orangeman

Thanks for all the nice comments. I use soft maple simply because it is light in color and I haven't found anything else that is better. Softer woods would not work. I dilute concentrated food colors with either alcohol or water - I prefer alcohol but alcohol doesn't work with some colors. I buy the food colors by the quart/gallon from a bakery supply company in CA. Smaller quantities (and more of a selection) can be purchased from LoRann Oils -http://www.lorannoils.com/. I also like to use curly maple. Food colors plus a lacquer sealant produces a "shimmer" effect. The picture was taken before a lacquer sealant was applied. I really need to take a Craftsy photo course because I get glare on the pics with lacquer.

I have had requests for a sailboat puzzle. I've searched everywhere and could not find a decent design! So I had to design one. Colored it with food colors. It will debut at my next show in Fairhope, AL beginning March 16.

Toilet paper tube? Purely an old myth as toilet paper tubes have a wide range of diameters. bb

You could always make your own finish using pure tongue oil, Japan dryer, mineral spirits, and polyurethane. Just experiment with various ratios. I intend to do this soon. bb

I have a Hegner. Wish I didn't. Gathering dust in the corner. Blade breakage has always been a problem. I also have a Hawk (late 90's vintage and bought used) and a DeWalt 788 - both which I like very much. bb

posting the patterns would be helpful in making an assessment. bb

#3

Depends on how much it has been used. Take a spin on the saw. If it has much noise it may need bearings and other costly parts. bb

Plan the cuts in advance to avoid sharp turns! Sometimes this will involve cutting out the entire outline and sometimes not. Depends solely on the pattern. Most importantly, avoid 90 degree and higher turns if possible. bb

I just switched from Elmer's to 3M "45". Big difference. no flopping with "45". Wondering why you use blue tape AND packaging tape? Either one alone would do the job re blade lubrication. bb

Don't ya just know that the brand manager for Duck shelf liner is going nuts now? Just can't figure out why the stuff is flying off the shelves. Probably thinks teenagers are buying it by the carload for some nefarious reason. bb

local Walmart still carries. Might have to stock up! bb

place shelf paper on wood (after removing backing), then adhere paper pattern to to shelf paper with spray adhesive. The shelf paper lubricates the blade and prevents burning. bb

Thanks for the link Iggy! I believe I will order some of the "45". I've been using Elmer's and haven't been happy with it. Paper patterns and Elmers won't stick to that shelf paper. bb

Gosh, I paid about $125 for a Brother black and white laser printer a couple years ago. On my third cartridge @ ~ $55ea. When it dies I will investigate a color laser printer. What kind do you have. bb

A friend just tried this with an inkjet printer and the ink smeared. Not good. Maybe a laser printer would be better. bb

If you are using for blade lubrication DO NOT coat raw wood with varnish or shellac!

It is very involved. Must use a "hard" soft maple. I use a durometer to test every board I buy. Dilute concentrated food colors with water and/or alcohol. Dip pieces in solution and immediately wipe off excess liquid. Put pieces in a hair dryer with diffuser for a few seconds. Forget coloring pine as it is too soft. Alcohol will affect some colors and can not be used. That's it in a nutshell.

Danny, Absolutely no need to use mineral spirits when using shelf paper. Just peel it off and you are good to go. If fact I did a test today. No need to sand the surface either! A big plus as it saves time! bb

I just tried the adhesive shelf paper from Walmart. Placed it on the soft maple and then adhered the pattern to the shelf paper. I used to adhere the pattern to the wood with temp adhesive and then cover with clear packaging tape to lubricate the blade. The new (to me) technique does not leave a residue on the wood, as does temp adhesive, and therefore the results are much better when I dip the puzzle pieces in food dyes. I don't get the blotching effect that often occurs when I can't sand all the temp adhesive off before dipping. The only downside is that it takes longer to remove the shelf paper from the puzzle pieces. Long fingernails are a must too! I like the shelf paper better than blue painter's tape because the shelf paper is clear and you can work around imperfections in the wood with pattern placement. I don't know who first suggested shelf paper on this forum (I know IGGY uses it) but I want to shout out a big THANK YOU to whoever it was! Also, I think the shelf paper is a better blade lubricant vs packaging tape and blue painter's tape. I now believe I have mastered the technique of using food coloring on soft maple! It's only taken me 9 years! bb

I used a lawyer for creating my LLC. Seems like I paid $500 10 yrs ago. I don't think I would pay that again. The GA Secretary of State has LLC forms online. Also many Office Supply Stores have the forms. Just need to pay attention as to what your state requires for filing those forms and public notice. A good lawyer can penetrate the LLC liability shield if you don't "dot all the i"s and cross the t's"! And furthermore there are continuing requirements in order to keep the shield. bb

I often get questions if there are any choking pieces in a puzzle which folks are looking at for children. So I researched the government guidelines and came up with this device which I take to shows. A piece is considered chokable by the government if it can fit within the cavity of the device. bb And my label reads: WARNING: Chocking Hazard Contains small parts not suitable for children under 3 years of age. bb

I would add the ability of the saw to accommodate very fine jewelers blades to cut stamp puzzles like Carter Johnson showed us how to do. Presently my DeWalt can do that. My Hegner saw can not!!!!! I haven't tried it on my Hawk because the blade tensioning mechanism is a pain in the you know what. bb

I just tried the adhesive shelf paper from Walmart. Placed it on the soft maple and then adhered the pattern to the shelf paper. I used to adhere the pattern to the wood with temp adhesive and then cover with clear packaging tape to lubricate the blade. The new (to me) technique does not leave a residue on the wood, as does temp adhesive, and therefore the results are much better when I dip the puzzle pieces in food dyes. The only downside is that it takes longer to remove the shelf paper from the puzzle pieces. Long fingernails are a must too! I like the shelf paper better than blue painter's tape because the shelf paper is clear and you can work around imperfections in the wood with pattern placement. bb

The Puzzle Parley will be hosting separate and shared events with the Association of Games and Puzzles International July 13-15, 2018. Rochester, NY. Location: Doubletree Hotel, 1111Jefferson Rd., Rochester, NY. Details re agenda are being developed. Mention Group Block Code: Association of Games and Puzzles International for rooms at $119/night plus taxes. I plan to attend. bb