We are just days away from celebrating Independence Day here in the United States. In March of 1799, Patrick Henry used the phrase. "Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs."
The origin of the phrase "United we stand divided we fall." has been traced back to the Greek storyteller Aesop. The basic principle has been passed down through the generations because of the wisdom it holds. We are stronger together and with division comes defeat.
"United", does not mean agreement. Disagreement is a founding principle that our country was founded on and should be encouraged. "United" means that we share the core values of fairness and respect even through disagreement.
When I was trying to design a pattern to celebrate Independence Day this phrase seemed to be the most relevant for America in 2018. We are clearly divided. Do we have the courage to stay united?
This pattern is a little over fourteen inches wide. The front part of the pattern will be a little weak until you get it mounted on the backer board. My strategy for cutting this pattern would be to cut the letters and stars first. I would then cut the stripes and finish with the outside cut.
I have not test cut this pattern but I feel like that order of cut will maintain the most strength and give you less potential for breaking the piece. Once you get it glued to the backer board it will be plenty strong.
Quick Tip: Are you Square?
It is important to check that the blade is square to the table before you begin a new project. There is nothing more frustrating than to ruin a project board because you forgot to make this simple check.
Here is a quick toolless method to check for square. Grab a scrap piece of wood at least 3/4" thick. Make a small cut in the side of the board approximately 1/16" into the board. See photo below.
Here is a quick toolless method to check for square. Grab a scrap piece of wood at least 3/4" thick. Make a small cut in the side of the board approximately 1/16" into the board. See photo below.
Rotate the board to the back of the blade as shown in the photo below. If the blade perfectly lines up with the cut then the blade is 90 degrees to the table and ready to cut.
If the blade and the kerf are not lined up, adjust the table half the difference and recheck. When they line up you are good to go. This trick is handy when you don't have a small square available. It may take a couple of tries to get it right but it works.
Click image to enlarge
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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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