Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Magaszine Summer 2022 - 87 Issue Comp

Budget-Friendly Alternatives to Exotic Hardwoods!

27 Projects CRAFTS

From Beginner
To Pro

Test CRAFTS
Your
Skills Scroll a
on Four Friendly
Fretwork Finds Narwhal
Make a
Super-Simple PLUS CRAFTS
Beach Sign! SUMMER 2022
Classic Pickup Cut These ISSUE 87
Truck Puzzle Stacking DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 18, 2022
Teeth in
10 Minutes

21 woodworkingSUMMER2022 ■ ISSUE87
CRAFTS

woodworking 29
INTHIS ISSUE

CRAFT S FEATURES
16 5 Ways to Add Color

To Bland Woods

Want to create vivid pieces
without breaking the bank?
These products may help
By Staff of Scroll Saw
Woodworking & Crafts

66 A Scrolling Legacy

For Wayne and Jacob Fowler,
everything is just fretwork
waiting to happen
By Kaylee Schofield

DEPTS. COVER PROJECTS

4 Editor’s Note Exotic Hardwood 36 Hoot Owl Intarsia
6 Letters Alternatives…16
9 Coming Features Four Fretwork Finds … This prickly desert plant houses
10 Artists To Watch 21, 33, 58, 63 a cute winged critter
12 Tips & Techniques Beach Sign…29 By Judy Gale Roberts
15 News & Notes Pickup Truck Puzzle…46
20 Bookshelf Friendly Narwhal…60 43 Sunglasses Trinket Box
71 Ad Directory Stacking Teeth…31
72 Sawdust Hide little keepsakes in plain sight
with these sweet shades!
By Rita Cels

49 Purple Whale Segmentation

This lavender leviathan is a
joy to scroll and stain
By Anatoly Obelets



2 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts

PATTERNS TECHNIQUES
33 Scrolling Your Own Ink Stamps
21 Fretwork Seashells 26
Add a personal touch to your
Use these elegant shapes for trivets, cards, envelopes, and tags with
ornaments, or shelf décor
shapes cut from scraps
By Wayne and Jacob Fowler By Staff of Scroll Saw
Woodworking & Crafts
24 Octopus Puzzle
52 Fruit Tartlet Boxes
This curly cephalopod is as fun to cut
as it is to play with Escape the heat with a useful,
By Sarah Lyn Chamberlain yummy-looking “treat”
By Carole Rothman
26 Compound-Cut Lighthouses
58 Lionfish Fretwork
Complete your beach day décor with
these nautical structures You won’t need a snorkel to
appreciate this tropical
By Sue Mey portrait up close
By Charles Hand
29 Seaside Segmentation Sign
43
This sunny sign is the dose of Vitamin D
your décor is missing Find these free extras at
By Deborah Lawrence SCROLLSAWER.COM

31 Balancing Teeth

Enjoy endless fun with this simple
stacking game

By Alexander Shushkov

46 Classic Pickup Truck Puzzle

Take a trip down memory lane with
this vintage roadster
By Eric Van Malderen

60 Narwhal Puzzle

Scroll and paint a whimsical swimmer
surrounded by colorful bubbles!

By David and Jessica Wood

63 Seabird Portrait

Channel an adventurous beach creature
in this beginner-friendly fretwork
By Wayne and Jacob Fowler

68 Stacked Castle Toy

Cut and color a fairy-tale game with
bonus compound-cut characters
By Dmitry Bogomazov

52 Free Project – Learn how to make Bonus Instructions – Get an

a five-sided bread bowl from a explained tutorial on preparing the
single pine plank. fruit topping for Carole Rothman’s
tartlet boxes (page 52).
Search for Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
on Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram Extra Tips – Find more on

decoding blades (page 12) with
the Never Fail Blade Chart on
our website.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 3

TIPS &TECHNIQUES

Decoding
Your Scroll
Saw Blades

Blades come in various types, sizes, and
configurations—cut through all the noise
with this handy guide!

