It Didn't Come Out As Expected...

[Gill]

I've designed a scroll saw pattern that's rather detailed. Before committing myself, I thought I'd just cut its silhouette with a few letters to make sure that at least the outline of the plan was workable. So I set to work on some construction grade plywood and pine.

After cutting, I thought the wood was too light so I darkened it with some Chestnut 'Tudor Oak' water based stain. This turned out to be a mistake because it raised the grain and all the cut fibres. I found that distracting, so I set to with a file and some sandpaper, then gave it a light spray with some metallic green paint.

Although it was never my intention to post this pilot piece, I've decided to show it off; after all, I (inadvertantly :roll: ) went to a lot of trouble. Although it's a very simple pattern to cut, it represents many hours of hard work in design for another project. At least I feel ready to move on to the next stage now.

Gill

 

[Bean]

Looks good Gill, best of luck with the actual piece

 

[Alf]

Gill, that's extremely effective - nice one. =D> Suggest you send it off to the "Strictly" dancer of your choice and maybe get a one-to-one lesson... :wink:

Cheers, Alf

 

[Paul Chapman]

That looks lovely, Gill =D>

Cheers,

Paul

 

[PowerTool]

Nice work,Gill - very effective design

Andrew

 

[Gill]

Gill, that's extremely effective - nice one. =D> Suggest you send it off to the "Strictly" dancer of your choice and maybe get a one-to-one lesson... :wink:

Cheers, Alf

Ooooh, now there's an idea :idea: .

Vincent Simone's going to have a bit of time on his hands now that Louisa's been voted out - and I do love the Argentinian tango.

'Strictly' should be good next week because they'll be dancing the Argentinian tango. The need to remain flat-footed throughout will suit Mark Ramprakash, judging by his jive on Saturday.

Gill

 

[Waka]

Nice one Gill, do tell, what's the final piece going to be?

 

[Adam]

Ever thought of selling those? I reckon you could generate a nice little business selling such items instead of "trophies".

Adam

 

[Gill]

Waka - The photo that inspired the project is here. I wish I could incorporate all the detail from the photograph because I think it's a delightful representation of what latin american dance is about. Unfortunately, woodwork has its limitations...

So I've isolated the main colour blocks and I'm going to cut them out as MDF segments. Then I shall paint them individually and reassemble them to make a wall plaque. At this stage, I don't intend to incorporate the 'dance' message but I may change my mind as the project develops . It won't be possible to recreate the picture perfectly so I've moved certain details (such as the woman's left hand) and even re-drawn several aspects.

Adam - 'Sfunny you should mention that. I posted the picture on a dance forum and it was received very favorably. Chas has commented before on my liking for dance projects and I do seem to have produced quite a number of patterns for the scroll saw on that theme. I have thought about publishing them and I'm in discussion with someone in Canada right now about a collaborative venture.

His Lordship reckons I should stack cut loads of similar designs and sell them as bare blanks on a craft stall!

Gill

 

[Waka]

Gill

The pattern still looks very good even if you have made a few changes. I've never tried that there scroll sawing, maybe one day I'll invest.

I agree about making the patterns and selling them, could be a lot of people out there that would pay good money. Hope you persue.

 

[dedee]

Gill nice idea, I expect that the paint efect looks better "live" with light reflecting of the metallic paint than it does in a still photo.

Looking forward to seeing the intended piece.

Andy

 

[Gill]

This is how it ended up. Cut from a bit of MDF with a #3 FD-SR blade and then painted. Yet again, my rotten photography has failed to capture it the way it actually looks.

 

[Paul Chapman]

That's lovely, Gill =D>

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Waka]

Gill

Absolutely supurb.

 

[Alf]

Brucie: Craig?
Miserable one: 10!
Brucie: Arlene?
Mad one: 10!
Brucie: Len?
The nice one: 11!
Brucie: Bruno?
Over-excited one: Amazing! Marvellous! 10!
Brucie: You're my favourites



Cheers, Alf

 

[dedee]

Gill,
I think it looks excellant.

There are a number of threads around here on photography techniques. One tip I picked up was to use a tripod and no flash, this helps to remove the shadow caused by the flash.

Andy

 

[Taffy Turner]

Gill,

Bravo - very nice indeed!

Coincidentally, my beloved is dragging me screaming and kicking to Ballroom and Latin dance classes - first one is on Thursday.

I am looking forward to it like a bad case of Woodworm infestation - my already meagre workshop time is being further eroded.

Between that and the ridiculously addictive scroll saw, my poor lathe will think I don't love it any more!

All together now - Aaahhhhh!!!!

Taffy Two Left Feet

 

[Gill]

...my beloved is dragging me screaming and kicking to Ballroom and Latin dance classes

It sounds as if you'll be getting some practice in beforehand .

She's done well to find you a beginners' class; most of them are fully booked and have waiting lists. Like all the other men at the class, you'll probably feel a bit self conscious at first, but most blokes secretly come to find it very enjoyable very quickly. Oh, and keep your eyes open for the Richard Gere DVD "Shall We Dance?" as Valentine's Day approaches if you want to score some extra brownie points with your partner.

Hope all goes well on Thursday

.

Now what's this about scrolling being addictive? You haven't actually been making stuff, have you ?

Gill

 

[Taffy Turner]

Hope all goes well on Thursday

.

Now what's this about scrolling being addictive? You haven't actually been making stuff, have you ?

Gill

Thanks for the best wishes Gill - I think I am going to need them! :shock: Although, I am a cricketer, so does that mean I will take to it like certain other cricketers seem to have???? :roll:

I have indeed been making something. :shock: :shock: :shock: My mysterious first project has now had a couple more coats of paint, and is almost ready to make it's photographic début.

Also, I spent 6 hours on Sunday cutting out all the parts for one of the scenes in Rick and Karen Longabaugh's Scenes of North American Wildlife.

I only planned to cut a few parts, but developed this sort of manic fixation, which meant I couldn't stop until I had finished it. :twisted: To be honest, I was concentrating so hard that I thought I had only been at it for a couple of hours, it was only when the LOL came to check that I hadn't been fatally injured in some horrific scroll - saw incident that I realised what the time was - although the fact that I was starving and parched should have given me a clue, but everyone has to suffer for their art - right? :roll:

Surprisingly enough, I was a much better scroller by the end than I was at the start! Still a way to go though I fear before I am ready to have a bash at intarsia.

I need to pay a visit to Bodgit & Quick to get a blow torch to get rid of the fuzzies off the backs of the pieces, then it is a case of staining and assembling - I will post a picture when it is finished honest! :roll:

Regards

Gary

 

[Gill]

I thought I had only been at it for a couple of hours, it was only when ... I realised what the time was - although the fact that I was starving and parched should have given me a clue, but everyone has to suffer for their art - right? :roll:

Tell me about it :lol: ! His Lordship has twigged that if he brings me a cup of tea about half an hour before any meal time he'll have some chance of getting a cooked meal within the hour. However, it's not unusual for him to abandon hope of a proper meal and take advantage of my neglect by indulging himself in disgusting tomato ketchup sandwiches. Yuk!

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself and finding just how compelling it can be. I can't wait to congratulate you on the successful completion of your first project.

Gill