new2woodwrk

Just a few words of advice for new scrollers - If you haven't already done so, try cutting some puzzles. I've been scrolling now for just over 3 months and tackled my first Puzzle the other day. It was a scary attempt since I've previously looked at them as being a very advanced technique. In many ways they are advanced, however well worth the effort to attempt. Here's why... I used some recycled 1 x 3" Pine wood I had and joined 2 pieces together to make one 5 x 7" board for the puzzle I cut the puzzle on a slow speed, but not the slowest speed since the wood was 3/4" thick During the cutting of the puzzle I started to experience a few "AHA" moments. What was happening was, I started to realize and was able to "feel" how much pressure to put on the project against the blade to make cuts through the project. While I had been able to feel the pressure amount on other projects, the puzzle project really accented this due to all the twisting and curves involved in cutting the puzzle. Which brings me to another "AHA" moment. Because there are so many curves in puzzle projects, I started to realize how to push and "relax" the push into curves. It was kind of like a swimming motion doing the curves... Push slightly as I turned into a curve and relax the push coming out of the curve to get back on line for the next curve or straight away. It became very rhythmical during the curves which translated into nice tight curves following the lines. Did I stay EXACTLY on every line? No, but it didn't matter because the motion of the cutting through the curve became fluid and when completed the puzzle pieces fit together very well! It was a very eye opening experience. One of the last "AHA" moments I experienced were Points or the tips of curves. Many of the curves ended in sharp points and continued into other curves with points, similar to waves. By realizing the Push and relax technique in the curves, helped to make the points of the curves very sharp! This translated into nice crisp angles at other junctions where a sharp turn was needed. So, if you are new to scrolling and not sure what to cut or where to start - try a few easy patterns and then cut a Puzzle or two! Puzzles give you experience with so many different techniques all in one project: Pressure of the project against the blade Curves - which translates into circles Making sharp turns and points on angles Keeping the blade trained "On the line" for gentle curves and straight cuts Proper alignment of the table to be 90 degrees to the blade Thanks for reading!

That's a very cool clock! Thanks for sharing it!

Duh! Yeah LOL Good idea - *smacks head* Thanks

So I now have 2 puzzles, and I was originally thinking of painting them. However, as I thought more about it, it seemed if I painted them, the pieces wouldn't fit together because of the added layer of paint - is this true? I don't want to ruin one by testing it out, but it seems to be true to me I stained the Dragon last night and applied a finish this morning, so I should be able to tell if I've ruined that one soon enought Thoughts? Thanks in advance

Just finished a Griffon Puzzle. Once again, 2 x Pine boards joined, with MG #3 Pegas blade No finish yet.... One picture laying, one picture standing Just finished staining the Puzzle - head is Maple, tail is red oak and body is golden oak Thanks for looking - comments and criticisms welcome! Update added stained image

Nice job Where does everyone get these dog puzzles with the names in them? Thanks for sharing

Oh wow! That is awesome! I'd like to learn how to do those! Thanks for sharing

Nice job - I would have added the picture to a fee, like season tickets but, hey that's me LOL Thanks for sharing

Thanks Marg, You're too kind! I'm not familiar enough with food safe finishes so this one is getting stained and lacquered and staying in my collection I'm going to cut another puzzle soon and read up on food safe finishes as well.

Thanks all, sometimes it's just about making things - the ones I've seen are $30 each - haven't seen any refills for them though - feel free to link the ones you all use. $30 x 3 = $90. For me $90 will buy me 2 sheets of 4x8 ply (sanded 1/4 and 1/8) - so if I can make 3 of those things with the sand paper I have ( it would take me a life time to use all the sand paper in this box LOL), it works for me. Look at this way.... It's an adventure!

Cut this a few weeks ago, finally got it mounted on pallet wood and finished the staining and gluing. Thanks for looking - Update - changed image

I have a klingspor box which is why I'm building them - the prices of those things pre-made is insane!

They laughed at my Rube Goldberg dust setup also , so no laughing from me *snicker* really, *snicker* If it works, who cares!

That's one big garage Kevin! Thanks for sharing your shop

I'm about to make a few sanding mops. Does anyone else use them for their scroll works? Do you buy them or make your own? What grits do you all use if you do - I was thinking of making 3 - 80, 150 and 220. Thanks in advance

I'm about to make a few sanding mops. Does anyone else use them for their scroll works? Do you buy them or make your own? What grits do you all use if you do - I was thinking of making 3 - 80, 150 and 220. Thanks in advance

You've got a winner there Frank! Thanks for sharing it

That's a great looking piece - and your choice of wood was incredible! Thanks for sharing it Les

You mean the veining under the horn? I hadn't noticed that - thanks!

Here is my first Puzzle cut project - this was a lot of fun, and a bit hectic. I prepared the wood with the sticky shelf paper, then glued the pattern to the wood. When I started cutting, realized I glued the pattern to the wrong side and glued it to the bare wood... OH NO! I kept going, and had to hold the pattern down because it kept coming off the wood! Any way, I made it through the cut. I used 2, 1x3 pine boards joined together as the base. Cut with one of my new Pegas 3 MG blades. No finish yet, not sure what I want to do with it - may end up being painted? Comments, and suggestions welcome. One picture laying down, one standing Cherry stained the Dragon with a semi gloss spray lacquer Please feel free to critique, it's the only way I'm going to get better at this point! Thanks as always in advance for looking!

Great motto for sure! Thanks for sharing it

Awesome Job! Thanks for sharing it!

OM! That is an incredible Idea! Thanks for sharing it! I never would have though about that and I happen to have a project that is an odd shape sitting waiting for a frame or backing!

Nice cuts - any particular reason people would order MDF? I would think most people don't know what MDF is, no? I was just going to post a question about anyone using MDF for projects as well Thanks for sharing

Very nice cuts - thanks for sharing your projects