I just wanted to share a couple of projects I did as Christmas gifts. I stack-cut two sealife puzzles (one for me, one for a gift) and four ornament designs. They're nowhere near perfect, but I was pleased and my gift recipients were impressed. I have some snowmen puzzles in progress now.
I increased the size of the sealife puzzle pattern to make it easier for a newbie to cut. I also decreased the size of one ornament so it would better match the others, and simplified the star pattern because it had too many frets for my level of skill and patience.
Things I learned on these projects:
- Thin plywood doesn't work well for fretwork. At least, not 'til I gain better control.
- Don't get the drill head too close when drilling blade-entry holes or pieces of the pattern will be whirled right off.
- Acrylic paint and oil finish literally do not mix.
- Change the blade often. However often I think, more than that.
- Thread the blade from the top, not the bottom.
- Make sure the pattern is well stuck.
- Hot glue is not the best choice for making stacks.
- Even "odorless" mineral spirits smell pretty bad.
Cheers
Mindy
I moved your thread to a more appropriate forum to maximize traffic and get you more responses to your post.
I increased the size of the sealife puzzle pattern to make it easier for a newbie to cut. I also decreased the size of one ornament so it would better match the others, and simplified the star pattern because it had too many frets for my level of skill and patience.
Things I learned on these projects:
- Thin plywood doesn't work well for fretwork. At least, not 'til I gain better control.
- Don't get the drill head too close when drilling blade-entry holes or pieces of the pattern will be whirled right off.
- Acrylic paint and oil finish literally do not mix.
- Change the blade often. However often I think, more than that.
- Thread the blade from the top, not the bottom.
- Make sure the pattern is well stuck.
- Hot glue is not the best choice for making stacks.
- Even "odorless" mineral spirits smell pretty bad.
Cheers

Mindy
I moved your thread to a more appropriate forum to maximize traffic and get you more responses to your post.
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