I decided to take on the challenge of breaking the world record for micro-fretwork. This grain of rice is approximately 6 millimeters long. I collaborated with Pegas Blades of Switzerland to have custom scroll saw blades manufactured. Pegas jumped at the challenge and made me a gross of #32/0 modified geometry blades. While they were at it they manufactured #300 micro drill bits. These roughly measure 1/100th of a millimeter. A special chuck was required and supplied. Thanks, Pegas.
Another big challenge was getting the pattern printed and attached to the grain of rice. After several attempts, I managed to get the pattern lined up and attached to the rice.
I was all ready to start my attempt at the record but had to wait for the blades to ship from Switzerland. They arrived on Wednesday. I was disappointed when I opened the package that the blades were not in the box. I called Pegas and was told to take a closer look. Yes, they were indeed in the package. They were so small that I needed a high power magnifier to see them. Wow.
I woke up early Thursday morning ready to break the record. I fueled up with a bowl of corn flakes and orange juice. Let's do this thing.
For proof of the world record, I started my video camera.
I started my first cut at 8:03am. Two hours later and 27 broken blades I had completed the tail fin. I was killing blades at an alarming rate. I had to focus and do better.
I took several deep breaths and slowed my heart rate. I managed to cut the scales over the next hour with only 7 broken blades. I got this.
Eight more hours of cutting with a few water breaks and I was down to my last interior cut. Murphy's law took over and I broke several blades. I was down to one blade. If it broke I would have to reorder more blades and that would take weeks. To break this world record today I would have to muster all my focus and concentration. I held my breath and started the last cut. I did it!
Exhausted from the tension I just sit there for several minutes admiring my work. I was happy and the world record was mine. All I had to do was remove the SD card from the camera and mail it to Guinness for verification.
As I stood to walk over to the camera I felt something in my pocket. The SD card!
The world record is still up for grabs after my SD card blunder. I have attached the fish pattern to this post so you can give it a shot. Contact Pegas for the #32/0 blades and micro drill bits. With shipping, the cost is a little over $8,000 for a gross of blades and 20 bits. I know that sounds expensive but I get my affiliate pay so I know you will want to help me out.
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Swift SW380B 40X-2500X Magnification, Siedentopf Head, Research-Grade Binocular Compound Lab Microscope with Wide-Field 10X and 25X Eyepieces, Mechanical Stage, Abbe Condenser, Ultra-Precise Focusing
- A sleek, multi-purpose compound microscope for viewing tiny details of specimen slides; built for clinicians, high school and university science students, and enthusiastic hobbyists alike
- Professional Siedentopf binocular head is fully rotatable for shared use and equipped with interchangeable wide-field 10X and 25X glass eyepieces fixed at an ergonomic 30 degree tilt to reduce neck strain, easily adjustable for different interpupillary distances without losing focus
- 4 DIN Achromatic objectives mounted in a revolving turret offer 6 magnification levels: 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X, 1000X, and 2500X
- Ultra-precise focusing system to make coarse and extremely fine adjustments
- The brilliant LED bulb transmits light through an Abbe condenser, illuminating slide specimens from below with adjustable brightness
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
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Products for your consideration:
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD
This DVD has over 2,600 patterns published from 2007 thru 2018.
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.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
Now Available on USB Thumb Drive
Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
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
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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