I was and am a fan of the television show American Chopper. I don't ride but I love to watch those guys design and fabricate the bikes. I was watching an episode online and decided to do a scroll saw motorcycle design for today's pattern.
I wanted a design that reminded me of the show but did not violate any trademarks. They are always building theme bikes. I decided on a rattlesnake theme and this is what came out. I kept it relatively simple by keeping the detail low.
I also added a blank version so you can add your own text.
If you enjoyed the show then you may like to check out their stream on Discovery GO. You have to have a cable subscription to log into the web page but almost all cable providers are accepted.
Beautiful Fretwork Project by John Fiorani:
John Fiorani, of the Carolina Scrollers sent me these photos of one of his latest projects. The wood is Box Elder. The pattern came from Pedro Lopez's Finescrollsaw web page. Pedro restores these patterns from old public domain patterns. They are restored using the latest computer software to bring them back to life. This pattern is a Chippendale pen holder.
John is a long time scroller and cut this pattern with great attention to detail. John says he likes to encourage scrollers to take on challenges to improve their skill on the saw. I agree with that completely. The fastest way to improve is to push your perceived limits. Thanks John.
There are not many designers still producing intricate victorian style fretwork like this any longer. As the 1900s moved forward, tastes changed and designs became less intricate in most cases. On top of that this type of fretwork is difficult to design.
The individual elements of this project as relatively simple to draw. I drew the pieces below in just a few minutes. These elements account for a large percentage of this design. That is the easy part. The challenge is putting these elements together in a unified and pleasing design.
I took the five elements that I drew and tried to put them together into a pleasing design. Maybe this could be used as a bottom skirt of a clock or a box. My design is not particularly strong but you can see basically how it is accomplished.
Now let's assume that this is just one panel of the clock. The other panels have to have some variation in elements and shapes to become a unified design from top to bottom.
So let's take these few elements and complete our clock. Notice I still used two of the same elements but I changed the shape of the top with a dome. It is still not a strong design but at least you can see why this form of art requires a very strong artistic eye for what works together and forms a completely unified and beautiful design.
I have a lot of respect for those designers who turned out these patterns.
$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 2007-2019 on DVD
This DVD has over 2,900 patterns published from 2007 thru 2019.
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 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 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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Bonus - Includes 3 Extra Filters - Metro DataVac Electric Duster - 500-Watt Motor - Model ED500P Computer - Electronics Duster- Made In The USA
This is one of those tools that I can no longer live without. I use it every time I am in my shop. It is a 110vac air blower. It is way more convenient than a compressor for just blowing dust. It is extremely powerful. I use it to remove dust from projects and to clean my clothes before I go back into the house. I also blow off my glasses lens.
It works great to blow excess oil finish off of projects and to speed dry the finish.
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