By Staff of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts

W hether you’re an experienced scroller or have • Use smaller blades for thin wood. These blades
just picked up your first saw, understanding (#5 and smaller) cut more slowly, which gives you
the blades that go into that saw is key to success. Here, additional control. If you prefer to cut unstacked
we’ve broken down the basics, so you can select the 1/8" (3mm)-thick wood, for instance, a #1 may be for
appropriate blade for your project without having to you. Puzzle cutters sometimes use blades of this size
try dozens of types, sizes, and configurations. to make tight turns or small details, such as facial
To start, blades come in two main types: plain-end features. For fretwork enthusiasts, choose the blade
and pin-end. Most saws, except for a few entry-level that will allow you to cut the smallest frets without
models, use plain-end blades. Pin-end blades don’t breaking every few cuts.
come in small sizes and the 3/16" (5mm)-dia. blade-entry • Choose a blade based on the thickness of the
hole they require is often larger than the frets you stack. If you cut eight 1/8" (3mm)-thick blanks at once
want to cut. (giving you an effective thickness of 1" or 2.5cm), use
Sourcing Blades a #5 or #7 blade. If you’re cutting four 1/8" (3mm)-thick
It’s best to buy blades from local or online scroll saw blanks, use a #2 or #3 blade.
suppliers. Scroll saw suppliers stock a wider variety of
blades than standard hardware stores do, and typically
offer more competitive pricing. We buy blades in bulk
because we like having enough to last a while; after all,
your work stops when you run out of blades.
Blade Size
Some manufacturers list the width and thickness of
the blade, but most use the semi-standard number
system. A few rules of thumb:

• Use larger blades as the thickness or the density When cutting fretwork
(hardness) of the wood increases. Larger blades with a pin-end blade,
(higher numbers, such as #7 to #12) cut faster and you will need to drill
are more durable. Precision cutters tend to use the larger entry holes.
smallest blade possible, while beginners should
consider starting with the largest blade possible
for a project.

12 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts

Compound-Cut
Lighthouses

Complete your beach décor with
these nautical structures

By Sue Mey
Cut by Joe Pascucci

A ny chance I get, I escape to the Carefully remove the waste wood
coastline. Some of my fondest and sand the piece smooth with 120-grit
memories consist of seagulls, crashing sandpaper, moving progressively through
waves, and a lighthouse on the horizon. the grits until you reach 320. You could use
I made these lighthouses to celebrate those a rotary tool to round over the sharp edges,
special beach days. Display one wherever a if desired. Remove the sanding dust with a
nautical touch is needed, or show them off stiff-bristled brush.
in a group as a table decoration with some Finishing
pebbles in between. You can leave them Apply a finish. For a natural look, apply
natural or make them colorful depending several thin coats of clear spray varnish,
on your preference. Let your imagination allowing each coat to dry completely before
run wild! applying the next. For painted pieces, use
Getting Started diluted acrylics in your choice of colors. Let
Cut the pattern blank to size, making sure dry, and then spray with a clear finish of
that the sides are flat and at a 90° angle to your choice.
each other. Photocopy the pattern, fold it on
the centerline, and then apply adhesive to the Materials & Tools
back with a repositionable glue stick or spray
adhesive. Align the fold with the corner of Materials
the blank and press the pattern into place. • Wood, such as basswood or pine, 11/2" (3.8cm) square:
Use a 1/8" (3mm)-dia. bit to drill the blade- sized for patterns
entry holes. • Tape: masking or blue painter’s, clear packaging
Select a blade size appropriate for the • Spray adhesive or glue stick: repositionable
thickness and type of wood being used. I use • Sandpaper: assorted grits
a #9 reverse-tooth for softer woods such as • Finish, such as clear satin spray varnish
pine, but consider a #12 blade for something • Acrylic paints: assorted (optional)
harder, such as maple or walnut.
Cutting and Sanding Tools
Cut the first pattern view, starting with the • Scroll saw with blades: #9 to #12 reverse-tooth
interior cuts and moving to the perimeter.
Once done, hold the workpiece and the • Drill press with bit: 1/8" (3mm)-dia.
waste in place and vacuum away the dust.
Wrap the entire block (waste and all) in clear • Square (optional) The author used these
packaging tape, rotate the blank 90°, and • Rotary tool (optional) products for the project.
then cut the second pattern view. • Vacuum Substitute your choice
• Brush: stiff-bristled
of brands, tools, and
materials as desired.

• Paintbrushes: assorted (optional)

26 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 27

Compound-Cut Lighthouse Patterns © 2022 Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts

Additional patterns for the
Compound-Cut Lighthouses

are in the pullout section.

