Monday, May 28, 2018

Horse Portrait Scroll Saw Pattern.


14" X 11" Horse Portrait

The horse just might be the most beautiful animal on earth. They are an amazing combination of strength and grace. I live in the Bluegrass of Kentucky and we have many beautiful horse farms in the area. Driving through the countryside and seeing the thoroughbreds in the fields is really special. 

This pattern is 14" X 11" and is broken up into four pages. It will be best cut on Baltic birch plywood for strength. I have seen these larger portraits cut from 3/4" hardwood panels and they look spectacular. 

You may be interested to know that I designed this portrait pattern on an Apple iPad pro using the Apple pencil. That is an amazing combination. I can't do most types of patterns with it but for portrait style pattern it is a great system. Let me know if you would like to see a demonstration of the process and if I get enough response I will do a video. 

Scroll Saw Blade Tension:

It can be difficult for new scollers to know what the correct tension of a blade should be. I understand that because when you hear someone explain the correct tension it sounds flaky.

The most common techniques you hear is to tension the blade until it produces a C note when plucked. What? How many people do you know that would recognize a C note when they hear it? 

The next technique you hear is that the blade should deflect a 1/8" when you apply moderate pressure on the side of the blade. Define moderate. A new scroller using a saw for the first time is very unlikely to know what moderate pressure is. That just does not work.

So what is the best way to teach correct blade tension? Take your choice because it all comes down to experience. You will start to notice that the blade drifts more easily when the tension is too low. You will also see concave or convexed edges on thicker woods when the tension is not right. These are signs of a poorly tensioned blade.

Most of the time a new scroller and even an experienced scroller will under tension the blade. Scroll saw blades are designed to work under high tension. Just for grins, set the tension the way you normally do, then bump it up a little and cut for a while. See if your cuts are more accurate. 

One thing that sometimes prevents proper tension is blade slippage. Blades slipping out of the clamps is almost never related to tension. If the blade is slipping the set screw and thumb screw are worn. The set screws that hold the blade in place are wear items and need to be replaced routinely. Do not over tighten the set screw to prevent slippage. You will damage the saw. You should be able to tighten the thumbscrew with your thumb and forefinger without cranking down hard.

Experiment with blade tension and see what the results are. You may be surprised. 


King Arthur's Tools 11307 Guinevere Total System for Sanding


This is an expensive tool but is it worth the money? I have owned this system for several years and I am glad I have it. The feature that makes this tool work well is the inflatable drums. The sleeves fit over the drum then the drum is inflated with air. This makes the drum conform to the piece being sanded giving you beautiful control of the area being sanded.

Don't get me wrong. You can remove lots of material with the sander. That's why I like it. You get the best of an inflatable drum but the ability to remove lots of wood. You can also install hard drums in the system if desired.

If you have ever tried to remove blade burn marks from wood you know how difficult that can be with hand sanding. This tool makes that task easy work. Sanding inside of bowls is a simple task with this system. 

This system get's overlooked because of the price. I understand that. It's over $400. That's a lot of money for a sanding system. It took me a while to pull the trigger when I was thinking about buying it. 

I started this with a question. Is this system worth the money? I always try to answer that type of question with another question. Would I buy another one if this one broke? Yes, I would buy another one. I would feel the pinch when I typed in the credit card number but I would buy it again.


$3 PDF catalog update:

For those of you who use the $3 pdf catalog of my patterns, I will get the latest update out later this week. I have 42 new patterns to add to the catalog. Here is the link to the order page if you want to buy this product. There is a video on the page showing what it is for.

You do not need to purchase this product to have access to my free patterns. It is just an accessory that makes it easier to browse the entire catalog quickly. It is a pdf with thumbnails of all the pattern. You can quickly browse every pattern then download it from the name using the downloader included.
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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. 
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.

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. 

Unique Wooden Vases:
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

My Sponsors:
Support the businesses who support our community.
Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.



This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!






https://www.bearwood.com/
Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!


Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties. Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

http://seyco.com/
Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Free Pattern Catalog. 1000's of free patterns.

http://www.stevedgood.com/catalog/

Thousands of FREE scroll saw patterns. No registration or signup required.

The projects form these patterns can be sold without restrictions. The patterns cannot be sold.

Click here for the Free Online Catalog.

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Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make. 

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order. Click the picture to order.
http://www.stevedgood.com/swpd/swpdorderpage.html
You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1
Download the Free Scroll Saw Pattern Printer Version 1.1. Create name patterns in seconds. Windows PC only.
Download Version 1.1
Please consider a $5 donation for The Scroll Saw Pattern Printer v1.1.

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker. Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.
The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed. Please consider a $5 donation for the program.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.
Download the Free Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker. Create Oval key chain patterns in seconds.
Download Version .9a
Please consider a $5 donation for The Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker.

T-Shirts and More.

T-Shirts and More.
Show your love for the hobby and support the Scrollsaw Workshop. Safe and secure order fullfilled by CafePress. Take a look. You are sure to find something you like. CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the store.

The Lifter

Papa's Custom Patterns.

www.papasworkshop.net

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.
Buy This Wonderful Heirloom Puzzle Pattern

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.
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Disclaimer:
The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.

Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts