Christmas A Newsletter of South Oz Scrollers Inc – Volume 7-2 April 2013 Editor: Neil Schulz email: [email protected] Tel 0428 588 912 Website: www.woodgroupsa.org.au/sozscroll MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE PRESIDENT David Chaplin Phone83770529 Email: [email protected] VICE PRESIDENT George Baldock Phone 82702705 Email: [email protected] SECRETARY John McTier Phone 82981949 Email: [email protected] TREASURER John Blencowe Phone 83839262 Email: [email protected] COMMITTEE Theo Kampes Phone 82783320 Email: [email protected] Graham Hawkins Phone: 82645395 Email: [email protected] Mike Donnellan Phone: 83700108 Email: [email protected] OFF THE PRESIDENT’S SAW Hello everybody and welcome to the April edition of the Scroll Saw Chatter. Not a lot has happened for me regarding my scroll saw since last time due to my current work pressures. While browsing around the airports, as I have been travelling overseas for work there was precious little in artwork that could be seen, and the closest thing to a scrolled item that I saw we're some interlocking angel’s wings, pressed out of leather, for sale for 120HK dollars. Graham Hawkins conducted a demonstration on how to make patterns from photographs using Photoshop on the computer and it was the first time I had seen all of the members so focused on a demonstration. Usually there are one or two ratbags making a comment or having a bit of a chat, but Graham had everybody totally rapt with the content and the presentation. My thanks and congratulations to Graham and I think we may see many purchases of Photoshop and hopefully a lot of patterns derived from photographs at Scroll and Tell in the future. There are a lot of upcoming activities and it was excellent to see all the items brought to show and tell this month, all of which are eligible for THE BEST OF SHOW AND TELL at the end of the year. The committee has solicited from our suppliers prizes for this year’s event, so remember you have to be in it to win it, typical prizes are shopping vouchers for scrolling accessories, e.g. pattern books, and saw blades, all of which are very useful to members. Remember, that if you present an item at scroll and tell, that item will be eligible. This year’s sponsors are:- WORKSHOP COORDINATORS (Tuesday) Mike Donnellan (Saturday) David Chaplin WORKSHOP DATES May 2013 Saturday 18th Tuesday 28th June 2013 Saturday 15th Tuesday 25th Also, I highly recommend that anybody who can, enter the Adelaide Royal Show art or woodworking competitions prior to July this year. It is lots of fun, very rewarding and helps promote our craft, about the best way I reckon available for us at the moment. Don Isam and I were able to cover our costs with our prize money last year, with some pretty good bragging rights. As discussed at every workshop, we still need many volunteers to help out if we are going to demonstrate at the July Building & Home Improvement show this year. Please keep your eye on the website to see updates on the year’s program for workshops, events and activities There will also be a committee meeting in early May, so let your committee members know anything you would like discussed. David Chaplin 2 IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED, TRY AGAIN. By THEO KAMPES “THE SCROLLER FROM OZ” Approximately seventeen years ago for the very first time I happen to have observed a motorised scroll saw demo., whereby I couldn’t resist the eventual urge to procure what appeared a rather versatile machine as a useful supplement to my varied wooden toy making interests at that time. My initial basic attempts at cutting with the new Hegner MultiCut1 14” produced some very crude and poor results and thereby persuaded me to re-pack the little saw back into its carton and store it under my workbench indefinitely. For the next two years it remained untouched until which time my conscience again persuaded met to at least try again to achieve something worthwhile from my impulsive cash outlay. However this time I was determined not to let the machine get the better of me and decided to explore and find some experienced facts and tips via the limited informative literature available back then. During my personal early scrolling days, we didn’t have the luxury of obtaining training or firsthand experience from any clubs within Australia because scroll saw groups to my knowledge then didn’t exist. Well of course that was many years gone by, and those of you who have now got to know me through contacts within the club would be well aware that yes I have since practiced and learnt, also suffered lots of mishaps during those earlier years, but hopefully by now gained sufficient St Theodor’s Cathedral scrolling skills to Theo’s First Major Project be able to share some of the knowledge which could be vital in assisting other scrollers achieving that elusive uniquely appealing project. People often stare in awe and wonder, “How can someone create and achieve such intricate precision with such a remarkable finished pleasing appeal?” The success of any scroll saw project lies not only in one’s ability as a scroller, but also with crafty timber selection and effective preparation thereof. Choose the best timber you can afford that suits your particular project, avoiding any visible defects and possible knots which could detract in its final appearance. Whether you select a natural timber or a quality plywood (laminated timber) no matter how good it may appear, always prepare by sanding both surfaces smooth. Once the excess dust is wiped clean the timber is ready for the pattern to be applied. I prefer good quality spray glue such as 3M repositionable adhesive, it’s not cheap but it works more effectively and economically than cheaper brands. Spray the back of the pattern sparingly but evenly, then wait for approx. half to one minute for the glue to feel tacky before attaching the pattern to the wood. Do not spray glue onto the wood itself. Drill small entry holes to suit your selected blade to proceed with all internal scrolling. Correct blade selection for type and size is an important factor to achieve the desired precise and appealing result. It’s important to run your saw at a preferred higher speed which results in smoother intricate edges of the project abolishing any need for internal sanding. When removing the pattern it is essential to rid any excess glue from the timber with shellite or other mineral solvent, otherwise the glue will clog up any fine abrasive cloth being used, or if left on timber will affect the final finish. I always sand both front and back scrolled surfaces using a palm sander with at least 400grit fine abrasive. Blow out any excess dust prior to assembly or application of any staining or finish of choice. In all instances always apply a light but even first coat of lacquer or similar finish, when dry sand again lightly with 400-600grit cloth abrasive and repeat with a second and if you think necessary a third and final coat. Instead of brushing I prefer to spray delicate intricate pieces held at a 45 degree angle, which enables the finish to penetrate the internal edges covering the otherwise visible, bare cut-out. In writing this article I hope you might enjoy sharing a few of my personal experiences and comments and possibly feel inspired enough to expand your own scroll sawing pursuits to the next level. Being a fellow SOS member benefits us all to gain exceptional scrolling knowledge, simply through asking, answering, listening and observing in a regular shared workshop environment available within our club. Looking forward to seeing you there. PORTRAITS Graham Hawkins delivered an interesting and encapsulating session on developing a scroll saw pattern from a digital image to participants of both the Saturday & Tuesday Workshop. Graham opened each session advising members that while the process is simple it is demanding in its detail and requires a degree of 3 creative skills to achieve a lifelike pattern of the original image. He uses Adobe Photoshop 7, and older version of a photo editing software for his process and indicated that any software with editing features would more than likely be able to achieve the same results. By selecting what aspects of the image you wanted to use, using different tools within the software to remove unwanted background, changing the image from colour to black and white and improving the contrast between black and white it was quickly seen that a likeness to the original was in broad terms produced. From that point on the tedious work of removing detail in the photo that wasn’t required, joining sections of the photo so that they “created a path” meaning they hung to the subject and surrounds of the image and sharpening the outlines of shaded areas began. He suggested to the groups that getting the detail of the eyes, nose and mouth and other facial features correct was the first thing to consider as it probably dictated whether the resulting piece would be lifelike or not. Graham and Neil had been looking for ages for a solution to find a process that could highlight cut outs that didn’t have a pathway connecting them to the adjacent pieces and would “drop out” of the pattern when cut. They had been looking for years and new members Brad Berwick showed them quickly how simple it was. Thanks Brad. How much detail you wish to keep in the resulting image was of personal choice and how creative you wished to become in manipulating an image you are happy with. Members wanting to try can download free software from the net. Search for GRIM. CARING GIFTS After a lot of research, community contact and discussion, development of patterns and sourcing timber we are ready to start this year’s project. This is the project. We are expecting to cut at least 200 butterfly bud vases which will be used as a memoir for the families of elderly persons in aged care. Neil Schulz gave, much to Noreen’s glee, most of his offcuts of veneered MDF board, equaling about a sheet and Doug Martin sourced some offcuts of dark veneered plywood, sufficient to set up about 240 vases. While the veneered plywood has some flaws in it most of these have been cut out to create panels of which one makes a bud vase. These are bundled in layers of three and prepared in packs. This year timber is going to be issued to individuals and the club expects that the timber will be returned as an assembled bud vase, or if you have mucked up the bits and pieces or as the original stack if not used. Your name will be recorded when the wood is taken and when the articles are returned. Because there is little thickness of veneer (0.6mm on the MDF veneer board) to play with we are not going to sand prior to cutting. Sanding will be done before assembly. So here is a process that you can use for the project this year.  Set up each stack of material by taping around each of the edges. The panels are cut 300mm x 180mm. While the stencil is only 150mm wide the extra width and length of each panel gives you some flexibility to be able to move the pattern on it to make the best use of the top surface and avoid blemishes generally only in the top board.  The stencils are marked A & Band make up the vase. Each stencil is different in the design of the cross halving joint. Both A & B need to be cut out of the one board and when cut kept in their pairs.  