The Cub Pocket Knife

I received an email from April. She is a Bear Den Leader for her son's Cub Scout pack. The pack is working on their whittling chip card. Part of the learning process is how to handle a pocket knife safely. April was looking for a wooden knife pattern to demonstrate with.

This would make a nice letter opener gift also. I included a few extra handle designs for you to use also.

This is an easy project that you can make out of scraps. The handle is pined together with 1/4" dowel. All parts are 1/4" thick. The knife can be sharpened to desired sharpness by sanding. I used maple for the blade because it sanded to a sharp edge well.

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The Pumpkin Cats

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Nature Mini Clock

I'm back from vacation. We spent a few days traveling to three State parks in Indiana. The leaves were changing and the drive was beautiful. We spent a couple nights in Nashville Indiana. Nashville is a small artist and country music community in Brown county. The main street of Nashville is lined with small craft and art stores. Some are stocked with imported crafts but many are local craftsmen and women.

We also spent a couple nights at Clifty Falls State Park near Madison Indiana. We were there for a wedding but I managed to do a little sight seeing. There was a great little shop in downtown Madison that was filled with fantastic scroll saw projects. Unfortunately they were closed and I had to peek through the front window. I will have to make another trip up there and check out that shop when it is open.

It was nice to get away for a while and I still have a few days to recover before I have to go back to work.

As you can imagine I am way behind on email so please be patient and I'll get to as many as possible.

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Booooo!!!!!!

Happy Halloween. Here is a pattern for all you tricksters out there.

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Beware of Dog

Okay, this may not be a very exciting patterns but I had a request so here it is.

What type of patterns do you guys like? What would you like to see more of? Is there anything that you don't like? I'm trying to decide if I should do more videos, reviews, patterns. I know most people come for the free patterns and that's fine. I really appreciate the feed back. I have thick skin so don't think you will hurt my feelings.

Send me email. Let me know what you think. I won't be able to answer them all but I will try to listen to what most readers want and try to make the blog better.

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Heart Cat Candle Voltive

This candle voltive has cats on each side. Line the interior with some thin scrap book paper and place a battery powered flicker candle inside. Do not use a real candle to avoid fire hazard. These battery flicker candles are cheap and safe. They work great and look good.

The project is 6" tall and 4 1/2" wide. All the pieces are 1/4" thick. The project could easily be used as a desk box for pencils.

The picture below shows all four sides lit with the flicker candle.

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Moms Kitchen Shelf

This pattern will make a small spice shelf or a wooden spoon holder. The shelf is 10 inches long. If you would like to try your hand at making wooden spoons for the holder click this link. Wooden Spoons Pattern.

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Get Lucky

Everyone needs a little luck. Hang this lucky horse shoe above your workshop door and all your projects will come out perfect. Make sure you use lucky wood or it will not work. If you are out of lucky wood I have a special this week. I was fortunate to come across several boards of lucky pine. I can let it go for $40 a bf. Cash up front. No refunds. Free shipping within two miles of my shop. Please allow several months for delivery. Don't delay because supplies are limited.

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Wedding Gift Table Box

We have a wedding in our family this weekend. Our niece Beth and her fiance Bryan will be married in Indiana. I was ask to build the box for gift cards that will sit on the gift table. I spent the last couple days building this box. It is 14" long and 7" deep. The box is made from some beautifully flamed maple. The legs are made form walnut. The scrolled pieces are walnut and maple.

I was pleased with how the box turned out and my wife gave it her approval so hopefully the bride and groom will be happy with it.

It's always fun when family and friends let you use your craftsmanship skills to build something that will be in the family for years.

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Home Made Scroll Saw by John Bannister

Last week I received an email from John Bannister. John sent me a couple pictures of a home made scroll saw he had built. I was so fascinated by the project that I ask him if he would write up a short article that I could share with you guys. John was good enough to send me some video clips and the article. Thanks John.

Note to Email Subscribers.
Not all email clients are configured to display video. If you are not able to view the video please visit my blog to read this post.

Home Made Scroll Saw
by
John Bannister

I decided to build this scroll saw after deciding I couldn’t afford to buy the better quality models available, and to me the short stroke on most models was to short, so I went about building my own.
It is built almost entirely from bits I had lying around in my garage. The base of the machine is an old metal table leg, which gave me the box section.

The arms are pieces of box section with tube welded in for the pivots. The motor is a 24v wheel chair motor I had and combined with a transformer gave me variable speed.

A broken foot pump was cut up and modified to give me a blower. The table was a piece of steel plate with angle iron welded around the outside, not really a very good idea as the welding distorted it slightly. Two pieces of tube welded under the table acted as pivots to tilt the table.
First trials of the machine clamped to a workbench were disappointing as it jumped about a bit but building a sturdy base, adding some weight and lightening moving parts has made the machine really smooth and you can balance a £1 coin with it running.

Showing the pivot points.

The reciprocating linkage uses two small bearings

Blade clamp.

Anyone with a keen eye will notice the geometry is wrong in that the blade relief is on the down stroke but it doesn’t seem to be a problem. My machines are all built to work I don’t have the time or inclination to make them look pretty. Some of my other machines can be seen at
www.john-bannister.co.uk I’m only to happy to answer any questions.





