Jim Blume

I made the pattern for this a few years ago and have cut it many times and donated them to Veteran's Organizations for fund raisers. I decided it was time to cut one for myself and will be thinking about how to frame it to set it off and yet not take away from the image itself. I also revisited the pattern as I was cutting it and made a few changes to correct a few flaws and also make it more user friendly. I ask that if you cut this, please do it in a 2 stack and donate one to some Veteran's Organization to help with their good works. Thank you

Wonderful on all counts.

Hope you don't mind but I posted your cut on my FB page, including the pattern. Hopefully it will inspire others.

Well done Pard.

When I have run out of BB, I have bought sheets of 1/8 and 1/4" from Menards, and have been fortunate to not run into voids that ruined a project. But, when you look at the thickness of the layers of ply, notice that in Baltic Birch, the layers are thicker and not just an "onion skin like" veneer. With BB, there will be less chances of chipping the veneer as you cut. Also, in using the thin veneer plywood, you might consider NOT using blades which have any reverse teeth. For example, my go to blades for almost everything is the Ultra Reverse where every third tooth is reverse. While that style of blade almost reduces all need for sanding, when cutting really thin veneers it may lift the veneer. Additionally in most plywoods, you will have no idea of what the inner layers are made of. With BB, all layers are baltic birch.

I use Luan for backers when I can get it cheap. And yes, you are correct as to it's suitability for scrolling. It can splinter easily and unless you are lucky, most times a project made out of Luan will end up in the bin.

Well done. And did you say you used a 2/0 blade on 1/2" oak? I'm amazed a 2/0 could even cut through that. LOL

You killed that. Masterful. Papercut patterns are a great source for scrollers but aren't necessarily for the faint of heart. I'm going to have to hunt that one up and see if I can do it half as good as you did.

I am on the hunt to see if I can find that book. Thanks for showing us this masterpiece.

SPECTACULAR. I have often said that in order to be considered a master, completing projects such as this is required. You are a master.

Amazing Kris. Well done as usual. It certainly makes one think. I love all of your patterns and yet am always amazed at how designers see things so differently and yet they all come out beautifully. This one is quite special.

What a great project. I don't do too much intarsia but may have to get ahold of that pattern as gifts for a few friends. Well done sir.

I agree. Red Skelton and let's not forget Emmett Kelly, the original sad faced clown. But since I always loved Freddie the Freeloader, I just had to do a pattern of him. Also, Mike Williams has a pattern of EK.

Amazing job!!! Mike Williams patterns are not for the faint of heart, but you killed it. One comment concerning auctions. I donate a few dozen pieces each year to various organizations. Silent auctions and outright auctions will only bring so much money although at times folks will get into a sort of frenzy and outbid one another. We have decided to use the "pool board" idea when donating items. People pick a square and it only costs them a dollar or two, or even more per square. For example, we donated a MW piece titled At Rest, a deer laying in the forest. The volunteer fire department needed some items and they set up a board of 100 squares numbers 1 thru 100. for 5 dollars per square and once the board sold out, they picked a number out of a hat to select the winner. The board sold out in an hour at a fund-raising breakfast and so they got 500 dollars for the portrait. The FD told me that since it worked so well that if I donate another piece next year, they will make the board 15 by 15. Just an idea to help raise more money, but regardless of what you do, I sincerely hope it helps to raise much needed funding to assist you sister. God Bless. Good on you Sir.

I appreciate your comment concerning, "backing up" to get fine detail. I believe that in doing that. you will end up with a sharper portrait once completed. I was taught that way, ah, well, let's just say a few years ago, and the man who taught me called it "Classic Style". Regardless of what anyone calls anything though, You certainly did a fine job on this one. All we had when I started was straight blades, and not too many choices either. Today folks are fortunate but maybe too in too much of a hurry. What you described there does take some extra time, and I think it is worth it. What we do is not meant to be a race, is it? LOL I'm still marveling over the Wagon Wheel one you did some time back. You obviously enjoy your time on the saw to be able to do these rather insane patterns. Ber well Pard.

Thanks for the reminder. Been busy doing Easter projects and forgot all about St. Patrick's Day. Here are a couple of patterns that may be useful. Funny how there are so many variations as to what folks believe Leprechauns to be like. By the way, the second pattern is titled "Who ate my Lucky Charms?" Be well all.

Works fine today. Must have been something on my net locally that wouldn't allow me access.

Awesome job. I was a little concerned with the whiskers, but it looks as though you had no problem there.

Don, I clicked on the link so I could pass it on to some of my friends and found it to be in error. Could you check to see if there is another more viable link. Thanks.

Lord but are there lots of ways to do this. I just hold the pattern over a 30 gallon garbage can and spray away. Never have any residue anywhere but inside the plastic bag liner in the can. BUT, I do get some on my fingers now and then.

I always say that the looks in the eyes of a recipient are worth more than just about anything. Happy it worked out for you that way as well.

Just a reminder. Easter this year is on April 17, so if you are wanting to make some special gifts for the season, it might be time to begin thinking about getting something on the saw. While there are many patterns available here in the Village, here are a few patterns you might like. I will be doing these again this season in stacks to give to friends and family. But as I look at them, I had better get busy. Be well all and God Bless.

After reading this thread I have determined that math is necessary/unnecessary when doing scrollsaw work? So, I'll just start counting when I begin a project and when I get to forty eleven, I'll quit counting and simply enjoy the rest of the day. Just kidding of course. I know folks who keep journals for the purposes of knowing how many holes they cut, and how much time they spent on a project, and all of that is fine if that is what winds your clock. People do ask and it's nice not to have to guess or speculate I suppose. I do hear of folks who have hour meters on their saws, and that is a good idea so as to know when to do maintenance and such. I usually wait until things act up or break and then fix them. I got over 20 years out of a DW788 Type 1 using this method, so I guess it works. Twice a year disassembly, cleaning and oiling seemed to work out well. My wife and I have a little different take on it. When we have both our saws running, the challenge is who gets the biggest pile of dust at our feet at the end of a given day. (Seriously though, we have some good dust collection systems, so we do collect about 90% of the fine dust.) NO!, I didn't do the math there. I just used the guesstimate method. Like I said, whatever winds your clock. And as long as you enjoy the time you spend, counting or sawing, it's all good.

The number of holes is insignificant if you are pleased with the result in my opinion. And with the large extremely long cuts in that pattern, you could easily add a hunderd or so if your ego dictates counting. LOL Well done Pard!!!