Messages

406

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Re: dip coating with shellac - the easy finish

« on: July 22, 2012, 09:30:15 am »

I have never used shellac but it sounds like a good idea.  I like to keep my mineral oil in a pan, covered, so I can dip quickly and easily.  Could shellac be kept in a covered pan for weeks between dipping, or would the solvent evaporate?

It is difficult to spray into the smaller nooks and crannies so dipping the final finish would be easier, and the compressed air could be used to clear excess finish from the small spaces .

I think I know the answer but I've been wrong before.   

Thanks,
Jim

407

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: blades

« on: July 22, 2012, 09:16:56 am »

Dale2006, you might be able to use both types of blades.  Olson blades with pins might be OK for larger cutting, and would be easier to change.  You could use the pinless blades only when the pinned are too large to fit the cut.

Jim

408

Computer questions / Re: browser/computer will not bring up a HTLM when I click on it

« on: July 20, 2012, 01:30:23 pm »

rust243, if you are using the computer you are asking about, you must be able to get to some sites as you were able to post here.  If that is the case, it might be a security setting that prevents you from going to certain sites.

For example, I understand Internet Explorer uses Activex to display some pages and perhaps your settings have been changed to prevent Activex from running.

Just a possibility.  

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Jim

409

Pattern Requests. / Re: My FIRST Pattern.

« on: July 19, 2012, 08:22:37 am »

Great pattern, Mahendra.  The only suggestion I would make is to "flatten" the bottom of the word "whiskers".  If the lowest part of the "W", "R", and "S" were on the same level, it would be easier to attach it to the base.

For a hanging pattern, it is just fine as it is.

You have made a great pattern for your first try so keep at it. 

Jim

410

Ask Steve a question. / Copyright question

« on: July 18, 2012, 12:21:28 pm »

Not sure if this is the best place to post this.  It follows from Steve's concern about infringing on copyright.

I downloaded a jpg of a farm tractor from the Internet.  It was not stated to be royalty-free so I presume it is copyrighted.  I took the image and made a line drawing for a scroll saw pattern.  In my pattern, there are no identifiers such as a name or model number and I doubt that even the manufacturer could could state that the tractor was "his".

I know (or at least am pretty sure) that I can make a cutting from the pattern for my own use but would it be OK to post this pattern to the web site, without identifying the tractor make or model?  

Thanks,
Jim

411

Pattern Requests. / Re: Drum set pattern

« on: July 18, 2012, 11:33:13 am »

The cymbals, especially the large one, looks rather flimsy.  Do you think this could be cut as a free-standing puzzle, say out of 1/2 to 3/4" thick wood, or should it be made with a thinner wood and a solid backer?

GB, thanks for the comments.  I have corrected the floaters at the cymbals, don't think there were any others.  How does it look now?

Jim

412

Pattern Requests. / Re: Drum set pattern

« on: July 17, 2012, 11:01:10 pm »

My first pattern and I would appreciate comments on how it could be improved. 

It requires drilling some holes to start inside lines so I've ordered small bits and a chuck from FDMike.

Thanks for your comments,
Jim

413

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Sanding Mop

« on: July 17, 2012, 10:54:14 pm »

Judy,  I made my own from a roll of cloth backed sandpaper, a bolt and nut, and a bunch of washers.  I'm cheap.

There are instructions at http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.ca/2008/12/make-your-own-sanding-mop-on-cheap.html  He used a mandrel instead of a bolt.

Jim

414

Pattern Requests. / Re: Drum set pattern

« on: July 16, 2012, 09:05:41 am »

Great idea, Keefie, but I just bought a planer and SWMBO would have a fit if I bought another tool.  I'll have to put it on the birthday/Christmas list.

Jim

415

Pattern Requests. / Re: Drum set pattern

« on: July 15, 2012, 10:30:51 pm »

Thanks for the reminder, Keefie.  I think I'm going to have to buy some number drills and a chuck to hold them.  One of my hand drills will handle a 3/64" bit but I need the drill press to keep it vertical, especially for small cut-outs.

Jim

416

Pattern Requests. / Re: Drum set pattern

« on: July 14, 2012, 12:01:03 pm »

I tried to make a pattern for the drum set using Gimp and Inkscape. Here is the result, so far, for a free standing pattern.  The red arrows are where I drilled holes to start the inside cuts.

I am having a problem with the inside cuts that don't go to the outside of the pattern.  My smallest drill bit is 3/64" but even that is significantly wider than a #7 blade so the hole is quite obvious.  I've tried tapering from the width of the hole to the thickness of the kerf but it's a hassle and easy to mess up.

How would you deal with the hole problem?  I have thought about finding really thick blades - perhaps banging the pins out of a pin end blade.

Is there something I missed in making the pattern that would solve the inside cut problem?

Thanks for your comments,
Jim

417

Pattern Requests. / Drum set pattern

« on: July 11, 2012, 10:32:16 pm »

I want to do a drum set project for a friend and found the the attached on a royalty-free site.  I could either make it a free-standing project or one that is glued to a background, which ever is easier.

I hope this is understandable, it's my first pattern request.

Thanks in advance.
Jim

418

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: help scroll saw machine

« on: July 11, 2012, 09:16:43 am »

jlatorre was asking about the 40-540, not the 40-690.  They are quite different. 

jlatorre, before you buy a saw, try to actually cut wood with it.  All saws vibrate a little, but make sure it doesn't vibrate too much.  Also try changing blades, it is easier if you don't need a wrench.  Most people like blades without the pins at the end, they fit into smaller holes.

There are some comments on the 40-540 on this site - search for 40-540. 

Best of luck and let us know what you buy.
Jim

419

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Re: How would you cut out the letters?

« on: July 07, 2012, 10:19:53 pm »

daliclimbs, in general, bridges would be the solution.  In this case, I took the words and letter shapes from the flooring company's web site so I didn't want to add bridges.

The company was pleased with my work so I'm thinking of offering to make more but I don't want to go through the hassles of the first one.

Thanks,
Jim

420

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: How to get pattern on wood....

« on: July 07, 2012, 12:49:32 pm »

Jim, many people print the pattern on regular paper.  First the wood is sanded well, then blue painter's tape is stuck to the wood.  The back of the pattern is sprayed with something like 3M #77 spray glue and then it is placed onto the blue tape.  On top of all this is placed a layer of clear packing tape which lubricates the blade and reduces burning of the wood.

When you have finished cutting, the blue tape peels off quite easily.

That's the condensed version.  If you do a search in the forum for adhering patterns, attaching patterns, etc., you will see there are a number of ways to get the pattern onto the work piece.  I generally use this method but for smaller patterns I'm starting to use a glue stick instead of the spray glue.

Best of luck,
Jim