Dak0ta52

Welcome to the Village from North Carolina.

Hello All. I've been itching to get back at the saw and create some sawdust but working full-time and taking care of my 93 y/o mother has kept me pretty busy. However, I recently saw a product on Amazon that I though would make a great blank for scroll saw projects. I selected a simple Steve Good pattern and modified it slightly to fit the blank and gave it a quick cut to see how they did. These are live edge blanks that are about seven inches in diameter and between 3/8 and 1/2 inch thick. I'm not sure of the type of wood although I believe it is some type of Pine. I used Pegas 2/0 spiral blades on a medium-low speed. The wood is soft until you hit one of the sap rings, and then the cut hesitates. You have to be careful because once you cut through the ring, the blade will jump and possibly go out of your lines. Looking back, a straight blade may have been a little better for this wood... which I'll try on my next cut. You get 10 blanks at $26.99 and I thought they would make nice trivets or wall hangers. I'm sure some of you more experienced craftsmen will have other ideas. My wife is already seeing them hanging on the wall sporting the heads of our three Papillons. I honestly think they would make great laser blanks and decent scroll saw blanks for the experienced scroller (simply because of the harder rings). However, it was great to be able to brush a little sawdust of my lap and see something created on my saw. God bless you all and I look forward to the day I can spend hours at the saw rather than just a few minutes.

Welcome to the Village. Lots of experience here so don't hesitate if you have questions. Would love to see some of your work.

My favorite movie of all times! Great job, Charlie.

Marie, you know how to take a basic pattern and make it nice... but then you add your special techniques to make it outstanding. Beautiful piece!

Nicely done, Charlie. Definitely one of my top 5 actors. Selleck and Duvall are in that group also. Can't wait to get back to cutting for myself. Working full-time and taking care of my 93 yo mother doesn't leave a lot of "me-time" activities.

I love doing detailed patterns such as your Eagle in the Pine. Baltic Birch is my go to wood and I order it from Ocooch Hardwoods. They have always been very customer oriented. I agree with Scrappile that a spiral blade would probably keep you from going crazy cutting this pattern. That's typically my primary blades unless I'm cutting a lot of longer, straight lines. Just remember, you only cut one hole at a time. Also, I've ordered a few patterns from Wooden Teddy Bear. Check them closely. Every pattern I've ordered had to be modified by adding bridges in a couple places. My most intricate piece was the Wells Fargo Stage by Jim Blume. That has almost 1500 cuts. You can find it in the Village Library. There are several patterns of stage coaches but Wells Fargo is the only stage that used a 6-horse team. It took about 40 hours but the finished product was well worth the effort. Good luck with your project.

I've used an airbrush with acrylic hobby paint. You have to thin it down and sometimes it requires a couple coats. I use an airbrush exclusively for spraying polyacrylic. Never tried stain in an airbrush.

I've colored some of my work in the past but primarily kept the coloring to the areas I had cut. I really like that you added the trees and lake to this piece. That adds a lot and I applaud your finish piece. I can sit down with a pack of pencils and draw a picture that looks like a black and white photograph but if I try to color something with paint and a brush... well, lets just say a child with a box of crayons would create a better piece. Keep up the work, although I believe you have already learned the skill. Now start producing your masterpieces.

Fantastic Job, Dick.

I was curious on how Steve was doing. Prayers that he will continue to heal and gain his strength.

Welcome to the Village from North Carolina. Fortunately, keeping your fingers is pretty easy using a scroll saw. Most you might get is a serious scratch. Looking forward to seeing your work.

Welcome to the Village and a great hobby. There is a learning process but you have come to the right place. There is vast knowledge from the members here so don't hesitate to ask questions. Also, be sure to post your work. It's inspiring to us old folk on here.

Best wishes to you and the missus, Steve. Prayers for a speedy recovery.

Another North Carolina welcome!

Welcome to the Village from North Carolina. Lots of knowledge here so don't hesitate to ask questions.

Welcome to the Village from North Carolina.

Welcome to the Village from North Carolina.

Welcome from North Carolina.

Welcome from North Carolina.

When I paint, I use craft acrylic and dilute with water until I get the right consistency to use in my detail spray gun. You have to use care depending on how much you thin the paint because it will not cover completely with one coat. Also, if you spray it on too heavy with it being over diluted, it may cause the fibers in the wood to rise. For clear finish, I use Polyacrylic diluted about 50/50 with water. I also put a few drops of retardant to slow the drying process. This allows the diluted Polyacrylic to "level" and give a smooth finish. I sand by hand with a 600 grit after coats. Usually after the second coat you can spray pretty heavy and it leaves a glass smooth finish. Just be sure to have your project perfectly level otherwise it will "level" to the low side and pool there. Good luck!

Welcome to the Village, Dave. I also started with a WEN 16" and after a year purchased a Pegas 30" and have never regretted doing so. I don't cut a lot of toys but there are a lot of members of the Village that do and I'm sure can provide you with many pointers should you need them. Some tips for the Village, don't be afraid to ask questions and be sure to share photos of your work. You'll find the members here are super friendly and more than willing to share their knowledge. We are like a large family living all over the world that enjoys making sawdust.

Very nicely done, Paul. That looks like it was cut into White Oak. Can you imagine trying to cut that pattern in Pine? Especially with small spirals. You would be dancing all around the grain. And yes, I believe spirals are my favorite but I typically like very detailed patterns with a lot of cuts such as this one.

Awesome piece, Richard. But... I've come to expect nothing less of your work.

Welcome from North Carolina.