I think we can all agree that 2020 has been an eventful year. I would go so far as to say "Stick a fork in it" because I am sick of this year.
I know that we should not wish our days away but I could do without the last few months. I normally like to follow the news. I read several news-feeds every day. Lately, I have had to just stop. I could feel the anxiety and sadness slipping in. Luckily I have plenty to do to keep myself busy. I consider my scroll saw work as a filter from the daily sad events.
I hope that all of you are finding ways to put the crummy news behind a filter. If you are reading this then you probably have a passion for making things and being creative. That is a wonderful gift we have.
This pattern is my way of adding a little humor to events that are not funny. Humor can sometimes put things in perspective without being disrespectful. Humor lets you take a breath and smile. It is tough to feel bad when you have a smile on your face. I think now, is a good time to smile.
This is totally optional for this pattern but I thought I would give it a try. Carving the fork back from the front of the wood gives it a nice shadow line and a sense of depth. I used my Marathon High-Speed Rotary Tool from Bear Woods(Affiliate Link) to do the small amount of carving I did on the fork.
If had a bit more time I would have liked to take it back further in the front and back. I'm not very skilled as a carver so I stopped while I was ahead. The rotary tool did make the work much easier. I only spent about ten minutes of carving. I would like to see the project fully carved.
If you wish to add a little depth then just freehand draw the outline of the first zero. Make a stop cut along the lines and carve away.
In this close up you can see that I just added a very slight relief. It was enough to add a shadow line but not much sense of depth.
There are so many good ideas out there:
In the last post, I wrote about my tip to remove glue squeeze-out from joints with folded paper. That tip generated several emails with tips of your own. This tip was sent to me several times so I wanted to share it with everyone. I just tested it and it works better than my paper trick.
Cut 45-degree angles in two-inch lengths of a plastic drinking straw. You get a new one every time you buy a soda fountain drink so just hang on to them.
The thickness of the folded paper easily got under the glue. The plastic straw is nearly as thin but it is also stronger and easier to use. If you cut a very sharp angle you can get into very tight spots. That is one place where the folded paper does not work very well.
Most of the folks who sent me this tip said they wipe the glue off the straw and reuse it several times. You can't do that with the folded paper but both are so inexpensive that it probably does not make much difference.
The little things in life seem to make me happy. This may not be earth-shattering but I will probably use this straw tip for the rest of my woodworking life. That's pretty cool. Thanks to everyone who shared.
$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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Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
for you scroll saw ready boards.
Seyco features the Seyco ST-21 scroll saw
Make sure you check out the Seyco Scrollers Drill
Make sure you check out the Seyco Scrollers Drill
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6mm 1/4" x 12" x 24" Premium Baltic Birch Plywood B/BB Grade, 6 Flat Sheets by Woodpeckers
I have purchased supplies from Woodpeckers many times. Their service is very reliable. This pack of Baltic birch plywood will be perfect for this year's personalized Christmas ornaments. You will probably be able to get 35 to 40 of the basic ornament from this pack. If you are selling the personalized ornaments for $10 that is $350 to $400 from this pack for the price of $37.
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