Phoenix Police

[woodyd]

Working on this project. Any suggestions to reduce the cutting for the many, many windows and the many, many lines.

Outline of the building?

Every other line?

Thanks

[Gabby]

Is what you are doing going to be a comemoration that you will donate to PPD, or is it something you are going to make more than one of sort of assembly line fashion?
The larger you make it the more detail should be included if possible, and the opposite would hold true if making it small.
Your own suggestions could do the trick the building outline would suggest the building and the rays radiating out you could probably get away with eliminating every other one.
There is a lot of detail to deal with.
Just my nickles worth.
Gabby

[julief]

Instead of cutting the windows - try a woodburning tool.

[woodyd]

It's to be a plaque like this.

[Gabby]

It's to be a plaque like this.

OK but you haven't said how big it is.
8 1/2 by 11 or bigger??
That size you could cut the windows and other detail or even burn them in as suggested but make sure you know how to use a wood burning iron before tackling your project with it and try it on the intended wood, every wood has it's own character.
To answer your question simplest. Go with what you are comfortable doing but you can always challenge yourself on something less important.
Another nickles worth,
Gabby

[woodyd]

This is STILL a work in PROGRESS.

Any suggestions to reduce cutting?

Finished plaque about 8" x 10"

Thanks

[Gabby]

woody
you need to magnify your pattern way up high and look at the details. I just looked at it at 400% and can identify a lot of floaters you are going to have a nightmare with getting all those pieces positioned right on a backer board.
You need to incorporate bridges that will tie it all together.
If you have an editing program that will allow you to zoom in close you can see where they are needed and add them yourself. I like Paint.NET for doing simple editing and it's easy to use.
I don't see an easy fix to reduce the cutting required without losing a lot of detail.
You have picked a difficult project. Sorry I cant be more helpful.
Gabby

[woodyd]

here is a test cut I did. Would have to make some slight changes in a final cut. Lettering around the LOWER bird was TOO small to cut. Will have to reduce the size of the bird to get more room for the letters. This was cut with plain wood however the final cut would be cut from 1/2" red oak.

[Rapid Roger]

I would be careful about using red oak on this cutting. It tends to splinter and crack and break anyway and with this detailed of a cutting it could be a problem.
I don't mean to discourage you but, you might consider another tighter grained wood like cherry, maple or walnut for it.
When making a cutting with this fine of detail almost any solid wood is very difficult to use. That is why most folks use baltic birch plywood and stain it if necessary for color.
I would hate for you to get halfway finished and have a big chunk break out on you it can be very discouraging.
Good luck. You have done a fine job on the practice piece.

Rog

[Gabby]

I would be careful about using red oak on this cutting. It tends to splinter and crack and break anyway and with this detailed of a cutting it could be a problem.
I don't mean to discourage you but, you might consider another tighter grained wood like cherry, maple or walnut for it.
When making a cutting with this fine of detail almost any solid wood is very difficult to use. That is why most folks use baltic birch plywood and stain it if necessary for color.
I would hate for you to get halfway finished and have a big chunk break out on you it can be very discouraging.
Good luck. You have done a fine job on the practice piece.

Rog

I agree 100%, beautiful cut as is, I couldn't see anything wrong with it. but I've had a slurp. LOL
If you see or feel a piece trying to break away put some clear packing tape over it to help hold it in place, then you may be able to glue it to the backer board before stripping the tape. You may want to hit it with a heat gun if you have one to make the tape release so you won't break out pieces pulling on the tape.
Beautiful job so far. 
Gabby