Scroll Saw Village

We’re almost there!  We pick up where we left off as we design a scroll saw pattern using Adobe Photoshop.  This time we’re working on the dog’s chin and muzzle.  If you have any questions or comments, drop by the forums!  We’d be glad to have ya.  While you’re there, check out the pattern section where you can find some great examples of this technique being used.

On with the show!

For those who are still with me, here is the next installment of our video series as I create a scroll saw pattern using Adobe Photoshop.  This time we’re working on the dog’s body.  If you have any questions or comments, please stop by our forums.  While you’re there, be sure to introduce yourself.  There are a lot of fun and talented people there.  I think you’ll have a good time.  We also have a nice collection of free scroll saw patterns located in the Pattern Library.  Check it out!

Anyway, on with the show!

Well.  We made it past the half way mark!  For those of you still watching, we pick up where we left off.  This time we’re working on the right ear and the face! If you have any questions or comments, please join us in the forums! We’d love to have ya!

Note: I had trouble with audio drift on this episode as well. But don’t worry, the next few episodes recorded properly.

Welcome back!  We’re picking up with part 3 of the 7 part series where we convert a photo into a scroll saw pattern using Adobe Photoshop.  This time we’re working on the ear and left side of the face.

Note: I ran into a little technical problem when recording this episode.  You’ll notice the audio drifts a little bit.  Which basically means the sound and the video start getting more and more out of sync as the program progresses.  You’ll notice it more at the end of this program than at the beginning.  I apologize for this.  I have a few ideas on how to fix this, but in order to keep on schedule, I’ll post this episode the way it is.

Have a question or comment?  Join us in the forums!  We’d love to have ya!

Anyway.  On with the show!

This is part 2 of the continuing series where I convert a photo of a beloved pet into a scroll saw pattern using Adobe Photoshop.  We pick up right where we left off and work on the eyes, the forhead, and a little on the left side of the face.  For those interested, I’ve included the original photo along with the finished pattern so you can see where we started and where we ended.

If you have any questions regarding the techniques I describe, please let me know by posting a comment or asking in the forums.  On with the show!

There has been interest in the Scroll Saw Village forums on how to create a scroll saw pattern from a photograph. While there are hundreds of ways to design a scroll saw pattern, I share one technique that I use when it comes to difficult patterns. I’m using Adobe Photoshop in this screen cast. But these techniques can easily be adapted to your favorite graphics program.

Fair Warning: This is a monster of a tutorial. Each episode runs about 30 minutes and we have 7 episodes. So if you do the math, the whole series runs 3.5 hours long! Why so long? Well, first, the pattern proved to be a little more difficult than I originally anticipated. Normally it doesn’t take that long to create a pattern. And secondly, there has been interest to see the complete process. So, those who like to see the whole process will enjoy it. Those who only want the bullet points will be bored to tears. However, most of the information and techniques can be found in part 1.

One other note.  This is an experiment, so I’d love to get a little feedback. You can email me directly at scrollsawgoodies[at]gmail.com, leave a comment on the blog, or reach me on the Scroll Saw Village forums. Future episodes will be much more concise. I also plan on covering other graphics programs as well. If you’d like to see something specific, please let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

On with the show.

My wife hates it when I spray finish my projects indoors.  She doesn’t like the smell and she worries about what’s floating around in the air.  Most of the time, I have to wait for her to go shopping.  Then I bolt downstairs with my spray can in one hand and an arm full of projects in the other and hope the smell dissapears before she gets home.

It would be great if I could find a way to finish my projects indoors without anybody being the wiser?  If I only had a spray booth.   Well Paul Adamson from Military Modeling has a great tutorial on how to make a small spraybooth out of materials you can find off the shelf.  Best of all, its small enough to store out of sight when you don’t need it.  He includes a detailed description of the process, along with several photographs.  Check it out.  It might be the next tool you need in your arsonal (and keep you out of the doghouse too).

This video series was brought to my attention by Steve Good’s blog Scroll Saw Workshop.  It was so wonderful, I had to share it as well.

Dick Sader of Northwest Indiana Woodworkers Association has put together a great three-part video tutorial on how to cut compound Christmas ornaments.  He goes through each step with detail.  I’m sure you’ll learn a few things and perhaps you’ll give it a try yourself! After you’re done watching these videos, be sure to check out his other videos on violin building. Very impressive!

The price of tools and supplies can add up pretty quick.  Especially time saving tools such as sanding mops.  Steve from Scroll Saw Workshop has a great tutorial provided by one of his readers, Rick.  He provides step-by-step instructions on how to create your own sanding mop.  It looks Rick’s version of the sanding mop is designed for a lathe, but the concepts can easily be adapted to be used with a drill press.  Steve also gives a great demonstration video on how to use a commercial sanding mop.  You’ll soon realize its something you’ll want in your shop too!  Check it out!

Here’s a fun project for that little reader in your life. This bookend project is provided by Sabrina of Seeds of the Heart blog. This is a great afternoon project that turns out really neat. The instructions are pretty straight forward. For the letters, choose your favorite font in a graphics program or word processor. Enlarge the letters until the fit and you’re set! Definitely give this project a try. It goes to show you that even the simplest of projects can turn out extra special.