Messages

196

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Re: bowls

« on: February 01, 2015, 01:22:13 pm »

If you want to learn to cut bowls.... Buy a book called "Wooden Bowls from the scroll saw" written by Carole Rothman. I got my copy from Fox Chapel Publishing and it costs $19.95. You may be able to find a copy at a local book store or order it on line or at least try the local library.
I guess that it is possible to cut a bowl that aligns correctly right off of the saw but, I've never done it!  There is always going to be a lot of sanding to be done.
It is a question of the thickness of the wood, the kerf of the saw blade and the correct angle to the dangle of the saw table. (or head tilt in some cases)
I have made about 12 or more bowls and quite a few vases and mugs and always get some off-set between segments but, it is not to worry, it can be sanded out. (the less sanding, the better of course but.....)
When you start to glue up the segments, don't try to align the edges, center them with as equal over hang all around and pay some attention to aligning the grain and press two segments at a time together until the glue dries. Then glue another segment (or set of segments) to the first set.
Be sure to sand the inside nice and smooth BEFORE gluing the bottom on then do the sanding on the out side after the bottom is on and the glue is dry.
Hope this helps some.

Rog

197

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Re: purple heart

« on: February 01, 2015, 12:57:25 pm »

BARB!!! Don't give up so easily! Just keep working with it, you can get there.
Just how thick is it? The sides on the "heart shaped" boxes are 2" thick cherry wood. No, it wasn't easy and yes, I got a lot of burning but, it sanded out and doesn't look too bad. Each box was one piece of cherry 2" x 7" square and I had to cut the heart shape three times on each one. The outer cut, the center cut between the top and bottom sections and the center cut out for the box. It took some time for each cut and I lost track of the number of blades used.
Then there was the purple heart  for the tops and bottoms for each box. (buy the way, I still have the center cutouts from all three boxes  )
Remember one of my favorite sayings...."Solving a big problem is just like eating an elephant...Do it one bite at a time."

Rog

198

Brag Forum / Re: Started Making Bowls

« on: February 01, 2015, 12:41:17 pm »

You are doing great on the bowls. I've made quit a few myself.
Now it is time to make a few vases. They are just two bowls glued face to face and leave the bottom out of one of them.



Rog

199

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Hanging my work

« on: January 31, 2015, 09:59:58 pm »

I made a cross and I want to hang it. Would the keyhole bit work on 1/2 inch plywood? Usually a picture hanger is attached with small nails. What do u use in place of nails?

Superglue.

Rog

200

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Re: purple heart

« on: January 31, 2015, 11:19:24 am »

How thick is the purple heart wood you are using?
I have cut purple heart wood about 1/4" thick but, I honestly don't remember what blade I used. I know that it is hard wood and hard on blades and dulls them quickly. It is also "splintery" and "oily" and burns easily if you use a dull blade and/or keep trying to push it too hard. (heat) 
If you plan on doing any gluing with purple heart you MUST wipe it down with acetone or paint thinner to dry the oil out just before gluing. You may even want to wipe the board down before trying to apply a pattern or tape to it.   
Also, don't get too excited about the beautiful color because after about a month it will start to get dull, brownish color.
My advice is to just try different blades, take your time and don't try to push or force it into the blade and keep a sharp eye on how sharp the blade is. Change blades often (about every 6" of cutting or so). 





Rog

201

The Coffee Shop / Re: Beer

« on: January 30, 2015, 12:01:35 pm »

THAT IS THE BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD IN A LOOOOONNNNGGGG TIME!
I don't think I've got a thing to worry about!

Believe it or not, years ago when I was just a pre teen, my Grandmother got a prescription from her doctor that recommended that she drink a beer a day for her health. I've never forgot that! 

Rog

202

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: When is scroll sawing considered a business?

« on: January 27, 2015, 12:33:02 pm »

If you are really concerned about it, I would check with a LOCAL CPA or tax lawyer.
As for me, I believe in KISS. I doubt that you are going to make enough money to call it a living wage selling scroll saw projects.
Unless you are out peddling product other than a flea market or craft show now and then, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are collecting sales tax on each sale and REPORTING it, or have a SEPARATE bank account for the business, then you may have a real concern. (paper trails are hard to shake)
I was in business for 20 years and had to jump through ALL of the hoops including paying both my half of SS (and being a one man business) I had to pay the employers half as well!
I had my phone number displayed on my tool truck and someone turned in that fact to the phone company and my home number became a BUSINESS number which of course is more expensive.
These days being a retired hobbyist I don't concern myself with all the hoops. Someone sees one of my projects and wants to buy it, I sell it at a reasonable price for CASH! (or personal check) No sales tax or business account for checks or credit cards. If someone wants me to make something special for them, I quote a price or ask the person to provide the materials and build it. (If  I'm so inclined)
Granted, I don't make much money other than pay for materials and maybe $5.00 an hour labor and go on down the road. I do have some business cards that I give people who ask for them but, that is the extent of any ADVERTIZING that I do. It is tough trying to get business and stay out of the limelight at the same time. 
Anytime you start making a lot of money or cutting in on someone else's business, you are subject to being reported to the IRS. I would think the if your making that much money or taking that much business away from others, you wouldn't mind jumping through all the hoops. 

