meflick

Well, I know I haven't posted many projects lately. Sometimes I hate the work to get it done to share! Plus, while I have done a few things - I haven't done a lot for various reasons. I did recently really like the curved lid box that Steve Good shared on his blog a few days ago. You can find it on his site here: http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/06/curved-lid-box.html; On his pattern, he used a lotus flower I believe, but I decided to use the butterfly in honor of my mother's love for them since this week would have been her 82nd birthday. We unfortunately lost her 4 years ago to Alzheimer's. I wanted a simple butterfly design so did a google search for a simple butterfly silhouette image. The box body is cherry, top of lid is maple, and inside of butterfly is purple heart. I have not completely finished the box. I had just finished sanding it and wiping it down with MS and thought I better go get a picture! So, while I was going to take the picture of my box, I figured I would take a picture of the hot air ballon puzzles that I did a while back as well. The hot air ballon puzzles were designed by Sarah Lyn Chamberlain. The Orange and white one was published in the Summer, 2020, Issue 79 of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Magazine. It is the one with the tree frog Intarsia on the front cover found here: https://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/scroll-saw-woodworking-crafts-issue-79-summer-2020.html - Besides the pattern they put in the magazine, - they provided the second puzzle as a free download from their website which can be found here: https://1.shortstack.com/0tCJnG - They were cut from poplar wood and then painted full strength with Unicorn Spit paints. I thought they needed some bright colors as most hot air balloons do. The orange and white was in honor of my beloved hometown TN Vols and my daughter, who was here quarantine at the time, picked the colors for the other one. Just wanted you all to know that I am still scrolling some.

Hey Ray, I saw your post with question for Montserrat - and wanted to tell you she has her location on the members map. If you go to her profile page, and click on the map there you can see she is more in middle TN area - south of Nashville - close to Murfreesboro, TN so about 4 hours are so from Knoxville area based on looking at that map location.

Congratulations Brenda and enjoy your new saw!

@Iguanadon and @Rolf Thanks. I had previously purchased this NEJE one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M9CB3P7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 back last November but it is a little smaller engravable size area then I want and it did not engrave very well (if at all) on harder woods like maple even when I had it do it 10X times. It did engrave fine on soft wood like baltic burch. I wanted to be able to use to "sign" pieces on the back and possibly personalize like Iggy is doing. Plus as Rolf noted, while the proprietary software for the NEJE line is fairly easy to use - I still found it a bit lacking in some areas. What I would like is something easy to use, that will engrave on harder woods easily (which means more power wattage on the laser) and give me a bigger engraving area without breaking the bank. I have looked longingly at the Epilog line of lasers and the Glowforge over the years. However, both are in the "break the bank" area plus I don't like that the Glowforge can only be used with their online program. I don't want to be locked into an "online only" program that can suddenly disappear should something happen to the Company. My problem is I start researching them, get overwhelmed with all the information and not understanding the technical jargon and understanding the ratings of the lasers when everyone lists them so differently that I walk away confused again! I will check out the ones that you both got and the one Rolf indicates might be better. If anyone has any insight on what is good on the "laser" wattage or strength I would appreciate that knowledge. (And sorry to hijack Scott's thread with my questions. )

I “think” I purchased that book a while back to Don. Need to go check my work room and see. What is interesting, is that several of the boxes that Ron has shown from it, are dry similar to ones I made on the band saw from another book. Wonder who copied who.

Looks. Good Scott. I was noticing I’m your pics that clearly the hooks were the preferred choice. Give the customer what they want. can you remind me what laser you got?

Yes, I was just looking around last night trying to see when Paul, Scrappile, had last been on/posted because I too had missed seeing anything from him for a while. I saw he had been on earlier yesterday, and then saw on his profile page where he had replied to Dave Monk checking on him that he was taking some time to work on other things at home so was good to know he was ok. Dick, when you see him, let him know we have missed his wit and humor around here please.

Another Tennessee welcome to the village. Good to see you here. Look forward to your participation. Sounds like you got a great deal on an awesome saw. Congratulations. Show us some of what you are making with it soon.

Wow, beautiful piece you crafted.

Another beautiful piece.

What a beautiful piece. Thanks for showing.

What a stunningly beautiful box you have crafted. I am always in awe of you folks who do that intricate fretwork.

Beautiful box you have crafted. Did you use a pattern from somewhere?

Welcome to the Village from the eastern part of the state of Tennessee in the USA. Glad you have joined in. Look forward to your participation.

Well Ray, where in our great state are you looking? TN covers a lot of territory from East to West in particular. Just like any where, you have people of all thoughts and beliefs and the entire state and it’s populous is not RED. (just don’t want you to be mislead .) We do get a lot of retirees from other states since we do not have an income tax per se (there is a “Hall tax” which is on investments so some do pay some taxes on income from that. Sales tax is high - almost 10% and paid on almost anything including groceries. Some exceptions. Property taxes are relatively low, and not much taxes on annual car tags though some pay a little wheel tax on top of car registrations in some areas. All that is reliant on the county and/or city you live in. We get a lot of Northerners (And some from out west) who retiree further south, find it too hot or miss the “seasons” and move “half way” back. While I love my state, just like any where, it’s not perfect. When are you thinking about making the move? I recall not that long ago you said you would like to move from CA but your wife wouldn’t.

Looks like time well spent in your shop, and will have several happy family members when they receive these gifts. Beautiful pieces. Glad you and your wife have each other and can enjoy time together. I am sure your wife appreciates and treasures it.

What a beautiful box you crafted Denny. I like the inlay with the horse, the contrast of the wood adds to it.

That looks Dick and they both will love it.

Hi David another Tennessee welcome to the village. Some beautiful work you have crafted there. Look forward to your participation.

Another Tennessee welcome.

Excellent and beautiful.

Welcome to the village from East Tennessee. lol forward to your participation. Enjoy the. Ew house and garage/shop.

Another welcome home from TN

Right now, it would probably help orient most of us as to what day of the week it is.

Awesome work. Kudos to you.