Joe W.

Well, here's an update. The parrots have been hanging on a curtain rod, near a window, for the past month. Took them down for a Farmer's Market event and discovered the coloring on the side of the parrots facing the sun was faded. I had colored them using my wife's liquid food coloring. I never imagined the sun would do that, but it did. The fading was not severe, but noticeable. So I guess, yeah, that qualifies as severe. Learning has taken place. So . . . can anyone recommend any coloring agents out there that are UV resistant?

Thank you. The closer I got to being done, the slower I went. Especially on the smaller areas. I seem to have a propensity to make a mistake somewhere towards the end of whatever I'm doing, and so I was really taking my time with this pattern. Even now, when I'm handling them, I'm being very aware of my movements and intentions.

Frank, Thank you much for your thoughts and suggestions. Since I have two of these, I'll try your ideas on one of them.

Yes, and that's the thing - color - I fret about the most (pun intended). I'm fairly certain I want one of the butterflies to be a natural color/finish - will likely do Danish oil. The backers on the other hand I'm still up in the air about. Definitely a darker color, but how dark? Ah yes, that's the question. Will sleep on it for another night and see what dreams may come.

Here's a Steve Good pattern I started to cut out over a year ago. I cut out about about 50 of the 250 holes and then many of life's distractions got in the way (plus I lost interest in it). This weekend I was looking forward to attending a Farmers' Market, but it got rained out - we got 3+ inches in a 24 hour period. So that freed up time to do something else. Spotted this in the garage and had a good l-o-n-g visit with the scroll saw. Now to finish it up with a little light sanding, staining, and mounting. 1/8" Baltic Birch, stacked and used # 1 and #3 Pegas MGT blades. I like it but I think it will be a while before I tackle something like it again.

Bundle them with another item or two and see if that sparks a sale.

like - love - got ta have it!

Perhaps a slower speed will help reduce the tension/anxiety level. I found it helped me have more time/control of the cutting.

Me too! Dan & RAYFAIRCHILD said: I forgot another trick...shelf liner. I've used it several times. The peel-and-stick liner is placed right to the wood. Then glue the pattern to the shelf liner. The adhesive in the shelf liner helps lubricate the blade. And, no clear packing tape over the pattern. I use clear peel-and-stick shelf liner... WOrks on every type of wood. Come off real easy and leaves no residue.

You Sir, are a brave and gifted man! Well Done!

Ya done GOOD!

I've had the occasion a few times to mention my intention to filing a complaint to the Better Business Bureau and other agencies with success. And on other times I've found out who the CEO is and sent a letter direct to them about the issue. The pen is mightier than the sword maybe sometimes.

Hi Barb, Yes, I had to do some whittling on both of mine as well to get the parrot piece to slide onto the support. But once I did that, it made it a lot easier to assemble/disassemble the puzzle.

Hi and welcome from Dover, Delaware.

I came across this in the Big Book of Scroll Saw Woodworking (a library find) and gave it a go. Enlarged the pattern 170% from the book. 16 1/2" long by 6" wide on 5/8" pine. The pattern for the support calls for 1/2" thick but I stayed with 5/8" for it too. Used my new bandsaw to cut the outline of the pattern. (is that cheating?) #5 Pegas MGT blade . Took about 3 hours to prep and cut out. Colored using food dye (from my wife's cake decorating box O' stuff) and denatured alcohol with a small brush. That took about an hour while watching TV. Tried using alcohol and acrylic paint on a previous item but could not get the intensity I wanted for this. Maybe it was the paint. Showed The macaw to my wife and she claimed it . . . so I made another one for the next farmers' market outing. The string holding the support is temporary. Pattern shows a small eye hook at the top of the support for a string/cord, which I still need to do. It can be taken apart and reassembled. So now I'm on a puzzle kick. Made some other smaller animal ones and some have sold, so I'll keep making them too.

Add Delaware to the list - Welcome!

The only advise I can offer is to look for a serial number to try and determine the age of the machine. Then check for the ability to get replacement parts. I once bought an old bandsaw, only to find out replacement parts were no longer available.

Well, it's been a year now since I've had the Pegas and I am still pleased with it. It is a little louder than when I got it, but cuts as good as it did when I first got it. The only maintenance I've done is replace the two tiny clamps that grip the blades due to blade slippage. I've done a fair amount of cutting in the year I've had it. So far, so good, and I would still buy it again. Sign me a satisfied customer.

Welcome from Dover, Delaware. This place is tons of fun and tons of information.

I think I'll try that. Thanks for the tip.

That was what I discovered not long after getting in scroll sawing. I found it taking for . . . . ever to finish a cut - trying to get the most out of the blade. When I compared the blade cost to time spent cutting out a pattern, I started using more blades and enjoying the scroll sawing more.

Welcome from Dover, DE. This place is the cats meow. It is priceless - I estimate it has cut my mistake rate in half since I joined.

Yes, that was a good seller for me last year as well. Grandparents liked them for birthday/Christmas presents. Easy to make and yes, it helps pay for the addic..., err, hobby

Nice finish!

yeah, that's what got me to looking at and getting into resawing. I know it will take a fair amount of time to recoup the initial outlay, but like you, I just can't get past the increasing shipping costs. And it's another step in the journey of wood working.