Rog

203

Ask Steve a question. / Re: new scroll saw

« on: January 25, 2015, 11:50:20 am »

Ok. I assume there is a difference in quality depending on price and brand names. but otherwise just wondering.

Have you ever heard the expression "You get what you pay for."? In MOST cases that hold very true, some times things are over priced but for the most part, I hold firmly to that adage.
Another one of my favorites is "It is not the tool that makes the difference, it is the operator.". I've seen some very quality items come from  very "cheapie" saws with an experienced operator. Nothing makes as much difference as "experience" which comes from practice with the tools that you have.

Rog

204

Toy Makers / Re: Runner Duck

« on: January 25, 2015, 11:33:47 am »

If you want to drive the parents nuts for a week or so, drums and whistles are both tried and true items........




Speaking from personal experience....

Rog

205

Pattern Requests. / Re: Lady Liberty

« on: January 22, 2015, 04:43:36 pm »

This is one I cut about 100 years ago. Well maybe more like 15 or 16 years ago. 
It is really the first thing I ever really tried to make on a scroll saw. I cut it on my first scroll saw (Tradesman $100.00 saw) 
It was a pattern out of a scroll saw magazine. I cut it out of 3/4" plywood and then painted certain areas of some 1/4" ply for a backer.
It is now owned by a very old, close friend of mine and I still get a kick out of seeing it when I go to visit him.
Not to say anything bad about your pattern, I just thought you might get a kick out of seeing something similar and maybe look forward to looking back on some of your work someday. (That goes for everyone on this site.  )

Rog

206

Pattern Requests. / Re: You want it when laughing cartoon

« on: January 21, 2015, 11:24:36 am »

I saw one once that I really like. It is a bit wordy but carry's the message.

We do things three ways, GOOD, FAST and CHEAP.
If you want it FAST, it won't be GOOD or CHEAP.
If you want it CHEAP, it won't be GOOD or FAST.
If you want it GOOD, it won't be FAST or CHEAP.

Rog

207

The Coffee Shop / Re: Anyone need this info ??

« on: January 20, 2015, 11:43:59 am »

You don't use 220 grit sandpaper to clean your glasses? 
Just joking of course. I use some glasses cleaner that was given to me that has alcohol and wax in it I believe, and works good to keep lenses clean. However, I also use Rain-X which is the stuff to put on automobile windshields and I think it is all the same stuff. It prevents water spotting and makes for easy clean-up for overspray and other dirt and sawdust on glasses.

Rog

208

Pattern Requests. / Re: Whirlygig patterns?

« on: January 16, 2015, 04:19:33 pm »

I made a whirligig a few years ago....
No pattern, just an idea that I had. 






Just teasing.  I know that is not what you had in mind. 
I just can't help myself sometimes.
Yes, it is still standing. I made it in 2011. It was number two. The first one crashed so many times over the period of three years that it was beyond repair. I live in Kansas and we get some fairly strong breezes from time to time. 

Rog

P.S.  And then again sometimes we DON'T get any wind....Just ICE!




This was "Old Brezzy" number one and another reason it doesn't stand any longer. 

209

The Coffee Shop / Re: Rocket?? Launch

« on: January 10, 2015, 11:43:14 am »

Now I'm so dizzy that I can't walk!
Thanks anyway, that was very interesting and fun to watch. 

Rog

210

Ask Steve a question. / Re: Order of assembly

« on: January 05, 2015, 11:05:05 am »

I would glue before finishing. Glue doesn't like to stick to any finish. 
If you are getting "squeeze out" of the glue, you are using too much glue. You can get a blob or two by using a toothpick to remove it but, it is easier to just put a thin film on the back of the cutting and apply weight on top of the stack. There usually not enough abuse to scrolling that just a small amount of glue wont hold things together. Also spray glue just on the back of the cutting might do it if you give it two coats and let it set up until tacky before mounting it.
Actually, if it is not too bad of squeeze out, it probably won't be noticed by anyone but you anyway. Sometimes even the finish (if you are spraying a hard finish coat) will help seal the edges and make the two pieces want to stick together also.
If you are "soaking" it in an oil bath before a final finish, you will have another problem with glue sticking things together.

Rog