Learning Curve #17: Scrollsaw Stars

Debbie -

WOW! Those are beautiful! Excellent instructions. Thanks!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Most impressive. Pretty and personal, what more could you want?

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

thanks David, Russel.
:) I was pleasantly surprised at the end result

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Looks good, Deb. A steady hand you’ve got. Will they hang on a tree next month?

-- Dust collectors suck.

Hi Ms. Debbie;

I always knew you’de make a star someday!

Nice job.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Going to be a festive Christmas as the MsDebbie household. Everyone will have a star on the tree.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Yeah, some of the scrollsaw work is pretty inspiring. Nice work.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

There oughta be a new font made from these. Love it!

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Good job Debbie, I’ve tried my scroll saw a couple of times and can attest that it is nerve racking trying to keep tight to the lines. You did a really nice job.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

I like Deb. Ornaments are always fun to make. I’ve made some using the wood cut from the base of our tree. The 1st tree that we used that came from our farm started the idea. I wanted to commemorate the occasion and made both of my girls an ornament. Just simple slices of the trunk with the bark on, painted and polyed. You’ld think they were waterford crystal. They get wrapped in bubble wrap and boxed when the tree comes down.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

i like these very much. Great christmas theme.

-- ..... art for lifes sake

Not only is a beautiful and well executed thing that you have done here but I specially love how pure an un-geeky is your approach to woodworking. I quote (sic) ”using the blade (not sure what type it was) that was already in the machine” and ”If I were to do this again I’d choose that font with the circles on the edges.”

You are like Mot’s 9 year old daughter, that child that sometimes reminds us the obvious but often difficult to achieve: to be more easy-going and less worried about the technical details, more creative and less OCD…

Keep on going “Debbie” and thank you for telling us. By the way, yesterday I listened again to the Lumberjocks Podcast featuring your interview, I absolutely loved it. Too bad there were no more episodes of the series. :o(

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://www.japanese-woodworking-tools.com/

Great job,looks wonderful.Stars can be tryng at times.I do alot of scrolling too.The clear packing tape is a good idea helps your blades last alot longer.I use alot of #2 Olson skip tooth blades.Their ideal for tight radius & detail .They cut fast and they have great chip removal for smooth finishes. Their .012” in thickness and great for cutting super small lines.There also pretty reasonable too. If you notice your blade is wondering.slow your feed down and keep your speed on the lowest setting. Its o.k. to get off the line for a little bit.You can easly fix a small problem by just smoothing the cut out alittle bit.Your stars look really great .

-- Rick,Neoga,IL.http://www.myspace.com/sublime_4_life_40

thanks everyone. I’m pleased with the results. I didn’t have to throw any away! :)

Bob: isn’t it interesting that “free” stuff can be precious and expensive stuff can be – well, just stuff!

Jojo: that’s a high compliment to be compared to Mot’s daughter. She’s an impressive young lady,
re: interviews, I’ll mention this to Martin… I had forgotten about them; it was so long ago, it seems.
(and I’m glad you enjoyed my interview. My 10 minutes of fame lol.)

Rick: thanks for the tips! I picked up a bunch of blades last spring but I don’t know what I ended up getting.
Thanks for the tip re: wandering. Yesterday was the first time that I’ve ever “used” the speed to my benefit. It was interesting to feel the difference and the control it gave me.
And thanks for the kind words about my stars, since your work was part of my inspiration!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Cool idea. One more thing for me to do prior to Christmas. Not complaining, mind you.

Hi Debbie-
I haven’t been able to keep up here much, but I sure like your new stars! Great scroll work. Nicely done!

-- BarbS, Wenatchee WA

thanks GB and Barb.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Debbie,

I just saw these. Very cool idea. I sometimes try to get my kids involved in the shop using the scroll saw because it is a relatively safe tool to use under supervision. These may be a great project to try for Christmas. Thanks for posting!

-- Mark, Webster New York, Visit my website at http://thecraftsmanspath.com

ok I have to laugh.. here I am so proud of my achievements on the scroll saw and you are going to have the kids make them.. sigh… darn kids – they make everything look so easy ;)

(remembering back to my first “oops” with the DowelMax… and Mot’s daughter not having a problem..sheesh)
oh my ego, my ego.
:D

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Debbie,

Sorry if that came across poorly ;-)

I didn’t mean to imply that my kids efforts will be near as nice as what you’ve created, just that I thought it was a really nice idea for a project to try with them. Your efforts with the scroll saw on these were great! I really like the lettering you used. I think we’ll be lucky if we can get halfway nice looking stars maybe with something painted on the front but, it will be time well spent with the kids.

Great work!

-- Mark, Webster New York, Visit my website at http://thecraftsmanspath.com

haha no problem lol
I am inspired by the abilities of our young woodworkers.
Go, young’uns, go…. AND .. please post the end results so I can pick up a trick or two :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

ok debbie practice time is over , how about one for each lumberjock !!

-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes

Deb, you keep that up and we’ll have to name you resident Elf!

Good on you and you are getting better too.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

haha MrTrim—2074 stars… I don’t think I have that much patience!! lol

Thanks Bob.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I like it.

-- Jiri

That is cool. I wish I had seen these a month ago. So little time….

-- Maplewood, MN

Mark: have your kids made some yet??

Rikkor: they certainly didn’t take long to do; that’s for sure!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’m a little late to the party, but wanted to say what a nice idea.
I would recommend to leave them a natural finish.

Good job,
Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

thanks Steve :)

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)