Hold on to your hat. Jacobo is back!

Last week I published a series of photos show Jacobo using his hand frame scroll saw. I received a ton of email about his work. One theme that ran through many of the emails was how long it must take to cut detailed projects with the hand frame. Well, I have obtained a video showing Jacobo using his saw. No I did not speed up the video. I don't think I want to challenge him to a race. Enjoy.

If you are reading this in the email newsletter you may not see the video above. Please visit the blog and watch in in the "Daily Posts" section.

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Football Jersey Key Chains Scroll Saw Patterns.

I can't take credit for this idea. One of the woodworkers over at lumberjocks.com posted a project the other day of numbered jerseys. He designed them to be pendants but suggested they would also make nice key chains. I set here tonight and made up 100 patterns of the jerseys.

He was selling them for $10 as pendants. These are the type of pattern I am always looking for. Simple and quick to cut. Very little wood required and you can sell them for more than you would expect. In other words lots of profit.

If you make them into key chains they should be 1/4" thick, Pendants should be thinner. I would also reduce the size of the pattern a little for pendants. You could also glue on pins to the back and wear them on a shirt.

Everyone likes to support their children in sports. These are just the thing to show your support. They could also be used as part of a fund raiser for the local youth football program.

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I will do the final August giveaway drawing Wednesday night. Make sure you get your entry in for your chance to win. If you need instructions to enter click this link.

Anniversary Ornaments Scroll Saw Patterns.

This pattern book has 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 year anniversary ornaments.

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Name Ornament update: I am almost to the end of the list of the name ornament orders. I should be able to complete all of them tomorrow sometime. Make sure you are checking for typos if you have received yours already.

I will keep making the name ornament patterns for a while so if you would like to place an order just click the order now button below.

Make personalized Christmas Ornaments for family and friends. These make beautiful gifts and will be cherished for years. It's not too early to start your holiday cutting.

50 U.S. State Scroll Saw Patterns.

This pattern book contains 50 "My State My Home" patterns. The plaques are about 10 inches long. You can cut these from any thickness of wood you like.

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Teachers Apple Scroll Saw Pattern.

It's that time of year when all the kids are getting back to school. Meeting their new teachers and looking forward to next summer. Every teacher should have an apple on his/her desk. Make this teachers apple for your young child's new teacher.

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Meet Tommy MacDonald. Video Interview.

If you have not heard of Tommy MacDonald you soon will. I grew up watching the New Yankee Workshop with Norm Abrams. I'm sure many of you know that show has ended after years on the air. Well to help fill that void Tommy will soon be starting a new woodworking show for PBS. It will be called "Rough Cut Woodworking with Tommy MacDonald"

I have followed Tommy for a while on his blog and his skill and personality should enable him to pull this off. It's tough to follow a legend like Norm but I think Tommy might just be the person to do it.

Watch this short interview with Tommy and keep your eyes open for the show starting in October. Good luck Tommy.

You can visit the official Tommy MacDonald web site here.

Another Lee Neiden Scroll Saw Pattern.

Here is another nice pattern from Lee Neiden. This cross has a few very small interior cuts. They will probably need a set of micro drill bits for the interior holes. Use your smallest blade to cut the letters. If you have too much trouble with the letters just cut them away and you will still have a nice cross.

Thanks Lee for all the help.

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Sue Mey Christmas Pattern Blowout!!

As I said the other day it's not too early for crafters to start working on Christmas projects. We all have special people in our lives that we want to give special gifts to. What better gift than something handmade with love right in your workshop. If you start now you can do a couple projects a week and not be so rushed closer to the holidays when everything is crazy.

Sue Mey has put together a collection of 44 Christmas projects. Here is what Sue says about this special offer. Oh and by the way She has given us all a free sample below.

Pay less than $1.00 per pattern/set of patterns when you purchase this collection! Forty four Christmas patterns - Value $232.00 if purchased separately, Save $189.00 and pay only $42.95. The selection contains plaques, clocks, picture frames, a Christmas card, candle holders, napkin holder, coin box, greeting card box, word blocks, a door topper, and a layered scene. There are two Santa boxes, one open and another with a lid, a nativity trinket box, a colourful box with segmentation lid. Christmas trees include two with banners and overlays, a star-stacked tree, and a set of 7 slotted trees. For ornaments choose from 12 two-dimensional patterns and 15 compound-cut patterns. Larger patterns are divided with dash lines for easy printing on standard-size paper. Basic tips & techniques covering 15 different topics are included. There are links to pages on my website where more comprehensive information on certain topics is available. For many of the projects I have included step-by-step instructions.



