Scroll Saw Mug Pattern and Mug Contest.

Enter the SHOW ME YOUR MUG contest and win a $30 Amazon gift certificate. Details at the bottom of this post.

Here is a project that I think you will have fun making. This large mug is easy to cut and is not your typical scroll saw project. I know a few of the lathe turners out there will complain that it's easier to make a hollow vessel on the lathe. That might be true but this is a scroll saw blog so I will continue.

This mug as pictured holds 16oz. You can easily add more rings and make it taller to increase it's capacity. When you finish cutting all the pieces here is a tip for gluing and sanding. Glue up the rings in segments of three. Sand the interior of the segments as you go. Then glue the segments together and apply the bottom. It's much easier to sand the interior before it is all glued up.

I used an oscillating spindle sander for the interior but you can do it by hand with a little more elbow grease. After you get all the rings and bottom glued up sand the exterior. I used a combination of power and hand sanding to get a nice smooth and round finish.

Before you try to glue on the handle you will need to sand a flat spot to attach the handle to. This will be almost impossible by hand. I use an upright belt sander and it worked great. Glue the handle to the flat spot and wait for it to dry.

On very important sanding tip is to get the rim of the mug sanded really well and rounded over. You want it to be comfortable to drink from.

Food safe finishes:

Every time I post a project that involves finishing an item used for food or beverage I get the same question. "What finishes are safe for food?"

It is my opinion after much research that all modern day finishes are food safe once they are completely cured. There is a difference between dry and cured. Read the manufactures instructions for curing time.

There has been a lot of debate in the woodworking community about this question and much bad information. Read the article at this link for many of the reasons I have come to this opinion. Use your own research and come to your own opinion about safety.

If you are planning to sell the mugs then your customer may ask if they are safe to drink from. Many of them will have heard that only some finishes are food safe. If that is your plan then you may want to use one of the finishes that are widely believed to be food safe such as mineral oil.

Use your imagination when selecting different ring combinations and send me pictures of your mug. Not your mugshot, you drinking mug.

Show Me Your Mug Contest: Read and follow the rules!
Here is a little contest for you. Send me pictures of your mugs. Be creative and make them your own design. THE ONLY THING YOU CANNOT CHANGE IS THE SHAPE OF THE HANDLE. This will ensure that they are recent projects. Use different ring combinations and colors. Use different species of wood. Whatever makes them look interesting. I will have my daughter and wife select a few of the most interesting designs. Make sure the pictures are well lit and in focus. I will post the selected mugs on the blog and let the readers vote on a winner. I will give a $30 Amazon gift certificate to the winner selected by the readers. The deadline for entries will be Saturday September 18th 2010 at noon eastern time.

Send entries to giveaway@stevedgood.com. Please put your first and last name in the subject line of the email.

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