Hardwood letter openers are easy to make and you can use up scraps of wood. These are also good inexpensive items that you can take to your craft shows. There are 12 patterns and a blank included.
You do want to use a nice hardwood for these letter openers. Many of the exotics look great but that will run the cost up if you plan to sell them. Domestics species like maple, walnut, and cherry will work well also.
You want to make the letter opener comfortable by easing over the hand grip.
The easiest way to sharpen the letter opener is with a drum sander. If you don't have a power sander then glue sandpaper to a flat board and sharpen the blade like you would a steel blade on a sharpening stone. With most hardwoods, you can get a reasonably sharp edge.
Seyco Summer Sale!
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Hey guys, I received an email from Ray over at Seyco today. They are having a summer sale on the Seyco ST-21 scroll saw. I reviewed this saw a couple of years ago. You can see my video review below. If you are looking to upgrade from an entry-level saw this would be a good time to take a look at the Seyco ST-21.
$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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Ad: AffiliateDEWALT DW734 15 Amp 12-1/2-Inch Single Speed Benchtop Planer
As scroller saw artists we often need thin boards. The fastest way to a thin board is with a thickness planer. Yes you would be more efficient if you had a large band saw also but this will get you started.
I am a fan of the DeWalt brand. I own the model just above this one and have used it regularly for a few years without issue. This planer is a little less expensive but gets high reviews.
- Three knife cutter-head with 10,000 RPM provides 96 cuts per inch, one of the finest finishes of any portable planer
- Disposible, reversible knives deliver 30 percent more knife life and make knife change fast and easy
- Four-column carriage lock drastically reduces the movement that causes snipe
- Extra-long infeed and outfeed tables provide 33-1/2 inches of material support
- Powerful 15.0 Amp, 20,000 RPM motor handles larger, deeper cuts in hardwoods.
- Three knife cutter-head with 10,000 RPM cutter head speed provides 96 cuts per inch, one of the finest finishes of any portable planer.
- Disposible, reversible knives deliver 30% more knife life and make knife change fast and easy.