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?

[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.

[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.

[Origin Unknown]

Any recommendations on a scroll saw brand?

[Origin Unknown]

mosstrooper said:

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

Seems my response to your question didn't make it through. Mounted on a wall inside the house. Unless she doesn't like it, then it'll be on top of the wardrobe. But still inside.

[Origin Unknown]

Thanks to all other posters, will look at screwfix as those listed look good value. Will also venture down to Arnold Lavers to see what they have.

[Origin Unknown]

Just picked up an offcut ~1800x280x35mm of Beech from Arnold Laver for £8.89. That should give me enough to have two runs at it if I cock up the first one

Cheers for the steers so far. Tonight I'll pick up a scroll saw.

[Origin Unknown]

Project under way but very time consuming because of the thickness of the material and how thin the letters are in places. Lots of drill outs too.

Covered both sides in blue decorators tape to minimise tear out which seems to be working and spray mounted the design onto the tape.

~6 hours today and I'm this far. A little rough in places, tidying up will be fiddly due to small working areas.

[Origin Unknown]

Thanks loughran and mgtony.

Messed about for the past couple of weeks trying to find a bargain on ebay but all were collection only and time is a constraint at the moment. Went for a Record SSV16 16" scroll saw from Amazon in the end (£125), as someone above suggested, I'll sell it on as used for one project when I'm done.

Really excellent bit of kit, although the silverline replacement blades aren't helping me. They are thinner and deeper than the one in the box making harder to turn on thick material like this.

I downloaded a scroll practice template and mounted it on a bit of timber to get my eye in which has proved useful.

Great idea on the aerosol varnish, wouldn't of thought of that.

[Origin Unknown]

Not a productive day! Despite carefully planning how to cut the date out, ensuring as much material is there to support as I cut, I managed to snap off the numbers from the first part of the date I suspect I'll have a similar problem with the year as the amount of material is very minimal.

So change of plan, dropping the numbers and will instead try and engrave the date into the heart just above where the 15 was. Perhaps adding the location also will be a nice touch, I'm not sure.

Given up with the silverline blades, the material is just too thick for such thin and deep blades.

[Origin Unknown]

Skodasupercar said:

Keep trying! Get some quality blades and go slowly. I have made a few things using a scroll saw, and what you are trying to do is more than do-able. If not already, make sure the 'foot' is pressed firmly onto the workpiece to stop it bouncing and reduces the risk of breakages.

If all else fails, I have a laser cutter and could cut you that, but it would be in max 3mm thick birch plywood so not the chunky style you are looking for. This is not an advert, btw, just offering help.

Thanks for the offer pal, I'll keep pressing ahead as planned!

[Origin Unknown]

Coming along quite nicely. A little rough in places but I should be able to tidy this up with a small file and sandpaper.



Next thing to think about it engraving the date into the face of the left heart.

[Origin Unknown]

AlmostUseful said:

That's frigging ludicrous! Just how much patience does one have to have to get even half way through it?
I got bored cutting out the hob opening in my 40mm oak worktops...

Thanks! I think I've spent about 15 hours on it so far but that's because I'm new to scroll saws and this type of intricate work. Some of the talented chaps on here could probably bang this out in a few hours!

northwest monkey said:

Origin Unknown said:

silverline blades

I'm going to guess they overheated and started to bend?

Silverline must be the crappest brand ever.

Exactly correct. It was frankly infuriating at times, even cutting the sweeps on the heart with these blades were impossible and it made a total mess of edges. I bought the records multi-blade pack that's advertised on the box for the saw and, well, night and day. They're actually enjoyable to use and totally controllable.

My primary concern now is sanding without losing the nice sharp edge. I would really like a oscillating spindle sander to help me but this is turning into a very expensive project already and it'll be another tool I would rarely use.