Sue Mey lives in Pretoria, South Africa. To
see more of her work, including a wide
variety of patterns and pattern-making
tutorials available for purchase, visit
scrollsawartist.com. She can be contacted
at [email protected]. Her pattern book,
Lighted Scroll Saw Projects, is available
from schifferbooks.com and other outlets.
Joe Pascucci started scrolling nearly 30
years ago. He also enjoys woodturning
and other types of woodworking. Joe is a
retired police sergeant and construction
superintendent, and is the founding
president of the Long Island Scroll Saw
Association. When Joe’s not in the
woodshop, he can be found gardening,
traveling, and spending time with his grandkids. To see more
of Joe’s work, visit the Members section of liwoodworkers.org.
28 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts

Scrolling Your
Own Ink Stamps

Add a personal touch to your cards, envelopes,
and tags with shapes cut from scraps

By Staff of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts
Cut by Kaylee Schofield

S tore-bought cards are expensive, and making your own with
homemade stamps can be a great alternative—especially when
you’re celebrating someone who defies conventional description. Take
an afternoon to scroll these beauties and stamp a bunch of blank cards
at once; you’ll be set for birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations for
years to come!
Getting Started
Photocopy the pattern. If your pattern stock for the stamp designs is
not perfectly flat, pre-sand it with a belt sander or drum sander. Wipe
off dust with a tack cloth, cover the wood with blue painter’s tape, and
then apply the pattern to the tape with spray adhesive. Drill any entry
holes for the frets.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 33

© 2022 Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts

Scrolled Ink Materials Materials & Tools
Stamps Patterns • Wood, such as plywood, 1/4" (6mm) thick: stamp
designs, sized for patterns Tools
Additional patterns for • Scrap wood, such as oak or beech, 3/4" to 1" • Scroll saw with blades: #1 to #5 reverse-tooth
the Scrolled Ink Stamps are (1.9cm to 2.5cm) thick: stamp backers, sized • Drill with bit: 1/16" (1.5mm)-dia.
for patterns • Sander: drum or belt (optional)
in the pullout section. • Tape: blue painter’s • Can of compressed air (optional)
• Spray adhesive • Woodburner with nib: writing (optional)
• Sandpaper: assorted grits to 320
• Epoxy putty (optional) The author used these products for the
• Glue: cyanoacrylate (CA) project. Substitute your choice of brands,
• Tack cloth
tools, and materials as desired.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 35

© shay beezley/Shutterstock.com Add decorative spines made
of various dowel sizes.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 37

5 6
Sand the owl. The body is recessed inside the cactus, so it will Define the chest. Remove the chest feathers (part 17) from
be thinner than the cactus; the feet are raised and will be sanded the sanding shim. I lowered this part to make the beak and chin
after the cactus. Round the sides, the top of the head, and the lower feathers stand out more. Mark along the inside edge of the chest
portion of the owl down to about half the original thickness. Dish out with a pencil or a white colored pencil about 1/16" (2mm) in the
the light eye sections to make them look more hollow, and then taper middle, and out toward the sides. Sand this section off the top,
them down slightly toward the outside edge. and then blend the sanded area with the rest of the body section.

7 8
Shape the chest. Rejoin the beak and chest feathers (parts Shape the beak. Tape the raising shim underneath the
15 and 17). Mark the thickness of the chest feathers (part 17) onto beak. Mark the thickness of the adjoining parts on the sides of the
the beak feathers (part 15). I sanded little dips down the center beak. Sand it down toward the top of the head, and then round
of each of the scallops, being careful not to sand below the pencil the sides down close to the pencil line. If you sand off too much,
lines indicating the thickness of adjoining parts. This adds a little you can raise the beak a little more with a second shim.
variance to the overall project.

9 10
Shape the cactus. Note: You want the arms to be thicker Contour the cactus. Note the thickness line on the side of
than the middle section. Round the sides from the center of the the arm. When you sand, stay above that line. Round the pieces all
cactus down to the outside edge, staying above the thickness of the way to the bottom edge for both arms. Remember, this is the
the dark shadow pieces. Lower the sides at least 1/4" (6mm) where roughing-in stage; you are sanding the basic shape while it’s on
the arms join. After sanding, put the arms in place and mark the the sanding shim, so don’t worry about getting the parts perfect.
thickness of the sanded middle section on the sides. scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 39

Sunglasses Trinket Box

Hide little keepsakes in plain sight
with these sweet shades!

