This layered Christmas Cross is 10.5 inches tall. It is cut from three layers of 1/4" thick Baltic birch plywood. I was able to cut this from two 12" X 12" sheets with a little leftover. That makes the cost of materials around $4. It took me just under one hour to cut. You could easily stack cut two or three of these to speed up production. Inexpensive and quick.
I also included the pattern at 50% the size of the one above. It is 5.25" tall and cut from 1/8" BB ply. It is small enough to use as a tree ornament or a layered cross.
Do you want to get serious? I also included a version of the cross that is 2 5/8" tall. You will need a micro drill bit to drill the entry holes and probably a #2/0 blade but it should be fun to cut.
As another option, you can just eliminate the backer boards and cut the cross from 3/4" thick nice hardwood for a different look.
DeWalt DW788 still marked down on Amazon:
Currently $399. Affiliate Link
To my surprise, Amazon still has the DeWalt DW788 marked down to $399. That price does not include the stand but the stand is marked down also. This is almost a week that it has been this price. That is longer than they normally let this price stand.
If you are using an entry-level scroll saw you may ask why would you spend this much on a better saw. What do you get?
Most entry-level scroll saws can do anything the DeWalt can do. They just can't give you the same ease of use and reliability as the more expensive saws.
Will buying a better saw make you a better craftsman. It might. If the saw you are using has too much vibration or is too difficult to use then the upgrade will improve your projects if you take advantage of the better saw. The more expensive saw will not necessarily correct bad habits but it can make the bad habit easier to change.
For me, the number one feature that you get on a better saw is ease of blade change. When you are cutting patterns with many interior cuts the ease of getting the blade from hole to hole is a big deal. The DeWalt and the Delta are the least expensive saws that have easy blade change.
The improved reliability of the more expensive saws is obviously important. The problem is that these are machines. Machines break. It is possible that you use an entry-level saw for years with no breakdowns. It is possible that you buy a DeWalt and it breaks in a year. That's possible much much less likely than the other way around.
Entry-level saws are almost never repaired. 95% of them just get scrapped when they break. Unless it breaks under warranty it is just not worth the cost of repair for most breakdowns. To be fair there are many DeWalt saws that don't get repaired either but the percentage is much lower. There are multiple sources online for buying parts. There are also DeWalt service centers to do repairs if needed. If you need a service center and your saw is out of warranty then it will be a tough call if it is worth the price of repair. Service center costs are not cheap. You will do self-repair most of the time so parts availability is important.
Other advantages with the more expensive saws are upfront controls. Larger tables, and better quality control of initial setups. Some entry-level saws will come out of the box misadjusted from the factory. This is not always possible to correct. That can happen on the DeWalt also but is less likely.
Does all of this mean you cannot enjoy the hobby if you own an entry-level saw? Not at all. There are thousands of scrollers out there cutting great projects on even the least expensive saws. Is the hobby more enjoyable with a better saw? That depends on you but most people would say yes.
Currently $69.99
Personalized Christmas Ornament Patterns:
I am still making good progress on ornament patterns. I should be able to get caught up today. If you have orders in the queue, keep your eye on your email inbox.
The price is $1 per name with a 5 name minimum. I keep the price as low as possible
because I want everyone to have a chance to make these ornaments for family and friends.
You only pay after you have received the order and are
100% satisfied with the patterns. Invoice included with
the pattern email. Pay by credit card(secure Paypal), check, or cash.
The patterns will be emailed to you after they are completed.
Please allow up to a week for delivery.
You can use last names on the ornaments if you like but remember that the more letters the more
difficult they are to cut. Ten letters and up gets pretty small. If you need to you can enlarge the patterns by 10% to make the interior cuts larger. No special characters are supported. I can get a hyphen in there but it looks odd. It has to connect the two letters so it does not just fall out.
$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 in 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 in an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
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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