Messages

46

General Scroll Saw Talk / Finishing Compound Cut Items

« on: September 16, 2020, 06:23:22 pm »

How do you finish compound cut items?

I just cut the candelstick, and a couple of christmas ornaments.  Applying stain to the outside is easy enough, but what about the inside?  What do people here do - leave the inside as raw wood?  Dip the object into a bucket of stain?  Spray and hope the the spray coats the inside as well?

Thanks in advance!

47

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Magnifying lamp

« on: August 20, 2020, 08:27:51 am »

I looked at magnifying lights, and went with a head mounted magnifier.  Lets me focus easily, has two different magnifications, and lets me move the light to where ever needed independently.

48

Brag Forum / Re: Look Ma no shadow

« on: May 02, 2019, 06:47:26 pm »

Can you tell us a bit more about the lights?

Had a quick look at the Ikea website, and can't figure out which lights you got, or how they are mounted.

Thanks!

49

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Recent Activity on the Blog

« on: February 28, 2019, 11:21:51 am »

I check here frequently, but really don't feel any need to contribute if I have nothing to say.

Some forums are full of people who love to hear themselves talk.  They do a great job of making the forum appear busy, until you realize they don't say anything worth listening to.

It is very nice to be in a place where that does not happen.

50

General Scroll Saw Talk / Gluing to Painted Backer Boards

« on: January 27, 2019, 10:32:30 am »

A new pattern for Valentine's Day was recently posted by Steve.  I am referring to:
http://www.stevedgood.com/2019roses.pdf

This is similar to many others, where a pattern is attached to a painted backer board.

A question about this - how do you secure the pattern to the backer board?

For one thing, I understand that glue does not hold well on a painted surface.  I have not tried doing this, since everything I have read says that it is not a good idea.

For a second thing, if you are using glue on such narrow pieces, how do you avoid squeeze out?  Any squeeze out would have to be a nightmare to clean up, given the narrow spaces, and the painted background would make the glue that much more visible.

Thanks in advance!

51

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Steve's email today about selling

« on: January 27, 2019, 10:28:40 am »

no problem with questions...anytime.

Thanks!  Much appreciated.

52

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Steve's email today about selling

« on: January 26, 2019, 07:53:06 am »

We mostly use Baltic Birch.

Judy:

I don't mean to ask you to give up any of your trade secrets, but I am curious - how do you finish the BB?

Thanks!

53

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: What do you seal pine with?

« on: January 04, 2019, 11:43:01 am »

I use Zinzer Seal Coat,  I cut 50% with denatured alcohol.  ( I get at Rockler in USA as the Seal Coat in Canada is not dewaxed).

Don:

Two questions:

1> any swelling of the wood, that would effect a puzzle?

2> how do you get it into Canada?  Do they ship to Canada, or do you pick it up when in the US?

Thanks!

54

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Pattern removal cost

« on: November 26, 2018, 09:18:18 am »

The cheapie peel and stick from Walmart sells here for $8.00 (for clear) and 4.00 for the white,....

Yet another example of things that cost more in Canada....   

55

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Wood for Christmas Ornaments

« on: November 19, 2018, 02:19:01 pm »

Where is peacock woods? is it in Oakville as well?

Peacock Lumber

http://www.peacocklumber.ca/

328 Ritson Road North
Oshawa, Ontario L1G 5P8

56

Ask Steve a question. / Re: I am looking to buy new scroll saw

« on: November 13, 2018, 11:36:24 am »

The link appears to show a rebranded Excalibur scroll saw.

Excalibur is one of the best, and one of the most expensive, scroll saws on the market.

Besides the very high quality of the unit, it has one unique feature - rather than tilting the table for angle cuts, the table remains level and the blade tilts.

Just noticed that the unit sold at Axminister has the Pegas clamps.  I am surprised - there is nothing wrong with the units provided with the unit when new.  It seems unusual that a brand new saw would have Pegas clamps fitted.  Is there any chance this is a refurbished saw?

I have worked on the Dewalt scroll saw, and I started with a Mastercraft saw.  The Excalibur is head and shoulders above both in every way.

I purchased a used Excalibur EX-21 earlier this year.  Saved about 50% off the print of a new one.  If cost is a factor, this may be an option for you.  I am in Canada - no idea if the market in your corner of the world would be the same.  Parts are available from the US for Excalibur scroll saw, so it is not a risky purchase.

The Excalibur line is gone.  Originally designed and built in Canada, the second version was built in the far east.  The line has been purchased by King Canada, and is now marketed as Excelsior in Canada and King in the USA.

57

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Wobbly blade clamp

« on: November 07, 2018, 09:46:08 am »

Well, despite Canada Post job actions I got my clamps yesterday!!  .  Got them installed last night and got some cutting done!!!!  Thanks to all who help with my silly questions.

Barb - did they make a difference?

The only silly questions are the ones not asked....

58

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Wood for Christmas Ornaments

« on: October 26, 2018, 05:17:01 pm »

Just did an experiment with one Christmas ornament.

I stack cut four - three with 1/8" plywood, and one with 1/4" plywood, all Baltic Birch.  I then painted two, and put some Tried & True finish on a third.

Here are my observations:
1> 1/8" is much nicer than 1/4".  The 1/4" in this case is just too chunky
2> These are from a set of Christmas ornaments from Steve.  The default size is larger than we like.  We are going to reduce the size via photocopying the pattern and try again.  The one pattern I used produced an ornmanet that is 4 7/8" tall
3> The painted ones are not as nice as I had hoped.  The paint - one was a Christmas green, the other silver/chrome - just don't improve the ornments
4> The Tried & True finish did not do much of anything for the plywood.  I think I will try some spray shellac next
5> Cutting the round part, around the hole for a wire, is tricky.  That needs a lot of practice.

Does this match the results from others here?

My questions for others here:
- how do you finish your ornaments?  Do you paint?
- do you find the sizes of ornament patterns a bit on the large size?

Thanks in advance!

59

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Wood for Christmas Ornaments

« on: October 13, 2018, 09:36:48 am »

Once again, something new is learned here!  Much appreciated.

I have found a few sources for 1/16" baltic birch in Canada.  Some are very expensive, and others are just expensive.

Michaels Canada does not list it on their website.

Suppliers like Exotic Woods Oakville and Peacock do not list anything under 1/8".

60

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Wood for Christmas Ornaments

« on: October 12, 2018, 10:58:27 am »

What, wait - Baltic Birch is available in 1/16"?

Up here, I think the thinnest is 1/8".

Just checked the Exotic Woods of Oakville website, and the thinnest they list is 3 ply 1/8".

How do you get 1/16"?  How can you have less than 3 plies???