Wolf Pack. This pattern is 11" X 14".
There is a small town outside of my home city named Nicholasville Ky. They have a population of just over 30,000. This week I have spent quite a bit of time in Nicholasville. I have been visiting the Jessamine County Public library.
The Jessamine Co library is the closest maker space to my house. I needed access to a laser engraver and they have one. The tube in my laser died and I have orders to fill so I needed a backup. I am ordering a new laser Monday but that was not going to get my orders out in time.
I just want to talk about the experience for a few minutes. I had to take an orientation class that went over the basic rules and procedures. They briefly discussed the equipment they have available and answered a few questions.
After the orientation they had you sign up for individual classes on the individual machines. They have the laser engraver, two CNC machines, multiple 3D printers, an audio/video recording studio as well as other accessory equipment.
To say this place is impressive is an understatement. I was in tech heaven. Access to the machines is free and they even supply some supplies. Did I say wow yet?
The class that I needed to take to be able to use the laser was a few days away. I did not have that kind of time so I ask the young man in charge of the lab if I could use the machine since I already had lots of experience. He asked me a few questions to see if I actually knew what I was doing and signed me off. The guy was friendly and knowledgeable. He was there to help and he did.
The room with the laser also houses the two x-carve CNC machines. In the three days, I have been working there only a couple people have come in to use the machines. I have had almost unlimited access. They normally schedule time in hour blocks but allow you to keep working if no one else is in line. One day I was there for almost eight hours and they were fine with that.
The only downside to this incredible facility is that they can only give people basic training. Laser engravers, CNC machine, and 3D printers are complex machines. To have success you need considerable experience.
I was there when a small group of people were trying to use the CNC router to cut out the shape of Kentucky from plywood. It was a basic job for a CNC but they were not having much success. They wanted to produce a product but did not have the knowledge to do so with a complex machine like a CNC. They gave up. I offered to complete the job for them when I get back from Iowa next week and they were thrilled.
The problem with them trying to use the lab was that they wanted to create something. They were not really looking to learn. These maker space labs are for learning more than making. I just wish I had seen more people taking advantage of this wonderful facility.
I ask them if they would like to add a scroll saw to their lab if I could get one donated to them. They were interested so I am going to make that happen when I get back next week. Then I'll volunteer some time to do training for the staff.
The scroll saw is not as tech sexy as the laser or CNC machine but I can teach someone to use a scroll saw in a few minutes. To teach these other machines takes hours. It will be interesting to see how much the scroll saw gets used compared to the other equipment. I know one thing for sure. The people who were having a tough time with the CNC today would have loved to have the scroll saw there. I bet they would have left with a finished cutting. They left with some torn up plywood.
I am telling this story to let you know these facilities are starting to be more common. Look for them in your library or check to see if a maker space has opened in your area. They are wonderful places to learn about these machines.
Exciting News. We have another giveaway for this month.
Stephen over at Bear Woods recommended that we do a giveaway in conjunction with the Midwest Scroll Saw and Woodworking Trade Show. You do not have to be at the show to win.
We will have three winners.
#1 will receive a $300 gift certificate from Bear Woods sponsored by the Scrollsaw Workshop
#2 will receive a $150 gift certificate from Bear Woods sponsored by Bear Woods.
#3 will receive an incredible scrolled piece of art by Charles Dearing. This artwork will be cut live at the show. After the show, it will be packaged and sent to the winner. You will love this artwork.
The contest is open to the world. Enter once per day.
The entries will end 7/31/2018 at midnight. Winners will be drawn during the show.
We will try to stream the drawing live if we have a decent internet connection.
Signature Coin Orders:
As related in the story above I am working to get all the signature coin orders out before I leave for Iowa next week. I am on track to get them all finished. If you want to place an order now that's fine but I may not get to them until I return from the Midwest Scroll Saw and Woodworking Tradeshow.
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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Ad: AffiliateDEWALT DW788 1.3 Amp 20-Inch Variable-Speed Scroll Saw
The DeWalt is probably the most popular scroll saw ever. This yellow machine can get the job done. I have owned two of these machines. One I gave away and the other one is still in my shop and running well. It's 12 years old. If you are looking for a good, reliable saw then consider the DeWalt DW788.
- Double parallel-link arm design dramatically reduces vibration and noise for extremely accurate cuts
- Exclusive tool-free blade clamps allow blade changes in seconds. Depth of Cut (inches): 2 in
- On-off switch, electronic variable speed, flexible dust blower, and blade-tensioning lever all located on front upper arm
- Arm design pivots from back of the saw to front, shortening the arm movement for smoother, quieter operation
- Arm lifts so blade can be easily threaded through the material for inside cuts