Given that the internal cuts are large, drill a 3mm entry hole to make piercing the blade much easier.  If there are blemishes, small cracks or holes on the cut face, either side, these need to be filled before sanding.  Use a #5 reverse tooth blade. This will avoid chip out on the underside. Cut the internal sections first. It is important at this stage that you do not cut the cross halving joint. These need to be left to last and cut precisely so that joint fits very snugly. Loose joints won’t hold therefore the lines of the pattern need to be adjusted to suit the thickness of the material. Take care noting where you need to cut in relation to your line to make a neat and firm fitting joint. Being just 3 and 4mm thick material a bit of sanding of the edges of these joints to make the good fit is better than cutting outside the line and having a loose fitting joint..  Once cutting is complete sand both sides of each piece using 400 grit sand papers. Be aware that the more you take off during sanding the sloppier the cross halving joint becomes so keep this in mind when cutting the joint. This will be minimal if you use the 400 sand paper.  Once sanding is satisfactory proceed to glue the half housing joint. Using a damp cloth wipe away all excess glue with a damp cloth so that glue marks are not shown when the finish coating is applied. Make sure all four feet of the vase rest evenly on a smooth surface.  If when cutting and sanding is finished, you are unsure about the quality of your cutting or concerned with some other aspect of assembly do not assemble the vase and return it to your next workshop for advice. A good guide is if you 4 aren’t happy to have it in your own home then it isn’t good enough to give to anyone else.  If you want more information on “stack cutting” then go to the our website in the members only sub site and look under “Tutelage” Given the show of hands at both workshops members have led the committee to believe that members want to and are willing to be part of it. These are going out into the community so the quality of the finished product needs to be at least good. Smooth out your curves, neat fitting joints and good sanding will result in a gift that anyone would want. We’re ready to go at the May workshops. NEW MEMBERS Welcome to two new members. Bill Tiss and Brad Berwick who are our two latest members having both joined at April’s Tuesday workshop. Their details are as follows Bill TISS Partner Barbara 20 Stradbroke Ave PLYMPTON PARK 5038 Phone 418816805 email: [email protected] Brad BERWICK Partner Adrienne P.O.Box 12 SUMMERTOWN 5141 Phone 427475862 Email: [email protected] Welcome to the Club guys and we hope you enjoy your membership. Keep asking questions, there are plenty of people who are willing to guide and help you improve your knowledge and skills. “Tools+ More Show – in July” The Club is still looking for volunteer members to demonstrate at this show from July 19 - 21, 2013 at the Adelaide Showgrounds. Ideally the club is looking for enough people to work the saws as well as a floater to answer patron’s enquiries. While the organisers have a few names they are still looking for more. Half day modules are available for those who can’t offer a full day. If you can help please advise your workshop coordinator in May at the latest. NATIONAL EXHIBITION The Australian Scrollsaw Network has announced that its biannual exhibition will be held in 2014, hosted by the Wangaratta Woodworkers Inc at their showground’s in Wangaratta. It will be held on the weekend of 3rd & 4th of May. To enter the exhibition scrollers must be a member of the Network which costs just $15.00 per year. People wanting to know more about the national scene can go to the Australian Scrollsaw Network website where it will find out more about the association and be able to download a membership application form if they wish to join. “SCROLL AND TELL.” Franky Pastuch showed the finished product of a toy she makes for charity. Using Velcro dots a child can change the clothing on the doll as they wish. Some time consuming painting among this lot. Fred Bear presented a puzzle with a sea creature theme, talking about the improvement in his cutting ability when comparing this project with the first one he cut after joining the Club twelve months ago. John McTier following the opportunity to see a bone carver in action tried his hand at scroll sawing bone and inlaying pau shell. The bones used are from the shin or upper leg of cattle. He used a Dremel to carve the shapes of the articles and the recess in which he inlaid the shell. Pau shell comes from New Zealand and he was fortunate to possess some small pieces. Something new using different techniques which is pleasing to see. Kevin Rundle crafted this dove clock as a present to a couple of friends who were celebrating a significant milestone of their marriage. A mirror backing to the piece contrasted with the silhouette and the clock was and insert. A plaque attached to the bottom of the project gave details of the occasion. FUTURE EDITIONSOF THE NEWSLETTER Well it’s time for me to “hit the road” on the annual trip north to NT & QLD leaving on 20th May. I am prepared to produce the newsletters every two months but I don’t know from where. Not being around the Club I will not have any personal knowledge, photos or notes to work from. If I have no content available and no one is passing anything on there will be nothing to report and therefore no newsletter. I am now learning Windows 8 which is a mammoth learning curve making the task more frustrating. What a difference to previous versions. See you in October. Editor 5