Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Flying Geese Scroll Saw Pattern.

http://www.stevedgood.com/estore/estore.html
This flying geese portrait style pattern is a good chance to practice with spiral blades. Spiral blades are best reserved for this type of pattern. Most of the cuts are organic with few straight lines or geometric shapes. You simply do not have the same control with a spiral as you do with a flat blade. Some people get very skilled with spiral blades and can do a pretty good job with them but I can almost always see a lack of fine control in their work if used on the wrong pattern. That lack of control gets hidden when the interior cuts are organic. 

It's a good idea to learn to use both styles of blades. (flat and spiral) Both have advantages and disadvantages. There is some debate about which blade to use for a particular pattern. For me personally I only use spirals when I have a portrait style pattern like this or if turning the wood blank causes a problem. If you only use spiral blades or only flat blades then I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and experiment.
_______________

Information: My patterns, difficulty and errors.

I get questions from time to time asking about how I make the image that is included with my patterns. In many of the patterns I simply simulate the image of what the final project will look like. I do this by simply adding a wood texture and drop shadow to the pattern. Other patterns like the recent sprint car are actually cut and assembled in my shop. It just depends on time and my desire to cut a pattern.

The pattern in this post is an example of a simulated image. I also added the image of the frame. I do this because I could not possibly cut all the patterns I produce. My goal is to produce a new pattern every day.  There are pros and cons to being prolific. For me it's just something I love to do so I try to do it every day.

Occasionally I receive an email that a pattern has a mistake. If I cut every pattern I would catch more of these mistakes but like I said that does not happen. Sometimes I just am ignorant of a particular fact and when I am told about the fact I usually do an update. I recently had a pattern with an American flag in the background. The flag was not displayed correctly in the first pattern so I went back and corrected them. I really appreciate feedback like that. It just makes my patterns better.

I will sometimes get an email that a patterns has something that offends someone. This pretty much happens on every patriotic or religious pattern I publish. I think I have actually pulled down three patterns in ten years so I generally don't change my mind in these cases. I design patterns based on my personal code and interests. That won't change but I am also opened minded enough to know that I get things wrong sometimes. I am always willing to listen when you have something to say.

I had an email today that said some of my patterns seemed like they may not be possible to cut with the scroll saw. The question was worded in a very friendly manner and was not critical at all. They just thought they may have been produced with a CNC machine. When I publish a pattern I am confident that it can be cut with a scroll saw. I go to pretty exhaustive efforts to check every pattern. I always try to make sure that all interior cuts are large enough for at least a 1/16" drill bit. I always check for fall-outs and other errors like improper dimensions. I catch most of the errors but some slip through. I would encourage you to double check a pattern visually before you commit the pattern to wood.

There are well over 2,000 patterns in my catalog now. I admit that there are a few clunkers but for the most part I'm pretty happy with the overall collection. If you find an error please feel free to pass it along and I'll try to fix it.


_______________
Don't forget to enter the Papa's Workshop giveaway and win The Lifter.

Click this button to enter. Contest ends 6/18/2017 at midnight eastern time.

- -


Please support our monthly giveaway sponsor. Bear Woods,
your source for Pegas scroll saw blades and craft supplies.
_______________
Do you need a source for scroll saw ready boards?
Look no more because Heritage Wood Specialties is
the source you have been looking for.

Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results. 
Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.
The DVD is $10 plus shipping. This is a data DVD that you will use on your computer to watch the video tutorial  


Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.
This DVD has 1,964 patterns published from 2007 thru 2016.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.

You can view a video showing use of the DVD on a Windows PC and a MAC at this link

Click here to Order. 
Want to create beautiful wooden vases on the scroll saw?
My two "Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw" books make it easy.

The books are $12 each and available for instant download after purchase. Click for Video Demonstration.


The Scrollsaw Workshop is primarily supported by donations. If you enjoy this Blog and would like to make a donation please click this Button. Your support is greatly appreciated. 
http://www.stevedgood.com/donate2.html

Ad: Affiliate

The Scroll Saw Lifter - for the Dewalt 788 and Delta 40-690 Scroll Saws


  • NOTE: SCROLL SAW NOT INCLUDED with the LIFTER.
  • Easy to install and to use - one hand operation - makes your scrolling easier and more fun.
  • Made with quality components - Anodized Aluminum...Stainless Steel...Steel
  • Designed to last the life of your Dewalt or Delta Scroll Saw
  • Note: All Lifters ship via USPS Priority Mail and arrive in US locations in about 3-5 days.