16BitIRL

My main effort is to build out a shop just the same. I try to make sure I can make this stuff so kids and families can decorate with them and not get too expensive so sande has been great. I have had people point out bits of edge texture in a good way and say it them feel more “real”, so this hasn’t been a killer issue, but since I have design and workflow down pat I want to tighten the craft side up.

Thank you for all the help. I was assuming the paint was the issue, but then the pic with the black paint is from the same piece of wood with the same Behr interior and it’s fine with almost no sanding. I have been looking at possible better blades. My jigsaw was rough as well before I got better blades and I was shocked how much it changed things.

Hi, I'm Jim, and I've been scroll-sawing for about 3 years now. I mostly do wood-cut versions of old video game sprites. I do a big Super Mario World-based Halloween display every year, do some commissions and art shows, and have done a big public display once now. I've been mostly focused on the design of the pieces and painting aspects but I'm a mediocre to poor cutter and am looking to improve. I attached some samples, happy to be here!

I've been scroll sawing for a few years, I mostly do wood-cut version of old video game sprites. I've been gradually having an issue with pieces from my scroll saw that I don't have with my jigsaw. After I paint the sides, no matter how much I sand, and how smooth they feel before painting, they start getting frayed. In the first pic from a Halloween decoration, the black-painted piece, this is off my jigsaw. I barely had to sand it. In the second pic, from my scroll saw, I sanded this edge down and it felt smooth, then I painted it and it frayed, sanded again, re-painted. After every painting, it frays. When you step back and look at the whole piece you don't notice and it's fine, but this feels like it's getting worse. I mostly use 1/2 inch sande plywood from Home Depot, but I will also sometimes use a baltic birch from a lumber yard. Sometimes I mix in 1/4 inch pieces for 3D effect. The issue is not as bad from the baltic but it still happens. I use the Behr interior paints from Home Depot for the colors. Just looking to try and improve my skills.