I’m sure you will agree that this is a great offer considering the contents!

Jump on over to Sue's site and ask her about this special offer.


Sue wanted to share a free sample for everyone to cut. This is a beautiful Christmas box.

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Changing the size of the pattern before you print.

For all of you that have ordered the Christmas Name Ornaments I wanted to give you a tip for printing. The patterns might be a little large for the wood you have handy. In this video I will show you how to reduce the pattern size before you print it.

It might be easier to see the steps if you make the video full screen to view. Just click the full screen icon in the lower right hand corner of the video player.

Thanks again for all the orders. I'm working through them at a pretty good pace so if you have not received yours yet I'll have them out to you asap.

If you are viewing this in the email newsletter you may not be able to see the video. Here is the direct link. Video Link

Beautiful Pattern by Judy Hunter.

Many of you know Judy from the Community Forum. She is an active poster in the forum and always has a nice word for everyone there. The other day she uploaded this pattern. I liked it so much I ask her if she would be willing to share it with the world. Luckily for us she said yes. Thanks Judy.

Personalized Name Ornaments Update:
I am slowly working through all the orders for the ornaments. I would guess I'm about two days out for the orders that came in yesterday and today. If you have already received your patterns please double check for typos. I have done a few hundred patterns so the opportunity for a typo is there. Just let me know and I'll fix it. Thanks for the orders I hope you enjoy making the ornaments.

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Meet Jacobo Villacres.

The scroll saw has been around for hundreds of years. Ornamental fretwork overlays have been found on Egyptian furniture that is over 3000 years old. Through the centuries the craft has risen and fallen in popularity.

Obviously the tools have changed over the years also. Originally hand frame saws were used then foot powered saws became common. Of course now we have electric powered saws.

Jacobo sent me these pictures of how he has mastered the hand frame scroll saw. It's actually possible to get very proficient with the hand frame. Just like we do with today's saw Jacobo has cut the interior cuts first.

The hand frame is supported on a wooden base that has a V cut in the end. It takes a bit of practice to control the piece with one hand but here you can see Jacobo is doing just fine.

We can all relate to how it feels to remove the final successful project from the waste wood.

Look at how delicate the piece is. I think that shows just how good of a job the hand frame saw can do. Thanks Jacobo for sharing the pictures and your talent.

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Purchase Personalized Name Ornament Patterns for Christmas.

Make personalized Christmas Ornaments for family and friends. These make beautiful gifts and will be cherished for years. It's not too early to start your holiday cutting.

I know many of you just want to cut patterns. Making your own patterns just is not your cup of tea. Let me do the designing for you.

I am going to start taking orders for Name Ornament Patterns. For $5 I will design 5 ornaments with the names you need. The pattern book will be created and emailed to you for approval. If you are completely satisfied you will then be able to pay online or by sending a check.

The minimum order is $5 for 5 names. If you need addition names they will be created at an additional $1 per name.

The ornaments are 5" in diameter. You can easily change the size of the ornaments by changing the size percentage in the print dialog while printing.

I will complete the pattern book as quickly as possible. If it will take me more than 5 days I will let you know by email of the expected time. This will likely be a limited time offer.

It is best to keep the names under 10 letters. The more letters the more complex the pattern and it tends to get a little cluttered.

When you click the Order Now button below you will be directed to an order form in your browser. Completely fill out the form. Make sure you type your email address correctly. You will not be billed until you receive the pattern book.

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Are you ready for some football!

The college football season is less than two weeks off. I'm ready for some football.

I love sports. I would love to be able to design college sports patterns but you have to be very careful not to step on trademarks. The patterns in this book are fairly generic with out mascots images. The good news is that you can add a picture of your favorite fan or the school logo in the picture frame. If you have a color printer it's no problem to find a picture of your team online and print it out. Keep in mind that selling items that contain trademarked images is not a good idea.

The patterns in this book are for one popular conference but if the requests are there in decent numbers I will do more.

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Guitar Wall Clock Scroll Saw Pattern.

