As you can see I got started on painting my whirligig. So far so good. Once I get it all painted and setup I'll do another video showing the motion. I would consider this an intermediate level project. Cutting the pieces is easy but working out the mechanics takes a little tinkering. You may have to alter the plans slightly to get everything moving correctly. This happens because bending the 1/8" diameter steel rod can be difficult to reproduce exactly as the plans. Just be prepared to adjust and readjust until you get it right.
Just in case you are not familiar with hand fretwork let me explain. Before we had electric powered saws and before we had pedal powered saws, fretwork was cut by hand with a fretsaw. That's what the little guy on this whirligig is doing.
I would like to spend more time on the instructions for building this whirligig but I want to get it out there so you can get started. I think I have included enough information and pictures in the pattern to complete the build. One step I have not included is mounting the whirligig to a pole in the yard. To do this I will add another block to the bottom of the main board. It will be centered at the balancing point. I will drill a hole for the pole. I have not decided on if it will need an insert in the hole but I'll work that out later.
This year's annual Simply Wooden Creation Whirligig Wars Contest is underway. Russ is going to have several prizes so you might as well win one.
He will judge for 1st thru 3rd place. After that, all the entries will be in a drawing for the remaining prizes. Just entering gives you a good chance to win a prize.
This is a contest where you really need to see the motion to judge the winners. Because of that, you will need to upload a one to two-minute video to YouTube. If you don't have a YouTube account it's easy to sign up. Let me know if you need instructions to upload a video and I'll put together a short tutorial. You can easily use a smartphone to make the video.
Woodworker Guild of America Blogger Awards:
They have me in the "Best furniture making blog" category. No, I have no idea how I got in that category but it's just nice to be mentioned.
If you would like to vote for me just click the link. You have until July 13th, 2018 to vote.
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.
Products for your consideration:
Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
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.
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
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2017 in DVD
Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.
This DVD has 2,300 patterns published from 2007 thru 2017.
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.
If you use the DVD on a Windows PC there is a simple viewer program to browse through the patterns.
The DVD also works fine on a MAC. The viewer program is not MAC compatible but there is an included PDF with all the patterns shown as thumbnails for easy viewing.
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.
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Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
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