Iguanadon

As many have stated and heard, Pegas blades are amazing and I finally got around to really trying them. Up until now I've been using Olson Mach Speed #3 for cutting my puzzles from 3/4" poplar. The #3 Pegas Modified Geometry was noticeably thinner and that's why I held off on trying them. I was worried about blade "flex" which happens when using thin blades in thick/hard wood causing the puzzle pieces to not slide in and out from both directions. Last week I tried the #5 Pegas MG blade and it cut very smooth and I liked it, but the puzzle pieces were slightly looser than I like so I went back to the Olson Mach Speed #3. Today however I felt adventurous and gave the Pegas MG #3 a shot and am happy to report that I had no issues and the Pegas blades slice through poplar like butter. I'm beginning to think the Pegas blades may in fact save wear and tear on my saw in that they cut so smooth and so aggressively I'm not putting any added pressure on the piece as I'm feeding it. Who knows, I may get more than 1 year from a DeWalt now. ;-) For any of my puzzle zombie followers out there, give the Pegas blades a shot, #3 and #5 to see which one you prefer. Oh, and the Pegas blades cut amazingly "straight"... I'm having to relearn how to cut I'm so used to cutting at an "angle" for a straight line. Break time over, back to cutting. Iggy

Nice work. As a rabid Duke fan, I'd never have a house divided as I would never have dated, let alone married a UNC fan. ;-)

Nice one Duke. I just received a new one from Harvey... Yeti... meaner looking version. If you don't already have it, take a look ... https://www.woodcraftbyscott.com/collections/scroll-saw-patterns/products/puzzle-patterns-sea-beach-creatures?variant=6908142288954

In the case of Harvey Byler's patterns, they are "Amish font"... he hand draws every one of his animals and lettering. He's Amish, so no computers allowed.

I enjoy cutting every one of 'em. I got those 21 done in 7 hours and that was taking breaks and going at a pace I was comfortable with. It wasn't a strain, but I definitely wouldn't want to do it every day.

Iggy - "I wonder if I could cut 20 animal puzzles in a day." Iggy - "Challenge accepted" Done, actually did 21... and probably won't do it again. LOL Ignore the ones stacked in the upper left corner, those are the ones I cut Thursday and Friday (only 10 each day)

Nice Kevin. Yeah, sometimes going from puzzle to non-puzzle takes some tweaking with the lettering. The Brittany and the Rottweiler both have the odd lettering in them.

Nicely done. I use Olson Mach Speed #3 blade. You just have to be careful not to "flex" the thinner blade as you're cutting which would cause issues with the pieces not able to slide in and out from both sides.

LOL! You can just buy the empty containers from Amazon. Although I wish they came filled with fried rice...

Pretty much... The Iggy Assembly Line... I've got a good rhythm going right now.

I'm still plugging away as I prepare for the selling season to really begin March 30/31... I'm seeing beach and sea critters in my sleep... and Dachshunds... Puzzles on the rack and bases painted and waiting to be painted...

Yeah, I'll let you keep thinking I could cut that one in 20 minutes. LOL I've never cut it, and not sure I really want to. ;-) Nicely done Kevin.

My avatar gives it the highest rating! Excellent work.

My pleasure and I'm glad your wife liked it. If you do the Unicorn or the Elephant, she'll make you cut puzzles full time forever. ;-) I sense another puzzle zombie joining the club. LOL

Yes, in my part of the country events cost anywhere from $10 to $250 for booth space.

I like it... MY WORST SHOW... let's hear your event disaster stories. LOL

For the worst event I've ever had!!! LOL For the record, I just got home and told my wife "If I ever tell you I'm thinking of signing up for some little festival or market, kick me in the testicular area as hard as you can and say "This is to remind you how painful it is to waste an entire day sitting around at an event not selling anything."" LOL Absolutely perfect weather today, great little venue... but a total bust. Sold 10 puzzles and 9 of them were my cheap kids puzzles. A horrible start to the year. But I wanted to give this local organization a shot that arranges for various pop-up markets around the area. I figured if it worked out, it would be nice to fit in whenever I didn't have something else going on. Now I know... stick to the top events only, quit wasting my time with these little things. OK, back to focusing on my big 2 day event in 5 weeks.

They're certainly not for everyone and for veteran scrollers, they're very "basic", but I really just find it very relaxing to cut them. Here's a freebie pattern for when you decide to try one. Rescue1.pdf

Yep, I'm to where I can do 3 in an hour if I choose. This is still a part-time "hobby" thing for me, I work full time (from home), but I sell enough of them to keep me busy cutting all year long. I cut for an hour and a half to two hours a day wanting to cut 30-40 a week.

They are 3/4" thick stock, all are done 1 at a time. One day when you're really bored you can watch me cut one... The saw is going full speed, it's just an optical illusion that it's going slow.

Big, 2 day event in nearby Southport at the end of March. I now have 3 items specific for them and will be cutting 15 of each to take with me. They have a HUGE 3 day 4th of July event that I'll also be doing, so the one next month will give me an idea of how many I'll need for that one. My first event of 2018 is this Saturday. First time working with this group of folks. I hope it goes well and look forward to joining them for more.

Just be sure to bury the bodies in your backyard at night so the drones can't see you. :-)

I'm right handed, but am left hand oriented in a lot of things and I cut the opposite direction Kevin does (clockwise I guess). Always.

Another puzzle zombie in the making!!! :-) 3/4" poplar, I use #3 blade (Olson Mach Speed) I know others who cut the same puzzles use #5. Anything smaller than a #3 and the blade flexes and you'll have issues with the pieces sliding in and out from both sides.

Thank you kindly fellow saw dust manufacturers!