Jigsaw puzzles

[DHOYE]

I am wondering if after you cut jigsaw from a picture if it is normal to be able to see white aroung each piece or am I doing something wrong? The pieces really stand out and do not look like 1 whole picture.

[dgman]

Hey Dan, I'm not a puzzle maker, but it seams to me the issue is with the blades. You might want to use a smaller blade. I think you don't want to use a reverse tooth blade either. Mike at www.mikesworkshop.com has some blades designed for puzzle cutting.

[Judy Hunter]

Please don't take offense but the only reason I can think of is the the blade is upside down.  I think that because I just did it the other day.

[BilltheDiver]

I have personally cut jigsaw puzzles of photographs glued to baltic birch using a #2 or #3 reverse tooth blade without any white showing.  I would also expect a blade problem, either too large, or in upside down (much easier to do than it sounds).

[GrayBeard]

Oh, Oh...Judy is really getting back in the swing of things....

She put a blade in upside down!
She is definitely on the road to recovery....

A few days ago I put one in sdrawkcab....

I agree that is sounds like a blade situation and Blade Master Mike should be consulted!

~~~GB~~~

[dunk]

I do lots of jigsaw puzzles and you have gotten excellent suggestions.  Besides blade in upside down, what finish if any are you applying over the picture?  Try using a smaller blade like the superior puzzle blade from Mike which may take some getting used too, it is very small.

[Chachi]

I agree with Dunk puzzle blades are the best way to go the Puzzles that I have cut for the kids all I used was the puzzle blade (talk about a tight fit).
 It did take a little getting used to but after that I was on a roll so give them a shot.

[Leldon]

Maybe the blades aren't in upside down, but a reverse tooth blade was used and the reverse teeth came up to far?  It has happened to me! Not on a jigsaw puzzle, but on a regular fretwork pattern.

[Gabby]

Hey GB I did that once!
Felt foolish as heck too. LOL
Gabby

[wombatie]

I think we've all done it at sometime, yesterday I put one in back to front, took me awhile then the penny dropped and I just laughed and called myself all sorts of names.  LOL

Marg

[julief]

You might also try putting either a piece of baltic birch or a piece of cardstock on top of the photo.  It just helps protect it.  It will keep the photo from lifting on the edges.

[DHOYE]

Thanks for all the suggestions!! The blade is in right..I am using a blade that is .008 thick..I spray the pic with acrylic sealer and use a 1/8 thick piece of plywood over the pic. Does anyone have a pic of a puzzle they completed so i can compare mine and see if i am just too critical? Thanks again!!!

[cskipper]

I don't know if you ever got your answer.  Here is a puzzle of mine in the gallery for comparison:

http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=154

[Danny]

Well....Been cutting jigsaw puzzles for years and I just don't understand about seeing WHITE?  Hey Cskipper I think your puzzle is Cool.  Danny  :+}

[cskipper]

Thank you.  The only time I have ever had white show was when I was using a reverse-tooth blade on 1/4" BB ply.  The reverse teeth were just catching the edges.  I switched to regular puzzle blades and haven't had the problem since.
Cathy