DickMira

CARVED FRETWORK SERIES CF 03 This piece I call "WAGONTRAIN WEST" was designed by Grandpa and cut from white poplar 18 1/2" x 11 1/4" x 2" thick. Pattern can be found in the Scrollsaw Village Pattern Library.

I appreciate your wonderful comments, Larry. Thanks, Dick

Thanks Ralph, for the very nice comments. You would start this technique like I did...with your first one. I usually recommend that you start with your least liked scrolled piece...we all have one of these

Very well done. My favorite scrolling subject is wildlife animals and I have already done three projects with foxes. Dick

Thanks Denny, for your kind words about this little kitten. I am still waiting to see what you created with the reclaimed American chestnut boards I had sent to you Regards, Dick

CARVED FRETWORK SERIES CF 02 This project of a Pennsylvania White-tailed Buck was done on a 21" x 12" x 1" thick piece of mahogany with a pattern by one of the best designers in the Scrollsaw Village Pattern Library, Jim Blume.

Barb Enders I appreciate your long standing interest in my work. Special thanks!

Thanks, RJ, for the best compliment any woodworker can receive. Dick

Thanks Paul for your kind words which are greatly appreciated. One of my recommendations is to start with one of your least liked old scroll saw projects. If it doesn't come out as you wish a lot is not lost. If it looks good, you will be pleased with how it enhances your fine scrollwork.

To see all of the projects, scroll to the end of this post At the end of December, a friend gave me a collection of hardwood cutoffs including maple, mahogany, and poplar boards that varied from 1", 2' and 3" in thickness. I was overwhelmed by all the choices and couldn't decide which project I wanted to do next. I studied the selections in the Scrollsaw Village Pattern Library and found five patterns that would be great for carved fretwork projects. I have always worked on one project at a time and decided to try something new and work on all five projects at once and vary which piece I was working on. Start by adhering the pattern to the wood with 3 M Super 77 adhesive. Drill vertical pilot holes with a drill press. Cut all scroll work with New Spiral 1 and 3 blades by Flying Dutchman. Carve the scrolled fretwork with a Foredom Rotary Carver using various bits and cutters. Add color with artist oil and acrylic paints. Sand and finish with Minwax Wipe on Poly. Backers for pieces 2,4,and 5 were made from 1/4" luan sprayed with satin black paint. This first project, Tiny Kitten, was designed by Steve Curtis and cut on a mahogany board 11" x 11" x 2" thick. The other 4 projects will be posted on the forum each week. Thanks, Dick Mira

Thanks for checking out this Maltese puppy project and for the super comments from Jim Blume, Jim McDonald and Ralph rdatellle.

Kris Congratulations on the design of this incredible pattern. I am especially impressed with your superb scroll saw craftsmanship particularly with the finely detailed cutting of each of the apostle's faces. Beautiful job! Dick

Thank you, Ron, for the super comment. I'll bet your anxious for some sunny, warm weather to show up in Saskatchewan!!!

Ron, it was great to see the excellent craftsmanship on your surfing VW van and the trailer. I would place these in the superb collectors category and certainly not in the toy grouping. Reminds me of the way I feel about the super work on some of the great model train projects---best on a mantel not to be played with. Dick

The fun part of this project was that it gave a smile to many folks. I would like to thank RJ, Denny, Jerry, Peter, Charlie, Barry, Thurman, Dave, and Marg for the very nice comments. Always greatly appreciated. Dick Mira

This project started in a reverse order to the usual format. This beautiful piece of mahogany was given to me by a friend. It was 13' x 10" x 1 3/8" thick. I was thinking of various subjects when I decided to check out the patterns in the Scrollsaw Village Patterns Section. When I saw the fantastic "Maltese Puppy" by superb pattern designer, Jim Blume, I knew this would work very well for this project. The wood was sanded, the edges were routed, and the pattern was attached with 3M spray adhesive. Pilot holes were drilled and the scroll work was completed with spiral blades. The carving was completed using a Foredom Rotary Power Carver and the fur was produced with multiple passes with the top edges of three different sizes of columnar bits. The puppy was colored with Minwax Polycrylic Finish and artist acrylic paints. The background was finished with multiple coats of polyurethane finish. Thank you Jim, for the beautiful design of this pattern. Dick

Thanks to all who took the time to view this Easter Egg project and post a "like". Dick Mira

Easter Pysanky Eggs created by me prior to starting scrollwork. I did not learn the traditional Ukrainian designs and colors so I created my own. Have a Happy Easter. Dick Mira

Got a copy. Thanks to all. Dick Mira

I would like to obtain a copy of Creative Woodworks & Crafts, August 2012, Issue 166. If you have a copy to sell, contact me through Private Messaging. Thanks Dick Mira

Excellent work on an extremely charming little angel, Dick, in a beautiful hand-crafted frame. Well done, Dick Mira

SAFETY TIP Since this article was originally published, I have learned that there are many folks who are very timid about using a hand held router to lower the background on projects like this. This task can be easily and safely accomplished by using a Typhoon type bit in the Dremel or other hand held rotary tool to lower the background. Dick Mira

To be honest, Dan, I was extremely busy with the holiday festivities and all of the visiting family staying with us that I did not have any opportunities to look at the recent forum postings. I was very pleasantly surprised this morning to see your post featuring the tremendous carving job you did on the tiger. I have seen many carved fretwork tigers from different woodworkers following the instructions in this article and have helped many with further instructions. However, your tiger is one of the best jobs and I loved it. Keep at it and it does get easier. Have a great new year to you and all my colleagues on Scrollsaw Village, Dick Mira

Great job on this terrific pattern by Russ Beard. I love these wildlife patterns. Dick

I am impressed with your dedication to completing this piece with superior workmanship over the long duration of cutting because of the many, many pilot holes. Congratulations on a job well done. Dick Mira