Mother's Day is just a few days away. Maybe it's about time that the kids acknowledged that mom was right all along. About everything! :)
This word art pattern is 10" long and 3.25" tall. I cut it from 3/4" thick mahogany but these word art patterns look fine cut from any material.
"What blade do you recommend for this pattern?"
I get this question almost every week. I am often asked to list the blade recommended with the pattern. I have always been a minimalist when it comes to scroll saw blades. I use a #3 and #5 reverse tooth blade for 95% of everything I cut. I have just about every type of blade made but most of them sit in their tubes never touched.
There are so many different types of scroll saw blades that it is confusing for new scrollers. If you are just getting started and plan to cut the type of patterns you see here on my blog then just buy some good quality #3 and #5, maybe throw in a few #7 for very thick or dense wood and you are good to go. There are a few patterns in my catalog where you may need a #1 or smaller blade but they are rare.
As you gain experience and want to move on to cutting other materials like plastic or metal then you can try those specialty blades.
If you enjoy the Portrait style of scroll saw patterns then pick up some spiral blades.
Brother Monochrome printer: Cost per print.
I had an email question today asking about printing scroll saw patterns. The question was from a full-time scroll saw cutter. He prints a lot of patterns. He is getting inventory ready for some shows and is looking at every possible cost savings possible. Saving money is even better than making money. If you have ever run a business you know that managing cost is vital to staying in business.
It made me think that others may be interested also so here is what I have. I probably print more than average but I do not print as much as the guy who was asking the questions.
I have two printers. One is a full-color Epson inkjet printer. The other is a monochrome laser printer. I use the monochrome laser printer for printing my patterns. I will often print the pattern a few times looking for errors before I print the final pattern for cutting. Doing this on an inkjet printer is more expensive and I don't need color for patterns. Actually, I don't need color for 95% of what I print. When I need photos printed I take them to a photo processor. It's cheaper and easier. I may turn on my color inkjet printer once a month.
I print all my business invoices and receipts on the monochrome printer.
The cartridge for the monochrome laser printer runs around $75 but it lasts me close to a year before I need to buy another one(~3,000 prints). It runs around 2 to 3 cents per page. If you use an inkjet printer and only use the black the cost is around 7 to 8 cents per page. If you add color the price goes up quickly.
This won't be true for all printers but I prefer the line quality of my Brother monochrome printer over my Epson inkjet printer. The line is darker and sharper. I know that some of you convert your patterns to redline because you feel the lines are easier to see. Obviously, that needs a color printer.
If you only print the occasional scroll saw pattern then the cost savings don't amount to very much. If you look closely you may realize that most of what you print really does not need to have color. In that case, then the cost savings may add up. The problem with only having a monochrome printer is that every once in a while you need color. The good news is that the printers are cheap. The Brother Laser printer above is only $99. They get you with the supplies. I worked for Xerox for 37 years and saw expensive machines reduces to crap because the customer used off brand supplies. You can find huge savings with no-name ink cartridges but you really have to do your homework to find quality ink. Even if you find an off brand that works great one time it may be terrible the next time you buy one. Buyer beware.
There is also the option of a color laser printer. The cost of prints is a little less than a color inkjet printer but the initial cost of the printer is higher. Another negative for the color laser printer is the quality of full-color prints. Inkjet printers in a similar price range will print higher quality photos than a color laser printer(opinion). If you print your own photos then stick with the color inkjet printer.
Okay, that was about as boring as it gets but maybe it will help someone looking for a printer.
$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:
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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Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
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