Fran L

Was a flannel- was chilly in the basement but not cold enough to put on the space heater I have down there. Easy to snag on that. I have an old lab coat I usually put on but did’t bother this time.

I love that snow effect. Nicely done!!

It was fun trying something different that I had to figure out on the fly. One thing I found is, even on the large cut out pieces, instead of 1 entry hole at the easiest place to start a cut, it would've been better to have multiple holes for the other side of the cut. Scrappile had the best suggestion. Spiral blades are ideal for something like this.

Thanks Paul, I can't believe I hadn't thought of that. I've only tried spiral on a couple of fret patterns but chewed up some of the straight lines too much. These patterns have more "rustic" straight lines except for the borders which actually would look good with spirals. Definitely would reduce the amount of turning.

I’ve been wanting to try one of the door toppers from The Wooden Teddy Bear. Finally pulled the trigger and did this one from Clark Weeks. This was a lot of fun and interesting to do. It’s my first try of cutting a project longer than my scrollsaw neck (32” and Delta 20”) and it really had me adjusting on the fly. There was a discussion earlier if we preferred cutting clockwise or counter-clockwise. I generally go clockwise but got a lot of practice reversing field. Lot of mistakes letting the blade move while stepping around the long end to cut from a different angle. More than once I’d catch my shirt on the board. Started turning the saw off an on until I got in position. Also, since I was standing to the side most of the time, when I thought the blade was lined up on my pattern line it was actually angled a little off but I just slowed my feed until I was lined up. I used 1/4” BB. Still need some staining practice. Used 2 coats of Walnut stain and 2 of minwax poly satin with light sanding but I think I rush the finishings too much because I want to see a finished project. Decided not to use a backer and let the wall be a contrast when it’s up. Still pretty happy with how it turned out and plan to do the Easter one later on. Sorry to be long-winded, just typing away while watching the game.

Penn State fan here but I gotta say--That is pretty cool-- Love that treadplate idea and great job presenting it!!!!

Very nice Don!!! Especially fitting as I'm sitting here watching my Flyers play the Senators!!!

Fantastic pattern and cutting!!! Nice job.

Awesome Kevin. I first saw this on my phone and couldn't tell what it was on the small screen, just got on the computer and had to do a double take. That is really great.

Great job!!

Here are the 2 ornaments I finished this year, both by Steve Good. The 1st one is for my son and daughter-in-law for last year. They bought a house last November but were in the middle of fixing it up and didn’t have a tree so I didn’t finish it. It’s 1/4” BB sealed with a couple coats of Danish Oil then 3 coats of semi-gloss poly. I’m OK with it but think It would’ve been better if I stained it first. The second one for their daughter is 1/2 inch oak, again sealed with Danish Oil then a few coats of semi-gloss poly. Luckily she has an easy name because the pattern is Baby’s First Christmas and I was easily able to cut and paste the A’s in the pattern for her name. My wife wanted me to paint it, I liked the oak grain but compromised with painting the bow and cap. I really like how that contrast turned out.

Finished these ornaments this week. The 1st one I actually started last year for my son and daughter-in-law. They had bought a house last November but were so busy fixing it up they didn’t get a tree so I put it on the backburner. I’m ok with it. Could have been a lot better. 1/4 inch Birch that I feel I should’ve stained first. I also just got the mini-drill bits a few weeks ago that helped finishing it but would’ve come in handy last year. The second is for my granddaughter. 1/2 inch oak that I really liked how it turned out. They’re Steve Good patterns.

I enjoy the magazine. Something to page through and see what others have done while watching the boob tube. I've only been scrolling about 5 years so I'm still developing the nerves to try something new. For instance, I generally passed over the puzzles and toys but with a 5 month old granddaughter now, I'm looking at them a little more closely than before..

Was a pain on my Craftsman. After a few projects I even figured out it was more in the way and made it harder to turn the wood. It’s still on there, just raised it up out of the way. The one with my new Delta came unattached. Never even tried to figure out how it goes on.

Thank you. I always did have a habit of cramming for tests , claiming I work better under pressure. I guess I didn’t outgrow it.

Posted my rough idea for a napkin holder for my daughter-in-laws baby shower a couple months ago. Of course it got crazy and I never got to it. Shower was today so finally got on the ball and got it done. Used 1/2 inch oak and happily was able to get a tight fit so the base and napkin holders didn’t need glue. Wanted it so it could be taken apart then used as a chain/necklace holder when she gets older. I’m hoping to be able to venture into boxes by the time she’s older to make a base with a drawer for rings and earrings.

That is fantastic. Doing something like this is my ultimate goal down the road. Still a few years down the road but I'll get there.

Thanks Jeff, I got this from a batch of patterns on sale a few years ago. I don't even remember where. Thanks for the nursery rhyme tip. I'm going to have to try and track them down.

Thanks Paul. I'll have to try that backing and see what happens.

I love how these look and love more the reason why you do it. I can see these having a very calming effect in a strange environment.

That’s great looking!!!

Thought I’d make a little St Patrick’s Day decoration. Finished product doesn’t quite pop for me like I was expecting from the pattern but it was definitely worth the unexpected challenge. I thought it would be fairly easy, just time consuming with a lot of small frets. Boy, did I not look at very closely. I noticed a lot of the veining in the vest and beard when I was prepping but didn’t realize how much until I started cutting and how I had to plan on the cuts on the fly. For instance, the buckle on the hat ended up being a much tighter bridge then I expected. I realized it as the piece start bouncing a little midway through. Also the beard and fingers, etc. . Never would have been able to do this with my old saw with the way my blade travelled on it, the pieces would have snapped during the cuts. The veins are pretty thin using a 2/0 blade and I know of the way some will go back through with a bigger blade but I’m a coward and couldn’t risk it. It's a pattern by Bob Valle

Congrats and good luck with the new saw. Feels good doesn't it? Got my new Delta 2 weeks ago. Have only been able to use it a couple days. Tomorrow finally able to get back to it.

I generally cut clockwise but I'm comfortable enough counter-clockwise if the pattern dictates it.

That is a great looking pattern and piece!!!