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Amazing Grace Cross

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

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Marble Automation Machine

Watch the marbles roll up stairs. This automaton project is loads of fun to make and is sure to catch the eye of passers by. I have produced a three part video series showing tips on the construction techniques. Study the video and plans before you begin the project. It's not that difficult but it takes some planning ahead.

I'm on vacation for the next two weeks!!!!! The weather is perfect to spend lots of time in the shop. I hope to knock out a few projects and videos this week because I'll be out of town most of next week. I'll have limited access to email so if I don't respond just be patient and I'll eventually get to it.

If you see this post in the email subscription you may not be able to view the videos within the email. Visit my blog and you can watch the videos there.

Part One:

Part Two:



Part Three:





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Reader Submitted Pictures

Here are a few pictures I have received from readers lately. I think we can all agree that their are many talented scrollers out there. The really exciting thing is that many of these scrollers are new to the hobby. I get email every day from people who have recently found my blog. They are new to the hobby and are just looking for help to get started. I'm no expert but what I do have is passion and experience. I try to give a little of my passion to these readers because we all benefit when the hobby grows.

When you have an opportunity to promote the hobby of scrolling don't think you have to have all the answers. None of us do. Just tell the person how much pleasure you get from creating something with your own hands. Tell them how exciting it is when you give a one of a kind gift to a friend or family member. In other words just share your creative passion.

All this might sound a little dramatic on my part. You would have to see the email I get. When a new scroller has finished their first project. When they have sat down with a computer and designed their first pattern, they are very proud. You can't buy that joy you have to earn it.

It is nice to give someone a gift. It can be life changing to give them a passion of their own that they can share the rest of their life. Find someone who is interested in your work and share your passion.

This first picture comes from Mark Anderson. Mark has only been scrolling less than a year. Just look at the beautiful work he has been able to accomplish in a very short time. Mark tells me he is addicted to scrolling. He obviously has found a passion. What a gift.


This next project is from Ken Rugaber. Ken redesigned my pattern for the book holder. He made this project as a gift for the for the nursing staff at the cancer clinic where he received treatment. Just imagine the passion that went into this project. This was more than a scroll saw project. It was a project from ken's heart. This is a hobby making a difference in someone's life.


These next two projects are from John Purdue. Every time I get an email from John there is a theme. He always has a story about how he is making a gift for a friend or family member. The portrait of the pointer is for a good friend of John's. He wrote in his email "I hope she likes it". John, I can honestly and certainly say that she will love it. Why do I know this? Because you show your passion for your work in every picture you send me. From the craftsmanship of the scrolling to the wonderfull framing it says you care.



This next picture is from Dennis Martino. Dennis was working with his son on a derby car. He had a question about selecting the right blade for his project. Just think about the good that comes from being able to share a hobby with your children. His son will remember working with his dad forever. A couple days later Dennis sent me this cross he had just completed. He was concerned his curves were a little off. Looks fine to me Dennis. I bet if you give that cross to someone special in your life all the will see is the passion you put into the gift.

Carolyn sent me the next two pictures. She is a brand new scroller. These are her first projects. Hard to believe I know. The two nativity projects are for Christmas gifts for her daughter and daughter in-law. The reason these came out so nice, other than Carolyn's obvious talent is that they were projects of love. Carolyn had a passion to make something special and she did.

Carolyn's son is a senior football player in school. She is investing her time and love for her son and the kids into makeing every player a unique gift. I told Carolyn that when I was a high school basketball player a mother of a teammate knitted us hats to wear to the state tournament. 30 years later I still have that hat and I still remember the mother that took all that time to say she cared. My teammates mother and Carolyn shared the same passion. They cared about kids and they were able to show that love with their hobby.

Okay, I think I have made my point. Hobbies can be more than something you go into your garage and do for fun. Hobbies can be life changing and wonderful life long passions. The only time in my life I ever cried over a gift was the Christmas that my Mother and brother made me a hand made chess set and chess board. My mom hand painted plaster cast chess pieces and my brother made the board. They spent weeks to finish that gift. You could not buy that from me for any price.

Share your hobby and passion with a friend. You never know, it could change their life.

The Big Cat

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A Few More Christmas Ornaments

I have to work this weekend so I have not had much time in the shop. I thought I would make up a few more ornaments. There are eight ornaments in this book.

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Car Patterns by Michael Hayes

I received this pattern in my email the other day from Michael Hayes. I have gotten many requests for antique and muscle car patterns. Michael has been designing car patterns for 5 years. He has this down to an art.

He has allowed me to post this pattern for everyone to cut. Thanks Michael, this is going to get lots of downloads.

Michael said he can quote a price for a pattern if you contact him. His contact information is included in the pattern book.

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Mini Clocks by Larry Hamm

This is another reader submitted pattern book. Larry Hamm was kind enough to send me a pattern book with four of his Mini Clock patterns. These are very nice clocks. Thanks for sharing Larry. Give Larry some thanks by posting a comment below.

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The Stork is Coming. It's a ......

This was a request pattern. The plaques are 8" x 10" and the word art patterns are about 9" long.

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Trick or Treat by Randy Huskey

Randy sent me this great pattern to share with everyone. He has been scrolling for a couple years and has designed a few patterns. He tells me that there are a few fragile points in this pattern so pay attention while you cut. The shoe area will take extra caution.

If all his patterns are this good I hope to see more. Let Randy know what you think by clicking the comment link below and leave him a thank you.

Thanks Randy.

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