This pattern is 17.5 inches tall. You will need a clock movement for 1/4" thick wood. You will need a piece of wood that is 18 inches long and 6.5 inches wide. I used 1/4 inch thick wood to keep the weight of the clock down. If you decide to use thicker wood make sure you buy the proper clock movement.

If you are not used to cutting larger projects it's best to stand up at the saw for best control. This project will be at the limits of a 16" saw so you might have to be a little creative if that is the size of your saw.

I included a pattern for a home made hanger/standoff. Because the clock sticks out from the back of the guitar you need a 3/4 inch thick standoff at the top of the neck. I just decided to kill two birds with one stone and make the standoff a hanger also. There is a picture in the pattern that shows how the hanger is made. Before you glue the hanger on the back of the neck check the center of balance so the clock hangs straight. On mine I just center the hanger at the top of the neck and it hangs perfectly straight.

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Unicorn Scroll Saw Clock.

This clock requires a 1 7/16" mini clock insert.

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Someone is going to have a bad day.

Sometimes the frog wins and sometimes the fly wins.

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John Stoddard, Giveaway Winner!

Meet John Stoddard and his lovely wife Sandra. John was selected as the winner of the mid month giveaway. John wins "The New Scroll Saw Handbook". It's always fun to give something away but the real gift is getting to meet the winners.

John and his wife have eleven grand children and three great grand children. John has not been scrolling long but he enjoys making gifts for the grand children and his wife. With all the grand children he has he should be busy scrolling for quite some time. Congratulation John and keep making the saw dust flying.

August Giveaway Drawing.

It's time for the mid month drawing for the giveaway. This month the prize is "The New Scroll Saw Handbook" by Patrick Spielman. This is a great book that every scroller should have in their library.

We had around 1900 entries for this drawing and all the entries will remain in the pool for the end of the month drawing. Keep your daily entries coming for the best chance to win.

If you are reading this in the email newsletter you may not see the video. Please visit the blog and watch it there or click this link.

The Scrollsaw Workshop is primarily supported by donations. If you enjoy this Blog and would like to make a donation please click this link. Your support is greatly appreciated.Make A Donation

Deer Scene Scroll Saw Pattern.

The nature scene is about 10.5 inches long. It shows a herd of deer in the field with a barn in the distance. It could be cut from 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch wood and is mounted on an oval base.

My arm is starting to feel a little better now so I wanted to work on a new pattern tonight. I can go for about 15 minutes at a time now. That's a lot better than last week when my hand, elbow and bicep were on fire if I even touched the mouse. I'm on vacation this week so I am getting even more time to rest the arm. I'll try to get back to working on email tomorrow. The reply's are going to be brief so don't feel offended if you get a short response.

I want to thank everyone who sent their well wishes while I recovered. I would like to answer them all but that's not going to be possible. I also really appreciate all the pattern donations many of you sent. I won't be able to use them all right now but I'll post many of them as I can. Thank you all.

I will also do the first giveaway drawing of the month tomorrow. I'll post the video of the drawing later in the day. Good luck to every who has entered.

The Scrollsaw Workshop is primarily supported by donations. If you enjoy this Blog and would like to make a donation please click this link. Your support is greatly appreciated.Make A Donation

Another Lee Neiden Scroll Saw Pattern.

This is another great portrait pattern donated by Lee Neiden. Thanks again Lee.

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This months giveaway will be "The New Scroll Saw Handbook" by Patrick Speilman. This is and always has been my favorite scroll saw teaching guide.

Lee Neiden, donated scroll saw pattern.

This is another guest designer pattern donated to us by Lee Neiden. Lee is the President of the North Eastern Ohio Scrollers. He is a skilled designer and maybe best know for his car patterns. This great eagle and flag portrait pattern shows that he is capable of much more than car designs. Thanks Lee.


Check out his book, "Transportation and Car Patterns for the Scroll Saw". The book is available from lulu.com as a digital download for $15.50 or paperback for $27.50.

I want to thank everyone for all the nice email wishing me a speedy recovery from my arm and hand problems. I have really cut back on the computer use this week and it's already starting to feel better.

The Scrollsaw Workshop is primarily supported by donations. If you enjoy this Blog and would like to make a donation please click this link. Your support is greatly appreciated.Make A Donation