Coal miners spend long hard and dangerous days/nights working miles underground. Not only is this job difficult it is also critical. The coal these men and women dig produces nearly half of the electricity used in the US. Many of the miners grew up with their fathers and grandfathers working in the mines before them.
The use of coal is controversial because it is not a clean burning fuel. We can debate the best ways to use coal in the coming years but there is no debate that the miners perform a very important job. Let's face it. Most of us flip the light switch with no thought about what it takes to generate that electricity. The odds are that when you flip that switch, and the light comes on, you can thank a coal miner.
I live in Kentucky. Kentucky is in the top five states of coal producers. I have spent some time in Eastern Kentucky where many of the mines are. For many of these miners the coal mine is their best option to earn a fair living. Trust me when I say they are not getting paid enough for the difficult work they do.
I reader mentioned that I should design a pattern to salute the coal miners that we all depend on so much. I thought that was an outstanding idea. Thanks to all the men and women who work so hard to keep the lights on.
Video discussing my easy pattern maker programs:
Several years ago I started writing programs that I could use to make simple scroll saw patterns. I wrote this software for my own uses but then a few other people wanted it. I decided to release it for anyone to use. I ended up writing four programs that somewhat overlap. I'm not a great programmer so it was often easier to start over instead of updating the current program.
Because of this overlap and the many years between programs it has become confusing to know what does what. I keep all the programs available to download on the blog because some people prefer the older software and they do slightly different things.
That's where this video comes in. I give a brief overview of each program so I can point readers to this when they have questions. These programs are very basic. They are designed for people with even limited computer skills.
Links to each program
Online Stencil Printer (Compatible with the Mac and other operating systems including iPad)
I offer very limited support to these programs. I generally do not answer emails asking how to use them. They are basic and there are videos showing their use.
Stephen over at Bear Woods is in the Christmas Spirit.
He wants to have three winners for this months giveaway.
Each winner will receive their choice of
3 dozen Pegas scroll saw blades or
a $25 gift certificate.
I'm feeling the spirit also so I will double that offer.
I will give a Bear Woods $25 gift certificate to each winner also.
That's $50 worth of goodies from Bear Woods.
Give yourself clean air to breathe for Christmas.
This shop air cleaner gets very good reviews and the price is fantastic. $111.00
I use the Shop Vac air cleaner in my shop. It does a really nice job but does not have any of the nice features that this WEN model has. This has three speeds and a timer.
Of the 349 user reviews it has 5 out of 5 stars from 74% of those users. That's pretty good.
If you are looking for a nice air cleaner and would like to support the Scrollsaw Workshop then consider using this Amazon affiliate link to order the WEN Air Filtration System
Your price stays the same and I get a small commission.
Click to Purchase.
Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever.
your source for Pegas scroll saw blades and craft supplies.
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
This DVD has 1,964 patterns published from 2007 thru 2016.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
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.
Click here to Order.
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.