By Rita Cels

I love summer! It means doffing the winter clothes, enjoying longer
days, having some fun in the sun, and, of course, wearing my favorite
pair of sunglasses. I wanted to celebrate my favorite season with a fun
little “sunglasses” box made from different hardwoods. With the pull of a
pin, the glasses pivot to reveal two small chambers. Play with a variety of
woods (and even resin) to create unique pieces.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 43

Getting Started CUTTING & SANDING
Choose your wood varieties. For the lid
(lenses and frames), I used two contrasting 1
pieces of 1/8" (3mm)-thick hardwood— Cut the lid pieces. I prepared a few stacks at once to save time: one with
purpleheart for the frames and wenge for purpleheart frames and one with padauk. The process is the same for both. Set the
the lenses. Stack the two pieces; you can angle of the saw table to 2°. Using a #1 reverse-tooth blade, carefully cut out the
either secure them by wrapping the sides lenses. I like cutting in from the side. Set the table angle back to 0° (square with
with blue painter’s tape, or by gluing them the blade), and then cut the perimeter of the frames.
together in the waste areas. Trace the shape
of the frames with a pen or pencil on top,
or use repositionable spray adhesive to
attach the pattern. Make sure the grain runs
horizontally. Then drill the two holes for the
axle pegs with a 15/64" (6mm)-dia. drill bit.

2 3
Complete the lid. Glue the lenses in the frame, clamp, Cut the main box body. Position the glasses in the center of
and set aside to dry. Sand the front and back flush with 220-grit the blank and, holding it in place, draw a line around the outline,
sandpaper and remove all fuzzies. giving 1/8" (3mm) of clearance. I like using a small washer to keep the
distance accurate. Use a #5 reverse-tooth blade to cut along the line.

4 5
Drill the axle peg holes. Clamp the lid to the box body on Cut the bottom. Mark a straight line 1/8" (3mm) up from the
one end. Drill a 7/32" (5.6mm) hole 1" (2.5cm) deep on the left side bottom of the box body, flip the box body on its head, and then
of the glasses, making sure to drill straight through the existing cut along this line. Use a #7 reverse-tooth blade to cut. Set the
hole in the frames. Rotate the glasses, reposition the clamp, and bottom aside.
then drill a 15/64" (6mm)-dia. hole at the same depth on the other
side, going through the existing hole. Set the glasses aside.
44 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts

Classic Pickup Truck
Puzzle

Take a trip down memory lane
with this vintage roadster

By Eric Van Malderen

P eople who restore old cars and trucks deserve a select a piece of wood with an attractive grain pattern
lot of respect. They preserve pieces of history for for a nice, natural look. I chose Baltic birch plywood,
the future and put a lot of time and energy into their as it stays sturdy in delicate areas and has a nice-
craft. I designed this puzzle based on the 1984 Chevy looking grain.
Silverado long-bed, owned by a friend of mine. These Getting Started
pickup trucks were revolutionary in appearance at the Sand the blank with 180-grit sandpaper, wipe off dust
time, particularly the cabs, and are colloquially known with a tack cloth, and then attach the pattern with
as the “square-body” or “box-body” generation. repositionable spray adhesive. Cover the pattern with
Gift this puzzle to a pickup truck fan in your life. clear packaging tape to lubricate your blades and to
The puzzle is freestanding, so not only will it be fun to reduce the risk of scorching the wood. Drill the hole
play with, but it’ll also make a great addition to a desk, for the door handle and the blade-entry holes for the
bookshelf, or mantle. If you prefer not to add paint, window and tires.

46 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts

Cut a second version in hardwood and
finish it naturally to show off the grain.

© Beautiful landscape/Shutterstock.com TIP USING FORSTNER BITS

You can use a Forstner bit to give your
puzzle extra dimension, although it
is not necessary. I’ve used one to add
depth to the wheels. Drill a hole in the
center of the wheel with a 1/32" (1mm)
bit, prior to using the Forstner bit, so
you can see the exact middle of the
wheels on both sides of the blank.
After using the Forstner bit, fill the
small hole with wood filler. Practice
on scrap wood first, so you can
experiment with depth.

Cutting and Finishing
Cut the pieces on a scroll saw. Start with the window and tires
first, and then cut the rest of the puzzle. If necessary, remove
uneven parts with a file. Then sand each piece by hand with
220-grit sandpaper. Because of the thin and fragile pieces, I do
not recommend using a sander to round the edges. If you want
to give the puzzle extra depth, drill the wheel rims with a 3/4"
(19mm)-dia. Forstner bit (see Tip above). Before removing the
pattern, shape the fuel tank cap using a small chisel.
Remove dust with a tack cloth and finish as desired. I used
acrylic paints, but you could just apply Danish oil for a natural
look. Let the pieces dry overnight, and then reassemble them to
complete your truck.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 47

