This Holiday plate is eight inches in diameter. It has a backer board that is painted red. This is one of those projects that you can cut from any thickness of wood you like. You can use the backer board or just leave it off. The backer board will give it some extra strength.
More Information for my Patterns.
I occasionally get an email asking me to label my patterns according to their difficulty level. A similar email I receive asks what blade I recommend for a particular pattern.
I understand that when you are just starting out that it can be difficult to know where to start. I don't state this information on my patterns for a few reasons. Let me explain.
Let me start with which scroll saw blades to use. This is a subject that gets way over analyzed. I am a minimalist when it comes to scroll saw blades. Don't let all the type of blade confuse you.
I teach new scrollers that they can cut 95% of all scroll saw patterns with just two or three different blades. If you buy a gross of #5 Scroll Reverse and #3 Scroll Reverse you are 90% there. Then depending on the wood you cut you can add a half gross of #1 Scroll Revers and #7 Scroll Reverse and you are probably set for many months of weekend cutting.
As you progress and want to try cutting different types of materials you can add blades that are specialized to those materials.
One lone exception is spiral blades. I'm going to say something here that will rankle some folks but you should not use spiral blades but for a very small subset of projects. They are not as accurate or as easy to learn as flat blades. No beginner should start out with spiral blades unless they only plan to cut large portrait style patterns. Spiral blades do have their place but only for some specialized projects. I know there are some who disagree with this but I stand by this because it is correct.
The moral when it comes to scroll saw blades is to keep it simple.
Now let's talk about labeling patterns for skill level. I don't have anything against labeling patterns for skill. I just don't think it makes much difference.
Some new scrollers will struggle with a pattern when the next person will find it easy. Every person advances at different speeds. If I label a pattern it is just a subjective recommendation. It may be novice level for one scroller and intermediate level for the next.
I would prefer that someone try a pattern that may be slightly out of their skill level than to get stuck in the rut of only doing novice patterns. After a small number of projects, most people will advance rather quickly on the scroll saw. You will advance quicker if you push your limits.
None of the patterns in my catalog would be considered "Advanced". I would say that 75% or more would be considered novice level. Once to master four or five techniques and know the proper workflow you can cut any of my patterns.
I also have a problem that there is no easy solution for. I have thousands of patterns in my catalog. It would take many hours if not days to go back and label them all. I could start labeling just the new patterns but I will instantly start getting email asking me to label the older ones. It's a project that I really don't want to tackle at least for now.
I hope this helps those of you who may be new to the hobby or are trying to learn.
Another Aluminum Cutting Update:
Yesterday I mentioned that the aluminum stock I ordered from Amazon had gone out of stock. I received an update that it will be back in stock on November 24th. Here is that link again for those of you who are following this project. 1/4" Aluminum Flat Sheet.
I am working on a few different techniques for making projects from aluminum. I am also researching to see what the qualities of different aluminum alloys have and how they work for the projects we may want to cut. I will be doing a complete demonstration of all the things I learn in a few of weeks.
I re-cut the ring today and got better results. I cut the band thinner to give it a more comfortable feel. I know these are pretty basic rings but I have some ideas to add more embellishments that if they work will give more options. I am also planning other jewelry and non-jewelry projects so stay tuned if this is of interest to you.
I ordered more supplies today and it will take a couple of weeks to get everything delivered.
Currently on sale at many locations:
I have used DeWalt power tools for years. I have several of their 20v lithium-ion tools and they are the best I have used to date. The power and battery life are excellent. The build quality is also outstanding. I recommend them to people all the time.
I always keep an eye out for sales on good tools. Right now several places that sell DeWalt tools have sales going on. Amazon has this 20v Drill Driver for $99. I see that Home Depot has the same sale price on their site also.
Full retail price varies depending on where you look but $99 is at least $30 cheaper than the normal price.
For the price, this is an excellent buy. It will almost certainly outlast similarly priced drills from other manufacturers. You can add other power tools as needed and the batteries will fit.
It would be wonderful if the products we buy were always manufactured in our own country. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in. The good news is that many DeWalt tools are at least assembled in the U.S. The materials that make up the tools come from all over the world but that's better than nothing. I like to support domestic manufacturing as much as possible.
Bear Woods Sponsored Giveaway:
Entries are going strong for the Bear Woods Giveaway. We have over 4,800 entries with 11 days left to enter. If you have not entered yet them click the link below and maybe you will be the winner.
Remember that you can enter every day.
Remember that you can enter every day.
The 1st Winner will receive a $100 Bear Woods gift certificate.
The 2nd winner will receive a completed Charles Dearing artwork.
All Personalized Christmas Ornament Patterns ordered before the November 18th have been emailed out. If you are expecting an order and have not seen it in your email inbox. please check your spam folder. I keep copies of all orders so let me know if you need them sent again.
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
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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