Frank Pellow

From what some of you say, I might find some difficulties with removal of the tape on some large intricate patterns. Therefore, I look forward to Don's report on how the heat gun works for him.

Until two days ago, I was fairly happy (in my ignorance) with applying 3M spray glue onto the back of a pattern then sticking that pattern directly to the wood. Once I had finished cutting, I applied a solvent such as turpentine or varsol then pealed off the pattern. Then I cleaned up the remaining glue with the solvent. Cleanup was usually a bit tedious but it worked. Then, two days ago, a broke a piece by rubbing too vigorously during clean up. The piece had taken me about three hours to cut and I broke it so that it was beyond repair. I had read about folks using blue masking tape on the wood then gluing the pattern to the tape covered wood. This incident got me to finally getting around to trying it. In the attached photo I have applied the tape to the oak veneer that I am about to cut. Then, I glued on the Whiskey Jack pattern. I finished cutting the pattern earlier this evening. The remaining tape and pattern came off very easily and there was no cleanup. I wish I had paid attention and started doing this along time ago, but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

I, too, would take a chance on the Jet. Based on what I have heard and read from Steve and Ray, I'm even thinking about getting a Jet for my second shop location.

Len, General never did. Sommerville Design and Manufacturing did.

That good to know Don. But, when you say the 'same factory', I assume that you must mean the same non-Canadian factory that manufactured the Excalibur after they were bought out by General International.

What a terrible end for a great local company! The original Excalibur company was located about 20 kilometres away from my home in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. They got bought out about 10 years ago then the company that bought them got bought out, then that company (whoever they may be?) screwed up BIG TIME. I'm happy to say that my EX-30 was made locally. It's a great machine!

Thanks Dad! In the attached photo, that's my Dad holding me in 1942 just before Dad left for Europe for three years. I think I will cut a memorial plaque for him. It will probably feature a poppy as a symbol of remembrance and hope.

I was impressed by the pattern and, now, I'm even more impressed with the job you did using the pattern. I really like simple things that look so good.

I doubt that I will try this gizmo.

Helmut, the font that I used is named 'scroll England'.

It's almost 50-50 for me between Olson and Flying Dutchman. But, the poll only lets me choose one. Since Olson was behind in the count when I voted, that's who I voted for.

.While not athiest-themed, the ‘Yule Season Reason’ pttern (see: http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/21128-yule-season-reason/) and plaque (see: http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/21523-yule-season-reason-plaque/) do celebrate the late December “holiday†season in a way that can be supported by EVERYONE, not just by Christians. The winter soltice celebrations (known as Yule, Jul, Jol, Joulu, etc. by various northern European civilizations) predate Christianity.

You did a nice job on those and I the way that the symbol and the letters pop out, I hope that they will be more effective than the "normal" handicapped parking signs. In my experience, far too many ignorant/selfish/lazy/dolts utilize handicapped parking slots when they have no right to do so. I have, on occasion, taken such people to task and they have always claimed that they did not see the sign. These signs will be very hard to miss. And, I too, recommend spar varnish or spar urethane for signs that are exposed to the elements.

I meant to include a tip in the above post. I'll insert it here. Parts of the backer board need to be stained. In order to accurately figure out where those sections are, I first applied Varsol to the pattern on the foreground board, then carefully removed it in one piece. Next, I positioned the pattern over the backer and marked the sections to be stained using a pencil.

See the tread: http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/21128-yule-season-reason/for the pattern that I designed. I cut the plaque from 3mm thick Baltic Birch plywood and mounted it on 6 mm thick Fir plywood. I've now made one of these and have requests for more. As well as a photo of the plaque, I am attaching a photo of the back where I mention where the concept came from. I always mention the designer, if known, or the inspiration if there is one on the back of any object that I create.

Simple, but effective. My wife is also a big fan of puffins and I will probably attempt something similar; so thanks!

I have hung the three pieces described so far together on a wall in my office. Along with them, I have hung a pen and ink sketch of an old barn done about 40 years ago by my brother Bruce (now deceased). I plan to do at least three more related works and hang them on the same wall.

Katie (MrsN), I'm glad to hear that some other people are staining their work.

I've added another barn to this set. It's entitled 'Old Barn and Tree' and the pattern is by Kris (no last name that I could find). This time, I did not stain or paint the piece (other than staining the backer board black). Again, I used a quarter sawn white oak frame of my grandfather's design. I finished the frame with two coats of dark walnut Watco Oil.

My comment about both the pattern and the job that you have done is simple and that is: WOW!

I like the red but I also like to see the grain. I suggest that you experiment with a red dye or a red stain on the backer part so that you can have the best of both worlds?

I'm yet another person who would prefer the ornament with eyes -but with much smaller eyes.

Hey, I have been wondering about that for a future project. Now, I don't need to ask the question. Thanks!

There are some great fonts there -thanks for the link. I just finished downloading and using one of them (billieKid)) and I am certain that this won't be the last one that I utilize.

Mike, I just discovered your patterns today and I am very impressed. I'm probably going to tackle one of them soon and it will be either the 'Humpback Bridge' or the 'Glade Creek Mill'. You design really good animal patterns but, right now, I am working on a set of 'scenery' items and both of these fit well. I notice on your web site that you say you are starting to experiment with colour and will be posting something about that soon. I too, have done some work with colour and I talk about it in the thread: http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/17611-old-mill-old-barn-experiments-with-spiral-blades-and-with-staining/ Please let me know what you think about what I am doing.