Tie-Dyed shirts, bell bottom jeans and the hippy dippy weather man. The 60's era changed us forever. Love it or hate it life was never the same again.
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011
I'm showing my age with this one.
Tie-Dyed shirts, bell bottom jeans and the hippy dippy weather man. The 60's era changed us forever. Love it or hate it life was never the same again.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sooner or Later She's Gonna Break!
Thomas Jefferson said, “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."Sorry for the politics but that's just the mood I'm in tonight.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Fancy Trivet.
Corel Draw X4 Home & Student Version.
This is not an ad. I'm not linking to an affiliate link here I just want to pass on what I think is a good deal. I have always used Corel Draw to design my scroll saw patterns. It is a powerful vector graphics program that has all the features I need. The current version is X5. This means you can pick up a good deal on the previous version.Corel Draw X4 Home & Student is still for sale on Amazon and the price is a steal. You can currently buy it for $41.65 plus shipping. The normal full retail price was $129.00. This is not the educational version that requires a student ID. This is the Home & Student version which is the complete version with the restriction that it not be used for commercial purposes.
A word of warning needs to go out here. This is a serious application that requires you to learn how to use it. I personally think it is the easiest vector graphics program to learn but it still takes time an effort on your part. The good news is that as pattern designers we only need to learn some of the tools in the program to be productive.
If this is a part of the hobby that interests you then this might be something to look at before all the X4 packages are gone.
Corel Draw X4 Amazon Link.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Deer Family Shadow Display.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
5 X 7 Word Frames.
Here are several different word frames for you 5" X 7" portrait pictures. You can cut these from different thicknesses of wood for different effects. I like to cut them from 3/4" thick wood for a shadowbox look. You can use an optional 1/4" backer board for a different look also.
Friday, June 24, 2011
God Bless America 8 inch Plate.
Adrian Iredale, wooden gear clock maker.
Adrian is a wooden gear clock maker from Australia. I received an email from him today telling me about a new video he just uploaded to his YouTube Channel. In the simulated wooden gear above notice how he spokes have been cut into the gear. This is a typical technique in wooden gears and is mostly decorative. Adrian had watched my video on the double bevel inlay technique and decided to use the inlay in place of the cutout spokes. I have never seen this technique used in gear making and thought I would share his video with all of you. Can't wait to see a finished clock with these gears. Take a look at the video and maybe you can come up with some interesting techniques using the double bevel inlay also.After you watch this video check out Adrian's YouTube channel and be amazed by his beautiful clocks.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Noah's Ark Puzzle by Philip Lowndes.
This is one of my favorite puzzles of all time. This ingenious puzzle pattern was developed by Philip Lowndes of the UK. I first saw this puzzle a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I contacted Philip to see if he could make the pattern available for sale. Luckily he said yes and many of my readers have been able to buy this pattern and build this heirloom toy for their grandchildren and children.
Philip gives painting suggestions for the animals. Don't lets the painting scare you. The kids will love the animals even if your painting skills are not so great.The easiest way to get a feel for the construction is to watch the video below of the puzzle being disassembled and assembled. If you watch the video a few time the instructions for cutting and building the ark make much more sense. The pattern is metric so a little adjusting of the pattern is required but that's not too difficult.
The puzzle comes in three sizes. The medium is the easiest to build. I consider this an intermediate pattern to build. It will require you to dimension the wood and make some adjustments if you are not accustomed to the metric system. The small amount of effort required to build this puzzle is well worth the end results.
You can buy this pattern HERE.
For another treat visit Philip's Automata site HERE.
Check out this wonderful video of just one of Philip's Automata. His craftsmanship is masterful and the pieces are always fun to watch.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Mini Clock Inserts.
There are many different Styles
Clock Insert MountingMini clock inserts are popular accessories for scroll saw projects. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and make nice little gifts. They range in price from $5 to $15 for the insert. There are many different styles of face plate so you can find one that matches the pattern you have.
They also range in quality. It can be difficult to determine the quality of the insert from the online advertisement. Usually the less expensive inserts will be categorized as "Economy Inserts". This does not always hold true so read the ad closely then ask questions of other more experienced scrollers. The common difference in quality is a metal bezel and glass face cover vs plastic. I find that even the economy models are fine for most scroll saw projects.
In the image above you will see the backs of two different mounting styles. All the inserts fit in a hole drilled in the wood at a certain diameter and depth. The insert on the left is secured in the hole with small clips. The clips apply pressure to the inside of the hole. These are called "friction fit" inserts. The image on the right shows a "rubber ring" insert. The rubber ring wraps around the insert and when pressed into the hole makes a tight fit. I have used both types and prefer the friction fit but honestly I usually just buy the best price available at the time.
The best method to drill the hole for the insert is to use a forstner bit. (pictured above) Each size insert requires a different size bit. The most common inserts used are the 1 7/16" (36mm). These inserts require a 1 3/8" hole. You can buy the forstner bits individually or in sets. The insert will have specifications for the depth required. You can find them at most hardware and woodworking stores. Many of the retailers who sell the inserts also carry the forstner bit.The links below are just a few of the places online you can find the clock inserts. I think I have purchased from all of these merchants over the years. I have not had any problems with any of them but if you read the online forums you will hear stories of poor service occasionally. Visit the sites, read the online forums and use your own judgement as to which you prefer. I am not recommending any of these merchants.
Woodcraft
Sloans Woodshop
Wildwood Designs
Steebar
Klockit
Bear Woods
Wooden Teddy Bear
Rockler
Penn State Industries
Clockparts
If you have never used the mini clock inserts give them a try the next time you need to give a small gift. There are hundreds of patterns available for just about any occasion.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Butterfly Desk Ornament.