Purple Whale
Segmentation

This lavender leviathan is a joy
to scroll and stain

By Anatoly Obelets

M y home in Ukraine is full of many Getting Started
wonderful creatures, and their forms Cut the pine to size and sand it smooth with 100 and then
often find their way into my work. Although 150-grit sandpaper. Make two copies of the pattern and transfer
whales are not native to my country, I have one to the blank; I used graphite transfer paper and a pencil,
always been fascinated by their might and but you can save time by attaching the design directly with
grace. The whale’s shape also lends itself repositionable spray adhesive. Keep one as a master copy. Place a
beautifully to a scroll sawn pattern. You have piece of Baltic birch plywood under the pine. Secure the stack by
the option of adding extra dimension with wrapping the edges with clear packaging tape.
carving tools, as well.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 49

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 53

Materials & Tools Charles Hand is retired
from a career in electrical/
Materials • Finish: clear spray lacquer • Drill press with bits: mechanical design,
• Baltic birch plywood, 1/8" (3mm) • F elt backing, black: 11" x 14" 3/64" (1mm)-dia. or graphic arts, and senior
thick: 2 or 3 each 11" x 14" (27.9cm x 35.6cm) (optional) #56 wire size, 1/16" project management. He
(27.9cm x 35.6cm) • P hoto frame, matted: standard (2mm)-dia. or #53 enjoys intarsia, fretwork,
• Sandpaper: 180 to 220-grit 11" x 14" (27.9cm x 35.6cm) wire size segmentation, inlay, and
• Tape: blue painter’s (optional) • Palm sander: fine-grit just about everything there
• Self-adhesive shelf liner, such • Can of compressed air • Needle files (optional) is to cut with a scroll saw. Charles has won best
as Duck® Brand EasyLiner® of show and several other awards for his work
• S pray adhesive, such as Tools • Paintbrushes: assorted and designs at local craft and woodworking
Elmer’s® or 3M™ Super 77 • S croll saw with blades: shows. For more information and a tutorial
• Acrylic paints, such as #2/0 to #1 spiral (interior cuts), The author used these products on Charles’ pattern application method and
DecoArt®: brown, green, ivory, #3 or #5 reverse-tooth flat for the project. Substitute your framing technique, or for more of his patterns,
maroon, yellow (straight cuts) choice of brands, tools, and visit scrollsawart4u.weebly.com.

materials as desired.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 59

Seaside Portrait

Channel an adventurous beach
creature in this beginner-friendly
fretwork

By Wayne Fowler
Design by Jacob Fowler

T here are many interesting shore birds along the beaches of Florida,
and one of my pastimes is photographing them as I walk along
the waves. Most popular are the plovers, who tend to flock together and
are very cute when they run. But an equally fascinating creature is the
ruddy turnstone, a reddish bird that (as its name suggests) flips stones
on the beach in search of food. Jacob did a great job of turning one of my
pictures into a pattern, and I took advantage of a piece of cherry wood
with a distinct heartwood/sapwood boundary to mimic the reddish bird
and white sand. I included an optional base for the finished piece, but you
could cut it from thicker wood to make it freestanding.

scrollsawer.com n SUMMER 2022 63

Stacked
Castle Toy

Cut and color a fairy- T his interactive game is a great tool for teaching kids their colors,
tale game with bonus shapes, and fine motor skills. The castle pieces stack on one another
compound-cut characters to complete the puzzle. I’ve also included plans for a tray to hold the
structure, as well as classic fairy-tale characters—a king and queen—for
By Dmitry Bogomazov endless play.

Getting Started
Choose a kind of wood. I suggest a soft, light-colored wood, such as
basswood, for ease of cutting and coloring. I used wood 11/2" to 13/4" (3.8cm
to 4.5cm) thick, but use a thickness suitable for your own saw.
Face-sand the blanks to 220-grit with a palm sander. Remove dust
with a tack cloth, and then apply blue painter’s tape to the surface of the

68 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts

SAWDUST

Sunshine is often
inspired by the sea
life near her home

in Cape Cod.

Out of the
Discard Bin

Sunshine Singleton S ummer or winter, rain or shine, Sunshine
scrolls upcycled Singleton can often be found walking along the
Cape Cod beach paths with her dogs beside her. She
wood art along the scours the dunes for beach glass, stones, bird feathers, and
Cape Cod shore driftwood before heading back to her workshop. The shop,
a converted gazebo built by her husband, is a regular haunt
By Kelly Umenhofer for robins and blue jays and sits within walking distance of
the shore. Inside, spray cans and tools litter workbenches,
and mismatched wood pieces pile up along the walls, but
Sunshine prefers the disarray—it’s her paradise.

(Continued on page 70)

72 Scroll SawWoodworking & Crafts