Puzzle Help

[scrollin4fun]

OK. I have seen numerous photos and cuts of puzzles here on this site. I'm new to puzzle cutting, but like it alot. I have children and they enjoy working with puzzles.

My questions are:
1. It seems you can take any picture you like, as long as it is proper paper weight. Do you then attach the photo to the wood (with glue?) and cut freehand? Or

2. Are there patterns you can create (and attach over top? on the back? of the wood)?

3. I just finished cutting the alphabet snake puzzle. (don't know have handy you designed it). I will paint and letter it today.

4. Is there a specific site I can goto or a link from here to learn more about it.

Thanks for your help.

Scrollin4fun

[GrayBeard Phil]

To your First question:

Yes, you can take almost any graphic image and attach it to some wood for cutting into a puzzle with the following guidelines (my own guidelines, BTW)

--The adhesive you use to attach the graphic should be a type of adhesive that will not attack the inks on the paper backing. Digital photographic images printed at home are most susceptible to damage from strong adhesives. Many scrollers use Decoupage type adhesives for photos. Additionally, I personally have found a few times the back side of a graphic has a wax coating to make a glossy effect, (or some other type of finish for glossy effect) and that glossy effect will interfere with adhesive; causing the graphic to lift off the wood during cutting.

-- Puzzles are meant to be handled by hands. Thus a top finish coating is usually added to protect the graphic from hand dirt, oils, or moisture. Again, depending on your graphics's ink, some finishes are better choices than others to prevent drastic color changes.

-- There are a couple of schools of puzzle cutting. Freehand, and pattern cutting. The Freehand method usually tries to cut along color lines in the graphic, but not always. To cut with a pattern, you need to attach the pattern to the top of the graphic, but remove the pattern paper afterwards without damage to the graphic or causing the graphic to lift off the wood.
(Aside: If you try freehand without a pattern, do remember to remove the hold-down foot as the hold-down foot will scratch or otherwise the damage the graphic, in my experience.)

-- The selection of the subject matter of the graphic REALLY, and I mean REALLY and TRULY, has a great impact on the finished puzzle. Look for a children's book by Maurice Sendak, the graphics are great for making a puzzle out of. Some other children's books, not so much.

I will let others add their own opinions, and answer you other questions.

[scrollin4fun]

thanks greybeard. Appreciate the feedback.

[Puzzled]

For inspiration check out this website: Custom Puzzle Craft Handmade Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles (one of the most interesting cutters I've come across.
+ YouTube - Scroll Saw Jigsaw Puzzles
+PictureTrail (Carter Johnson makes wonderful puzzles and how he does them is listed .. YouTube - cutting jigsaw puzzles

There are lots of things to see when you google "wooden jigsaw puzzles"

Have a great time exploring

Puzzled

[Carter-Johnson]

Hey, Scrollin......

Welcome to the world of puzzle cutting. Freehand in the only way to go. I am a color line cutter, deliberately choosing pictures or photos that lend themselves to cutting along color lines. Here's a little tutorial I wrote some time ago that explains it step-by-step:

Woodworking Friends - Login

If you have questions, I'm happy to help. You can email me direct at CarterJ636@aol.com

Most important: Have Phun..... Carter

[scrollin4fun]

Carter,

Thanks for the help. This puzzle thing is incredibly phun! My daughter keeps telling me to cut more daddy, more! So, while she is in pre-school tomorrow, I'll take advantage of time off and cut more.

Thanks.

Scrollin4fun