This project should make a great Christmas stocking stuffer. Every lady needs a mirror in their purse. Guys, I bet if you make one of these you are going to be asked to make more.
You will need 1/8" and 1/4" thick wood for this project. I know that can be difficult to come by. You could easily substitute Baltic birch plywood if that is easier to find.
The decoration on the mirror case can easily be changed in Inkscape. One option would be to add the initials of the person receiving the mirror. Just find a stencil font and position in centers over the mirror.
There are a couple of challenges with this project. The first challenge is cutting the Acrylic Mirror round and clean. There is instruction in the pattern showing the easiest technique for getting a clean cut on the plastic. You can cut it with your scroll saw.
This is a 12" X 12" sheet. Several mirrors can be made from one sheet.
The second challenge is getting everything glued up with a nice sliding fit for the mirror. After you glue the pieces together test fit the slide. If it is tight, sand the back of the mirror holder until it slides in nicely.
You can't easily adjust the roundness of the mirror after it is cut so you need to be accurate. If you try to substitute a pre-cut 2.5" mirror, just make sure it is not thicker than 1/8".
The upper right of this picture shows the 12" X 12" acrylic mirror. The finish of this mirror is nearly identical to a glass mirror.
Selecting a scroll saw blade for a project:
I have written about this before but new scrollers come along every week so I want to touch on it again.
One very common email I receive(Twice this week alone) is, "Why don't you include the type of blade you used in the pattern?"
I intentionally don't recommend a blade for most projects because it is really not necessary. I am a minimalist when it comes to scroll saw blades. I cut 95% of every project with either a #3 scroll reverse or a #5 scroll reverse blade.
I have just about every type and brand of scroll saw blades in my shop and the majority of them never get touched. There are special projects that do require a specialty blade. Cutting metal or plastic needs the correct blade. When I cut jigsaw puzzles I need a specialty blade or a small blade.
I will occasionally use a spiral blade for a large portrait style pattern. On rare ocasions, I will need to cut very thick and dense wood so I may use a #7. I normally just avoid very dense wood.
These exceptions happen but not that often for the types of project I design. If you regularly cut specialty projects you may need other choices than me.
If you download one of my patterns and I do not mention a blade choice then you can assume I used either a #3 or #5 scroll reverse.
I won't go into detail here but let me say this. I don't choose the blade based on how efficient or fast it will cut the wood. I select the blade based on the pattern. Charts that show a list of blades and what thickness of wood they are good for, is nearly useless to me. I don't care that a #9 blade will cut thick wood faster and more efficient if it won't cut the pattern I am using. I need to be able to make the turns and get into small internal cuts.
I have rarely ever heard anyone mention this in books. They all seem to go by the charts. That just has never worked for me.
$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.
My Sponsors:
Support the businesses who support our community.
Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
Ad: Affiliate12 x 12 Acrylic Mirror Sheet by Laser Creations
These acrylic mirrors are great for scroll saw projects. The cut cleanly with a scroll saw using the sandwich method. Just stack the mirror between two sheets of 1/8" thick BB ply. Wrap in blue painters tape and apply the pattern. The mirror finish looks nearly as good as a glass mirror.
- acrylic/mylar
- Made in USA
- Acrylic mirrored sheet with mylar backing
- Great for laser engraving.
- Comes with a protective film for perfect quality. The back of our mirror is a mirrored film that protects it better than paint and perfect for any type of glue. Makes cutout pieces looked finished not 'painted'. This laminated film makes the mirror stronger and better protected.