This goldfish sculpture is ten inches long. It is made from three layers. The body layers are 1/2" thick and the center fin layer is 1/4" thick.
If you know of someone who enjoys keeping fish they will love this sculpture. It's relatively easy to cut. The only tricky part is the contouring the body and fins. Contouring is easiest done if you have a soft drum sander.
I think this project really calls for a nice hardwood. The nice wood gives it more of a sculpture look.
I used a 1/8" diameter steel rod to hold the fish. I wanted it to be as minimal as possible to make the fish seem to be swimming.
The layers are contoured to give the fish a rounded form. It's difficult to see in the pictures but the fins are also contoured to a dull knife edge. This gives the illusion that they are thinner than they are.
Contour the pieces before you glue them together.
The most important scroll saw technique:
Over the years I have taught many newbies how to use the scroll saw. I see the same mistakes from almost every person when they are getting the feel for how the scroll saw works.
There is one mistake that everyone makes and the sooner you learn the correct technique the sooner your scrolling accuracy will improve.
In this video, I will demonstrate the mistake and show the technique to correct it. Most scrollers will naturally correct the mistake after a few hours of using the scroll saw. I hope that by showing this technique I can help you get past the frustration and start using the correct technique quicker.
$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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Ad: AffiliateKing Arthur's Tools 11303 Guinevere Detail System for Sanding & Polishing
I own the Guinevere sanding system and love it. It is not an inexpensive tool but it works fantastic. This system makes quick works of projects like today's goldfish sculpture.
The air filled drums make contouring a breeze.
This kit includes the polishing components that I don't have. I need to add those to my system
- Includes: Guinevere Sanding Motor Small Drum Sander - 1 1/4 x3/4 (32mm x 19mm) 4 Sm. Drum Sleeves (coarse to extra fine) Long Drum Sander - 3 1/4x 1 (83mm x 25mm)
- Swedish Organic Wax - 50ml Hand Pump Flexible Shaft Chuck, Allen Key Cleaning Stick
- 4 Long Sleeves (coarse to extra fine) Brush Sleeve for Small Drum Sander Brush Sleeve for Long Sander 2 Cloth Sleeves for Small Drum Sander 2 Cloth Sleeves for Long Sander
- Guinevere uses inflatable rubber sanders, flat and round, fitted either to a flexible shaft or the quiet 12 HP (300 watt) motor.
- This system easily eliminates your laborious hand sanding process, saving you countless hours of sanding while putting a beautiful, silky smooth finish on your masterpieces. You will actually enjoy this sanding experience.