This is what I call a desk ornament. Cut it from 1/2" or 3/4" thick wood. Butterflies are one of several themes that many people collect. If you do any craft shows butterflies usually sell pretty well.Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. I lost my father many years ago when I was just a child. I wish I could celebrate this day with him. Even though I was very young when he passed away he still influenced almost every part of my life as I grew up. I miss him very much. Happy Father's Day dad. I love you.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Caution Sleeping Dad Sign.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Desk pen holder for you favorite driver.
Stock car racing is one of the most popular sports in America today. Fans have their favorite drivers and they collect anything associated with that driver. Here is a desk pen and pencil holder for 40 of the most popular drivers .Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Candle Sconce Scroll Saw Pattern.
This project requires a pair of wooden candle cups. You can find them at most craft stores. I also used wooden button plugs to hide the wall mounting screws. I highly recommend the use of battery powered candles. They are much safer and the ones on the market now look very natural.This sconce is a little over 10 inches tall. I used 1/2" thick poplar so it would match the candle cups better.
Monday, June 13, 2011
1st Bank of Dad.
I'm still trying to work out the details of the monthly giveaway. There are a couple of issues going on that I'm not sure how to deal with yet. There are technical as well as legal issues involved in running an online contest. I have to make sure that your privacy is protected and that I'm not breaking any laws with the giveaway. Sounds crazy but there are laws about giving things away online. Because entry in the giveaway is free there should not be a problem but the rules need to be posted clearly on the blog. I need to update the rules and make them available on the blogs main page. The other issue is that I collect email addresses for all the entries so I can notify the winner. I have to have a privacy statement about the use of that data. I only use it for the contest entry then they are deleted but that also needs to be clearly spelled out on the blog.
I'll get the giveaway back up and running as soon as I can. Thanks.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The Man The Myth The Legend.
Customize this pattern with the name of your favorite legend(Dad). Use a stencil font in your word processor at a size of 48 points. There is a link to font in the pattern.Friday, June 10, 2011
Country Was Always Cool.
All you country music fans out there remember Barbara Mandrell's "I was country when country wasn't cool" title. Well in my book country was always cool.This clock requires a 1 7/16" mini clock insert. It should make a nice little gift for your country music fans in the family. If you live in Nashville you might even be able to sell a couple to your favorite country music legend.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The harder I work the luckier I get.
Wooden Comb.
Here is a blank for a wooden comb. You can cut it as is or customize it with your own stencil font.When you cut the blank for the comb try to make the grain of the wood run in the direction of the teeth. This will help prevent the teeth from breaking. The one in the picture has the grain running the length of the comb and the teeth are a little weak. It's actually not too bad because the teeth are strong in the direction they run through your hair.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The link to the monthly contest entry form is down. They were deleted off the server somehow. It seems like this will be a good opportunity to change the giveaway. I will be doing two drawings from the entries already received and then we will start over with something new. I'll try to announce the new entry method this weekend.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Heartland Highways Episode 907.
I am always on the look out for online videos that showcase scroll saw artists at work. This episode of Heartland Highways features Rick Wallace and his scroll saw art. You might also be interested in the other artist profiled in this show.
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Sunday, June 5, 2011
Flying Bird Ornament.
This is a very simple project that can be displayed alone or with other projects. The flying bird is cut from 1/4" wood. Use an eyelet screw for the hanger.Portable shop air conditioner update:
A couple weeks ago I posted how I installed a portable air conditioner in my windowless garage workshop. I ran into a problem where the compressor would only run for a few minutes then shut off. This would leave the fan running but no cool air. After a few minutes the compressor would kick back on but repeat the cycle.
I explained in the post how I had cut a hole in the side door to vent the air conditioner to the outside. To help keep critters out I decided to install a plastic grate and a butterfly valve on the outside of the door covering the hole. This turned out to not be a good idea. The butterfly valve worked fine but it was restricting just enough air flow to cause the thermal fuse in the compressor to trip and shut the compressor off. After it cooled back down the compressor would come back on.
It took me a few days to figure out what was happening but when I removed the butterfly valve the air conditioner runs great now. It was 89 outside this afternoon and I was working in a comfortable 73 degree workshop. I could not be happier.
Several of you had emailed me interested in installing a similar system in your garage workshop. I wanted to pass this update on to any of you who might run into similar trouble.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Wooden Basket Scroll Saw Pattern. Coffee Bean Wood Review.
This wooden basket is a pattern I created several years ago. I wanted to update the pattern with a new picture and clean it up a bit. Of all the projects I make this is one of the most popular with friends and family.
Coffee Bean WoodAnother reason I wanted to cut this project tonight is that I am experimenting with several different domestic hardwoods. One new wood to me is Coffee Bean Wood. I used Coffee Bean for the weave in this basket. The grain pattern looked good to my eye for the weave.
Coffee Bean is known by a few other names depending on the region of the country you live in. Kentucky Mahogany, Coffeetree and Chicot are a few of it's names. The wood has a coarse straight grain. It reminds me a little of Red Oak. I'm not a big fan of Red Oak for fretwork but Coffee Bean cuts easier and does not seem as prone to breaking along the open grain.
Coffee Bean has the same hardness as White Oak. I did notice that the cut created a lot of dust. I did not notice any allergic reaction to the dust like I have with some other domestic woods.
On a scale of 1 to 10. With 1 being "terrible to cut on the scroll saw" I would give Coffee Nut Wood a 7.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Patriotic Mini Desk Clock.
This small patriotic clock requires a 1 7/16" mini insert.Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Don't forget dad on Father's Day.
