lichterbogen project

[Bill Wilson]

I'm attempting the lichterbogen project as found in the latest SSW issue. I need to make 5, so stack cutting is a must. Has anyone made this yet? I'm just looking for general advice/tips you may be able to offer.

I started cutting this past weekend and got the small manger scene section done only to discover that when I stacked my material, I only picked up 4 of the 5 pieces and would have to cut another one.

Then I started on the big arch. Needing 10 pieces total, I figured I would have to do this in 2 stacks. Man, is that thing tough to saw. Lots of little inside cuts and the blanks are about 10" x 19", so they just fit in the throat of the saw. I found out that I'm going to have to stand to make many of the cuts, because my body is in the way in the sitting position. I'm not looking forward to hours hunched over my DeWalt, that is set for chair height, not standing height.

I didn't get very far before I had to quit, bent a couple blades trying to feed them through and got frustrated (again) so I took a break. I hope to get back on them tonight or tomorrow night, but I admit it's looking a little daunting at this point.

So any advice or encuragement anyone can offer is appreciated.

[BobD (Archive)]

Bill,
How ironic; I cut the same thing this weekend!


To be honest, I couldn't bear the thought of swinging the large arch back and forth on my saw table, so I used spiral blades. 90% of the cuts have rounded corners, so it wasn't a big deal. I adapted the inside cuts on the candle flames to be slightly rounded to let me use the spirals.

I cut 4 at a time and used a #1 FD new spiral blade. It turned out really well; I cut out the arch entire project in about 6 hours time!

The spirals do require you to sand more; if I had thought about it, I would have added a piece of cardboard on the bottom and stacked it tighter, but it sanded off well!

Hope this helps!

Bob

[Bill Wilson]

Thanks Bob. Spiral blades, huh? Unfortunately I don't have any, never could get the hang of them and not sure I relish the thought of experimenting with them on this project. I need to get these done by the end of next week and if I get desperate, I may go looking for some locally to give them a try.

Did you cut the other pieces with the spirals or just the big arch? Do you intend to put a finish on yours? I know the article said they traditionally were left unfinished, but I think I'd like to paint them white, maybe add a touch of glitter so they sparkle. Any thoughts?

[BobD (Archive)]

I used spirals to cut everything except the manger scene; I just didn't think of using spirals to cut that.

I kept my speed low, and cut inside the lines as much as I could with the spirals. The trick I've found is to rough out the cut first, then go back and shave up to the line with the spirals...that gives me a lot more control!

I'm going to spray mine with a little Deft, just to make them easier to clean. My wife hasn't decided if we are going to install lights or not yet...

Almost done with my holiday presents...just one my table mat to cut out. My wife wants me to use hickory (because I have it already) but that is some seriously hard wood!!!

Bob

[workin for wood]

If your project doesn't work out well, you can call it Lichterbogen post allied bombing, and dust it with some ashes.
Just trying to ease your stress with some humor.

[Rolf]

Volker Arnold's design really do call for spirals. The 2/0 new spiral works great.
He is one of my favorite designers. I just looked at that pattern and I would do alot of it with a straight blade and all of the inside cuts and veins with the spiral.

My mom was in Dresden when it was bombed so some of his church designs have special meaning to my family.

I have attached another lichterbogen Nativity. That I did last week.

[Minnesota scroller]

Rolf, that is very impressive.

BobD, where are your pictures? Are we suppose to take your word that you actually have done what you said?

[Rolf]

I dont normally push any particular brand of blade except when it comes to spirals.
They are not all created equal. The only spiral I use is the FD "new spiral 2/0"
it is much more controlable than most.
I think the generic local purchase spiral blades may be more of a frustration than you may be ready for.

Just my opinion. I am a bit of a blade monger so I have lots of blades from everyone.

[Bill Wilson]

Sounds like spirals are the way to go. I'll have to hustle and order some FD's fast. Time is running out. As Rolf suggested, I can work on some of the cuts that lend themselves more easily to a straight blade while I'm waiting for the spirals to arrive.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

[BobD (Archive)]

It's not assembled yet...I lost power to my bedroom yesterday (somehow) and spent the evening working on that...it's still not done, but as soon as I have time, I'll post some photos...

Bob

[earlinjax]

I completed my lichterbogen and it was cut just about exclusively with spirals (FD 2/0 new spirals). You can read about my initial trebidation in the "Musing while spiraling" thread.

I only made one so can't help you with the stacking. I would say that it will be very difficult if you do not use a spiral. One thing I did learn, though. I found a string of battery operated lights and I thought they would be good since we coulb place it anywhere. Turns out, that the battery lights are weak and can barely be seen when lit. If I had it to do over again I would use AC lights.

If I can get a decent picture of it, I will post it.

EarlinJax

[wwalker47]

I was just showing my wife that same project in the mag tonight.

BoBD-

Didn't you use your Sand-Flee to sand the whole thing at one time? Man, I sure looking forward to one of those one of these days.

BobD and Bill-

Let's see some pictures.

-Bill

[Grizz]

Okay,

You can call this a pet peeve, picky or dogmatic. So I'll only share this once (I've got to or I'll go nuts!)

As with most all nativity scenes they always have the wise men there at the Manger... but the reality of it is that the wise men did not meet up with the family until they were in Egypt and Jesus was most likely a toddler.

Whew, I feel better now.

[BobD (Archive)]

The sandflee is here in the office (I haven't taken it back home yet <GRIN>) so I was just careful with the palm sander. One think i noticed about the spirals is that they sometimes pull the fuzzies up into the cut (moreso than other blades) so I spent some time with a modified emery board cleaning out some areas.

Good news, though...the power is back on in the bedroom...just had to re-run power from the circuit box....

Bob

[Bill Wilson]

lichterbogen update

Well, I've been furiously working on this project. I got a few spiral blades locally to keep me going until I can get some FD's. While I'm not terribly pleased with the spiral's, can't get the nice sharp corners like a standard blade, I'm getting used to them and it is making the cutting much easier.

Thanks to everyone responded and also thanks to Mike Moorlach and Tom Sevy for their helpful advice. This project is a challenge for me and I really appreciate the resources that I can access through this site.

I don't own a digital camera, so no way to post pics, but I'll let you know how they turn out.