My old Saw

[Graywolf]

My saw is an old Craftsman, that was given to me last year, so I have been learning how to Scroll Saw. My saw uses pinned blades. I read several posts about Sears has a conversion kit to change to pinless blades. Last month I bought a set. I have cut several projects and what a difference. I can now cut finer detail and inside corners are much better. I now want to try my first protrate. I am going to cut Steve's "Old Man and the Sea". I have never done this so any help I could get would be great.

Thanks

Gary

[dgman]

Hey Gary, Is this the one you are talking about?: http://www.stevedgood.com/seaman.pdf. It looks fairly easy. I would stack cut 3 or 4 layers of 1/8" Baltic birch plywood or 1/8" Oak plywood. You can also use two layers of 1/4" plywood. Use blue painters tape on the edges to make up the stack. Doing this will give you multiple portraits in case one is damaged, and as soon as someone sees it, they are going to want one too! But most importantly, You have better control of the workpiece.
This would be a good time to try spiral blades if you haven't tried them yet.
Sand the layers to finish grit before you make up the stack. I sand to 320 grit. Then when done cutting you only have to touch up the fuzzies with the final grit.
Have fun and ask for help if you need it!

[MOONIE]

I agree with Dan.  I just cut this... stacked 1/8 inch birch on walnut 1/4 inch.     I used 2/0R blade, easy cut.  I think I'll do this stack more often.   

[GrayBeard]

That should be an easy cut and I don't foresee you having any problems with the pattern.

I do have a question about the pattern itself...in the upper right corner the sun seems to be shining but the 'captain' is dressed in 'foul weather gear' and if that circle represents the moon, how come there are gulls flying around the mast?

Just curious!

~~~GB~~~

[Mainewoods]

That should be an easy cut and I don't foresee you having any problems with the pattern.

I do have a question about the pattern itself...in the upper right corner the sun seems to be shining but the 'captain' is dressed in 'foul weather gear' and if that circle represents the moon, how come there are gulls flying around the mast?

Just curious!

~~~GB~~~

The sun being out is not an indicator of the ocean conditions!  He might be protecting himself from the sea spray because of the rough seas.      Just sayin' 

[Crabbyboater]

Or from the gulls...lol!

[Graywolf]

Thanks for the advise guys.
DGman, I didn't think about stack cutting. I have done that berfore. I have Spiral blades I have never used. I will give them a try. I have read post that you pound down the ends of them a little so the fit the clamps.
I'll let you know how it turns out.

Gary

[Graywolf]

I now have the pattern cut out. I stack cut it, and it worked good. I used the spiral blades they worked pretty good until I started breaking them. I got about half way through the project when the blades broke. The spirals are really thin. I used Roybi and they are only .035" thick (think I will order some from Mike, get F D's). I shifted to Skip and reverse tooth and finished the project.

I am now ready for the backer board. I put the project in a black computer chair and it looks good. My question is what do I use for the backer? I have used 1/4" for backers before. Can I use poster board or felt or what would be best? I don't really want to paint a 1/4" ply for a backer.

Thanks for all the help. You guys are the best. I am glad I found this site.

[bettyswood]

1/8 inch Baltic Birch will make a nice backer board.  You could use acrylic too, blue would be nice.

[slowcutter]

I have one posted in the Gallery
I put a photo of an ocean wave for a backer.