First Attempt....... And another now added!

[WoodAddict]

I finally got to have a practice this afternoon. I've still not got my bench made yet so I was sat on the floor, not very comfortable but I just wanted to make some sawdust.

I made a pattern last week of a bedroom door plaque for my niece. Her name is Lois and she loves Dog's!

I used a bit of 6mm MDF. It's a bit rough around the edges, I won't be sanding or doing anything with this one as it's just a practice piece. I need to get a table and a chair sorted next and then maybe a foot peddle. Good fun though and a nice way to spend an hour in the garage.

 

[stevebuk]

that looks really good for your first attempt, and i like the pattern too, well done.

 

[Woodchips2]

Hi Paul

Looks good and a nice pattern you've created. I use a scrollsaw on MDF for making patterns for routing but always wear a dustmask. The first time I used a scrollsaw on MDF (about 20 years ago) I didn't use a mask and had breathing problems for a couple of days after. I then read how bad MDF dust was for your health!

Regards Keith

 

[WoodAddict]

Thanks guys,

Thanks for the heads-up keith. I've heard how bad MDF can be, I think I'm right in saying that a certain strain of MDF was banned not too many years ago beacause of one of it's "ingredients".

I'd always wear a mask whilst scrolling, just incase!
Thanks

 

[big soft moose]

its an urban myth - all dust is bad for you , but mdf dust isnt any worse for you per se than other wood dusts. (HSE finding 2007 - gill put the link up ages ago)

the only thing is cutting mdf makes more fine (sub 1 micron) dust than average, and therefore if you work without a mask you will wind up breathing in a load of crap (but this also goes for numerous other timbers , some of which such as yew, iroko, and greenheart are much worse for you)

there is an issue with formaldehyde in the mdf - but that isnt related to dust - its to do with the chemicals being liberated into the room from mdf furniture ( particularly in childrens rooms as there are some tentative links to cot death) - however the best way to counteract that possibility is to have some peace lilys and bromilades arround as these scavenge such chemicals from the air for nutrition.

 

[Roy Clarke]

Thanks for that information about the plants big soft moose, very useful.

 

[WoodAddict]

I had another go tonight. This time I used birch ply (I think ) :?

A dinosaur door plaque for my friends' son.

I found the ply a lot easier to cut than the mdf. I also used a spray adhesive this time which made it easier to see the lines more clearly.

Thanks

 

[The Weegie]

They are excellent. Well done.

If you don't mind me asking. How did you make the patterns. Was it a computer software package.

 

[WoodAddict]

Thanks for the comment

For simple patterns like these I just find free clipart online and use the basic microsoft "paint" programme to add the lettering and frames. You can do enough with paint to make some nice stuff. For more detailed stuff like portraits I use a free programme called GIMP.

 

[Mouse]

Looking good Paul.