OzarkSawdust

Absolutely amazing Paul !! How long you been working on it? I don't think Pedro does anything simple! He has some fantastic patterns...way out of my league at the moment.

Awesome work Ed! Maybe I should try the guitar. I would also like to do his Beatles "guitar pick" . Have you ever tried to make a real one? That would be a great project.

Very cute! I have several Sam Custodio patterns...and as soon as I have time I'll try one...or two. Great job on it!

So am I gathering that a base coat of Shellac, spray or dipped, set 24 hrs. then hit it with a couple LIGHT coats of satin Lacquer…? Would look good on the cross and backer? If so...that sounds like the easy and quick way to finish this project in the winter shop. Might try different things on test pieces at home in 2-3 months.

Absolutely stunning Dave! Your craftmanship is fantastic.

Got my puzzles cut and dipped before the game! Time to go to a big party next door. GO CHIEFS !!!

Good opinions y'all! I think I've got some good options for the cross originally posted. But very interesting the mineral oil thing that has come up. Maybe Iggy will weigh in on it. I just followed what he is doing...but I'm open to a safe faster finish! I'm trying to push out a bunch of animal puzzles as fast as I can for all the craft shows down here. And I got into a big car show with vendors and a large Pet Expo both very well advertised! Even down here where it's warm two or three days to cure is a real pain. It does make the Poplar look nice.

Pegas clamps all the way! Call Denny, he'll fix you up quickly.

Fantastic Dan! Very interesting project. Can you save the leftover 50/50 mix in anything that has a tight fitting lid? Does it last for months, or does it go bad? You said "soak" how long do you leave it in? Or do you just do a quick dip?

I've used Watco Walnut and dipped stuff before. Have you used it in "Natural", and does it darken the color much? I want to keep the Hard Maple/Walnut contrast as much as possible.

How long do you let the BLO set before spraying with lacquer? If you dip in Danish Oil do you still use the BLO first? As for the mineral oil...puzzles is the only thing I use it on. I have become one of Iggy's Puzzle Zombies and just follow his methods. He does very well with his puzzles and I don't see a need to "reinvent the wheel". A bunch of people buying puzzles from me are getting them for grandkids. I kind of like that the coating is nothing but food grade mineral oil if the kid chews on a piece while playing with it. Other things I make are a whole different story so I use other stuff. Mostly I have used sprays to finish. Sometimes after a stain of some shade. This is where I mess up. It might have a run...or a spot I think needs more...or how many coats should I put on it. A couple of times I've almost messed up my good work with a finish I don't like. Guess we all learn new methods.

Thanks Wayne! I've never used Shellac. Spray or dip? Then top coat with Lacquer? How many coats? How long does the shellac take to dry before top coating?

Thanks Don! Don't know what the problem is with BOP. I downloaded the one you sent, install for all users, opened Inkscape and wrote our names...perfect the first time with no problems! I like the look of this one...and it is easier not having to go back and add bridges, and maybe miss one till cutting it...oops.

I just finished cutting this cross for a customer request. I used 1/2" Hard Maple with a 1/4" Walnut backer. I think it came out a lot better than the 1/4" Baltic Birch ply I did last fall. I sprayed that one with lacquer and did the 1/4" BB backer in Mahogany stain before spraying it. I think I sprayed too many coats and was not super happy with the finish although it looked good. This time I'm thinking a dip of some sort to get in all the nooks and crannies. Satin or semi-gloss ? I think a glossy might be too much shine...? I dip all my puzzle animals in mineral oil and let sit for 2-3 days before taking them to sale. But that's not the finish I want for this project. With all the time I put into this, and the fact it came out well with no real slips, I don't want to screw up the finish now!! Keep in mind I'm in my "winter shop" where it's warm...lol, and don't have a lot of room for stuff I may not need again till we go north. Must be able to secure the remaining liquid in something for the trip. I'm using a plastic container with a lid for the mineral oil, and it works very well, and have kept 3 empty bottles to capture what's left at the end of the season. OK...I think I've given y'all details for good suggestions...Thank you in advance for your thoughts!!

Very nice Don. I got Bird Of Paradise in my laptop once and used it...liked it. Then it disappeared and I can't get it to reload! I like the font you used to design the "Jake & Barbara" part of this sign for me (thanks again) but don't know what it's called or where you got it. It's very nice looking when cut. Could you please send me the info? I saved Stencilfy also, It will probably come in handy...Thanks for sharing!

I wish! I'm nowhere near Iggy's numbers. But next year I'm bringing a bunch of stock down here! I'm working too hard making it all here.

Yesterday’s production and today’s schedule.

Looks great Scott!!! I had 3 people want an animal with a name on it this month. Time consuming cutting the bases as well as the animal. That looks a lot faster and easier! I think it would pay for itself quickly doing these shows, and fun to play with the rest of the year.

Awesome work ! Maybe I'll have time to try that later in the year. Right now I'm in full Puzzle Zombie mode for all the shows down here.

Very nice Ralph! The tray is really cool...and the plaque sounds like something my spoiled cat would say...lol. Did you stack cut the sides?

Thanks a lot! It looks cute.

Thanks for the update Marg, and so glad to hear you are safe!

I like that idea Jerry! I have trouble with 1/8" and that might be the ticket when I want 1 piece.

Had a couple more shows last week. Now to build/replenish stock along with a few special orders. A name sign, a Bacon Pig for a guy’s farm, and an octopus! Throw a few dogs, T-Rex, and a frog...it’s been a busy week.

Really cool pattern, who did it? Great job of cutting!