Woodwork help

[Origin Unknown]

I'll start with a caveat that this will not be to everyone's taste but I'm not interested in views on taste

I'm creating something similar to the below, but with different names and dates. A few questions:

1. Any guidance on what timber I should use for this?
2. Where can I source the timber from?
3. I have created the design and plan to print it of onto A2 paper. From there I will cut it out and draw round it on the final piece and then cut it out. Should use something like mdf first, refine that and then use it as the template on the final piece?

[Simpo Two]

1) Any wood with a fine grain that you like the look of should do.
2) A DIY shed or timber merchant
3) I'd glue/spraymount the paper lightly to the wood, then use a bench jigsaw with a fine blade to cut, then soak/pull/sand the paper off and sand.

[Big Al.]

Few questions,
What approx size is it? thickness, etc.
Where do you reside?
Any Timber yards local to you?
Are you making 1 off's?
What do you intend cutting/machining it out with?

I would plump for Cherry, Apple, Maple, Mahogany, American Black Walnut so many to choose from really.

[Origin Unknown]

Big Al. said:

Few questions,
What approx size is it? thickness, etc.
Where do you reside?
Any Timber yards local to you?
Are you making 1 off's?
What do you intend cutting/machining it out with?

I would plump for Cherry, Apple, Maple, Mahogany, American Black Walnut so many to choose from really.

Thanks both.

I think it will need to be at least 30mm to give it some depth.
I'm just outside Reading, Berks.
Having a look now for local timber merchants.
Will be a 1 off.
I'll have to use a jigsaw to cut it out but will need to select a blade that minimises blowout.

American Black Walnut would be ideal.

I did find this... http://www.diy.com/departments/oak-waney-edge-boar... Any thoughts?

I want to do a good job with this and have plenty of time so prepared to invest time and money.

[Origin Unknown]

Forgot to say, I have access to and am fairly competent using a router and can borrow a table to mount it which will make for a cleaner finish.

[mgtony]

Don't think a router is going to be of much use to make one of those. It's also a bit intricate for a jigsaw. Trying to manoeuvre a jigsaw around tight curves or corners is likely to snap any weak cross-grain parts of the design and would most likely need to somehow be sanded for a neat finish.
An electric fret saw would be better, although 30mm of hardwood will be a bit hard going.

[Blakeatron]

I would use a scroll saw but it could be done with a jigsaw and a fine blade, take your time.

Glue template to wood and go for it, don't bother with test runs.

Sapele would take a design like that well, but is quite dark and 70's! Beech also, stay away from ash and oak.

Quick tip - get a thick piece of polystyrene or Celtic type stuff, put it under the wood and cut through the wood and into the polystyrene. Will support the cuts and make it easier for you

[Troubleatmill]

Rotozip.

But you might need to buy from USA.

[Origin Unknown]

Lots of great advice, thanks.

I really shouldn't invest in a scroll/fret saw as I just can't see me using it outside this project. However, this has never stopped me before.

Looking for local timber merchants and noted on the woods to keep clear from.

[Jimmyarm]

I agree about using a scroll saw, that would be a nightmare to cut with a jigsaw.

Be prepared for the amount of sanding that is involed in something like that, it will take hours ! Use a rasp where you can.

Don't cut up to the template lines, sand up to them.

Have fun !


PS Decent wood working tools hold their value, you could buy a new or second hand quality scroll saw and get most of your money back. Just pick the most popular one

Edited by Jimmyarm on Thursday 11th February 20:35

[Origin Unknown]

Any recommendations on a scroll saw brand?

[mosstrooper]

Where is this to be displayed ? Inside or out ?

[Simpo Two]

No, but that's what I meant by 'bench jigsaw'.

[Big Al.]

Origin Unknown said:

Any recommendations on a scroll saw brand?

Any it's a one off.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/variable-speed-scroll-sa...

Axminster on there for £26 at the mo.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Axminster-AWVFS-Variable...

[48Valves]

You need a CNC milling machine.

[Big Al.]

48Valves said:

You need a CNC milling machine.

For batch production yep, I would agree but for a one off?

[mgtony]

Cheapish one from Screwfix with £10 off at the moment:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb544ssw-325mm-...

or a better Record one:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/record-power-ss16v-405mm...

You'll want to cut as accurate to the line as possible. Trying to sand 30mm of hardwood in a confined space wont be much fun.
I can foresee getting to the very last cut and then putting it down on an edge and snapping one of the letters or numbers!

Plenty of hardwood on Ebay as well:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=mgb&_os...

[mosstrooper]

Manufacture is (fairly ) easy, but, I ask again, inside or out ??

[Happy Jim]

If you pop into Arnold Lavers down near B&Q (ish) they have a selection of hardwood off cuts out the back that they will happily sell you, all sorts of interesting stuff. Failing that they can get whatever you need to order.

Cheers

Jim

[mr.man]

Water jet.
Feb 2016
Check it out.