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Wavy Snowflakes by
Kevin Clarkowski -
Pro W.O.O.D., Inc.
Children are taught
early on that no two snowflakes are alike. So, it’s fitting that this
fascinating project is one that anyone, including youngsters—with some
help—can make. To ensure that each snowflake is different, don’t be
exact when tracing the lines for the snowflake or the wavy segment
lines.
I’ve found these
wavy snowflakes to be a popular sales item during the Christmas season.
Most of my customers will buy at least one entire block so they can show
their friends how it was made. The individual snowflakes are used for
more than Christmas tree decorations. I have seen them as kitchen
magnets and displayed on desks, walls and coffee tables. You can build
an inventory quickly by cutting four to five pieces per block.
Step 1 Determine
the height of the cut your scroll saw can handle. This is usually about
2 1/2". Check to make sure that your blade is square to the cutting
table.
Step 2 Using a
palm sander, smooth the boards. Cut softwood blocks using any of the
following: table saw, radial arm saw or chop saw. Usually, a lumberyard
would be able to surface plane both sides of the boards. This would
allow you very little sanding to make a smooth, flat surface from which
to cut the blocks.
Step 3 Photocopy,
at 100% the patterns found with the article. Using a pencil, trace a
snowflake pattern onto the block of wood or spray the pattern—not the
wood—with temporary bond spray adhesive and adhere the pattern to the
wood. Orient the pattern so it follows the direction of the grain.
Step 4 Using a #57
bit, drill the appropriate blade entry holes in the snowflake.
Step 5 On the 2
1/2"-long side, use a 5mm pencil to draw three or four parallel wavy
lines about 1/8" to 1/4" apart.
Step 6 Using a #10
Pebco blade, rip the block into wavy segments. After cutting,
re-assemble the block and then, using some masking tape, tape the block
together on each of the four sides.
Step 7 Now it is
time to cut the inside of the snowflake, using the #3 Pebco blade.
Save the outside cut for last.
Step 8
Using the #3 Pebco blade, make the beginning cut from the outside edge
to the edge of the snowflake. After reaching the snowflake, stop and
place a piece of masking tape over the beginning cut into the block.
This will provide additional strength to the block as you continue to
make the outside cut. Continue cutting all around the snowflake in one
single cut.
Step 9 After the cutting is complete, you will have four or five wavy
snowflakes in the middle of your block. By using such a fine blade, no
sanding is required. Snowflakes can remain unstained or they can be
dipped in a finish of the maker’s choice such as boiled linseed oil,
Danish Oil or Minwax. If dipped, the snowflakes must be blown off using
compressed air (five to ten pounds of air pressure) or drips will remain
in the delicate crevices.
Tips
Selecting Your Wood
When selecting your wood
for the wavy snowflakes project, remember that hardwoods such as birch,
mahogany, maple, oak and walnut will be more difficult to rip than softwoods
such as cedar, hemlock, pine and spruce.
An
Option for Ripping Wavy Segments
Ripping a 2 1/2" block of wood with a scroll saw can be a tedious job. If you
want to speed up this process and add some texture to the faces of the
snowflakes, use your band saw for the ripping. A 1/4" blade with as many teeth
as you can find is best.
About
The Author
Kevin works full-time at
woodworking, having formed his own company, Pro W.O.O.D., (Worthy Of Our Design)
in 1989. The company operated by this Wisconsin native does a variety of custom
work and prototypes. His first article for Scroll Saw Workshop was
“Personalized Desk Set,” Spring 2004 (Issue #14). Kevin has also been published
in Patrick Spielman’s The Art of the Scroll Saw. One of his definitive
bases is on display at the EAA (Experimental Aviation and Aircraft) museum in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Materials
1 piece, 1 1/4" x 2
1/2" x 3" softwood stock (see TIP) yields four or five snowflakes
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About
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