to have in the garage, but I did manage to make my first puzzle tonight! Still need to work out a better method. I don't feel the photo is stuck to the wood well enough. Also don't know how I like cutting it after putting the Mod Podge on; even though it was recommended. All in all I think it came out pretty good....if I do say so myself. Oh, and the photo used was one I took. I dabble in photography too as another side hobby.

Very nicely cut, and an awesome little memorial/remembrance.

This happened to me once too when I was in a rush and not thinking on my first pattern. Now what I do is a neat little trick I came up with, that will work on most patterns. Not sure what program you use, but I would say they all have the Paint Bucket Tool. How it works is when you click in an area it will fill it up with what color you have chosen. It won't fill up any areas that are "blocked off" by lines. So after you're done with the pattern: pick a nice easy to see color (I use red), click somewhere on the background, and if everything fills up with the red that means it's all connected. If you're left with islands, that means you need to make a peninsula! I made a very quick video, with just some simple text. In it I show me using the paint bucket tool to reveal any islands, me fixing one of them, then using the tool again to show how it works. Figured it would help give you or anybody else a visual. Make sure to watch it in HD if you can. It's very simple, and can be used with most patterns one way or another as the premise is the same. It really can help eliminate the chance of an oversight. Hope it helps!

Those look great! What blade(s) did you use?

All very nice, you are the text king!

I will make sure to show you guys how it cuts. In the meantime here are some pics of it, and the small little gash that made it 70% off. Yeah Kevin, that's one of the reasons I usually don't like MDF. I know the dust can be very bad. I'm pretty sure this one is Formaldehyde free. Either way I will make sure to have my mask on. Good thing about the scroll saw is it doesn't seem to produce as much dust as some tools. Also glad to hear it cuts good, and I have gold to work with.

I made a birdhouse about 5 years ago, perhaps even a little longer and it's holding up great outdoors. I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor spray paint, and Cedar wood. Generally clear coats just don't hold up in the weather and sun, so I didn't use one. Not sure if this helps you or not, but figured I would at least try.

Welcome! I'm pretty new myself. I'm sure you will find out everybody is real nice and willing to help you out. If you have any questions just ask, and I hope you get into scrolling!

Nice sale! Looks like you've been busy. Thanks for sharing.

I went to Home Depot today looking for some more wood and came across these 1/4"x4'x8' sheets that looked really nice. Upon further investigation I found out they had a MDF core with a Oak or Birch layer on top and bottom. Once I found this out I was kind of bummed, I generally don't like anything MDF....even though these looked really nice. I got to talking with the employee for a good bit and looking around at what they had in stock. They didn't really seem to have what I was looking for (despite the employee really trying to help and being nice). I really just wanted a nice piece of 1/4" Baltic Birch or a 1/4" solid wood for portraits. We went back to the giant sheet of the Birch/MDF and we started talking about how it would cut. Neither of us had used it before, so we just weren't sure how it would hold up and finish. I told him it was a shame they didn't have any smaller sheets or I would get it to test. He then starts looking through the sheets, and finds this sheet with the smallest little smash on the edge. Then tells me "Oh well I guess I can give you this for 70% off!" Next thing you know we are bringing it back to the saw for him to cut into more manageable 2'x4' pieces, he marks it 70% off, tells me to let him know how it cuts and then I'm on my way. Long story short, I just got a 4 foot x 8 foot sheet of nice looking wood for only $9. So I'm pretty happy, it can be hard to find a true deal or hookup now days. Feels nice to get one . I know it might not be the best "wood" (even though it looks nice), but at the end of the day I will find a use for it. Even if it's just for a nice backer. I know this story was kind of random, but I just wanted to share. If you made it through the whole story, kudos to you! Anyway, I can't wait to see how it cuts and get some practice in. I will try to get some pictures of it tomorrow maybe.

Nice cut and it stands for something great. I have nothing but respect for Firefighters. Thank you for sharing.

Great cut! I like that magnifying glass too, I think I need to get one of those. I also see that feather sitting on top of wolf portrait.

I just purchased a can of Deft Semi-Gloss spray and I've never used this product before. Been looking all over and can't find a full dry time on it. Only thing on the can is a recoat time. So does anybody know the full dry/curing time on this stuff? Thanks!

What are the dimensions of it about? Can you easily and safely pick the whole thing up? What do you plan to finish it with? Can you take the clock out of it temporarily? Just trying to get some more info to help brainstorm a solution for you.