Woodworker's Guild Demo - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Sally · 09-06-2009, 02:09 AM

I’ve been asked to present a demonstration of intarsia to one of the woodworker’s guilds I belong to. Below are the things I’m going to cover and pictures. I’ve cut out three Lucille Crabtree’s bears to show progression. I used this project because my grandsons play baseball and I can donate them to their auction. I would love your input – what am I missing??? I will take some of the sanding tools to show them because no one else does intarsia. So I am the resident expert (wink).

Here is the outline:
1. Define Intarsia
2. Pattern sources – page 1
3. Pattern template – w/numbers on pieces
4. Tools
5. Raw cut bear – w/masking tape still on and pieces numbered. Pencil marks on side to show where to shape down to. Discuss tips – run your blade between cut pieces to close gap.
6. Cut, shaped, sanded w/raisers and backing bear.
7. Finished bear
8. Pictures of shop
9. Album of finished intarsia pieces.

jim_mex · 09-06-2009, 02:38 AM

Hi Sally - I know my pal Janette is going to jump on me for spotting this because I didn't make one in the toucan thread, but - Where's the backer?
Maybe you don't need one but its something you could mention as an option to make fiddly pieces a bit stronger and to cover up the backside of projects

Other than that I think you've nailed it

Good luck!

Sally · 09-06-2009, 02:42 AM

Very good point Jim - I'll edit it now.

Fran1942 · 09-06-2009, 04:12 AM

Sally, how about the different kinds of wood to use, from wrc to the more expensive ones. The presentation looks interesting.
Fran

Janette · 09-06-2009, 04:44 AM

Besids just showing a template - I'd discuss the various options for putting the pattern to wood. 1. Trace from pattern (or what I used to do and trace onto clear plastic so I could see the wood grain through it) 2. Cut the pieces of the pattern apart and attach to the wood.

As Jim mentioned the backer, hanger and signing the work.
You could discuss various finishing techniques. Depends on how long you need/want to talk! I did this at our local wood carver guild a few years ago and I thought I was over in no time but it turned out - I'd rambled on for quite awhile!

Make sure you have a watch and a bottle of water. As soon as I started talking it felt like I had a whole package of cotton balls in my mouth

May also want to mention segmentation vs intarsia and encourage people to use woods they have available.

ps...you going to be able to come down for Mt. Angel Oktoberfest (9/17-20) it's not too far south of Portland.

KtownScroller · 09-06-2009, 04:49 AM

Sally the only things I can think of are:

How are you going to attach the pattern to the wood? Spray glue?

Do you place masking tape on the wood before attaching the pattern?

What finish do you use to coat the project? Polyurethane or ???

How do you hang the project on the wall? Saw tooth hanger? Wire?

Sally · 09-06-2009, 02:54 PM

Thanks Fran, Janette and Rick for the good suggestions. I'm printing them out to incorporate.
Janette - I didn't know about the Oktoberfest - I might be ready for an adventure by then. I'll google it and see where it's held. Thanks for the heads up. I assume you are showing there.

Arcy · 09-06-2009, 07:26 PM

To echo Fran, one of the big blocks for intarsia seems to be the "requirement" for expensive and hard to get woods. Definitely mention that cheap woods and scraps are usable and in many cases preferable.

--Rob

Harlan · 09-07-2009, 03:56 AM

I have seen several people suggest using masking on the wood, think for lubrication. This seems to be a bit thick to me. What has worked for me is to fasten the pattern to the piece of wood and then stick the clear wide box sealing tape ( Scotch Mailing & storage Tape) on top of the pattern. This holds the edge of the pattern down and provides lubrication for the blade. If the wood is hard it can be used on the bottom also to provide lubrication for the bottom teeth. It is very thin and slick so it will be flat and smooth on the table.
In step 6 you may want to start the discussion with showing them what is the foreground, mid and background (?) of the piece.

Sally · 09-07-2009, 02:58 PM

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. I'm printing all the suggestions and will add all of them. I tend to think that if I know something already - then of course everyone already knows it too. But it will be good to mention other techniques as I show them what I do. Thank you once again.
PS I don't have to do this until the January meeting. Nothing like being ready ahead of time. I will tell you that when I pack to go on a trip - I'm packing as I walk out the door - so I'm not always so organized.

09-06-2009, 02:38 AM	#2
jim_mex 'Senior' member - no way! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pachuca, Mexico Posts: 1,788	Hi Sally - I know my pal Janette is going to jump on me for spotting this because I didn't make one in the toucan thread, but - Where's the backer? Maybe you don't need one but its something you could mention as an option to make fiddly pieces a bit stronger and to cover up the backside of projects Other than that I think you've nailed it Good luck! __________________ Jim in Mexico “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” -Albert Einstein

09-06-2009, 04:44 AM	#5
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,108 Blog Entries: 4	Besids just showing a template - I'd discuss the various options for putting the pattern to wood. 1. Trace from pattern (or what I used to do and trace onto clear plastic so I could see the wood grain through it) 2. Cut the pieces of the pattern apart and attach to the wood. As Jim mentioned the backer, hanger and signing the work. You could discuss various finishing techniques. Depends on how long you need/want to talk! I did this at our local wood carver guild a few years ago and I thought I was over in no time but it turned out - I'd rambled on for quite awhile! Make sure you have a watch and a bottle of water. As soon as I started talking it felt like I had a whole package of cotton balls in my mouth May also want to mention segmentation vs intarsia and encourage people to use woods they have available. ps...you going to be able to come down for Mt. Angel Oktoberfest (9/17-20) it's not too far south of Portland. __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

09-06-2009, 04:49 AM	#6
KtownScroller So much better :) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,662	Sally the only things I can think of are: How are you going to attach the pattern to the wood? Spray glue? Do you place masking tape on the wood before attaching the pattern? What finish do you use to coat the project? Polyurethane or ??? How do you hang the project on the wall? Saw tooth hanger? Wire? __________________ - Rick

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09-06-2009, 02:42 AM	#3
Sally Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Renton WA Posts: 1,021	Very good point Jim - I'll edit it now.

09-06-2009, 04:12 AM	#4
Fran1942 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 392	Sally, how about the different kinds of wood to use, from wrc to the more expensive ones. The presentation looks interesting. Fran

09-06-2009, 02:54 PM	#7
Sally Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Renton WA Posts: 1,021	Thanks Fran, Janette and Rick for the good suggestions. I'm printing them out to incorporate. Janette - I didn't know about the Oktoberfest - I might be ready for an adventure by then. I'll google it and see where it's held. Thanks for the heads up. I assume you are showing there.

09-06-2009, 07:26 PM	#8
Arcy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle(ish) Posts: 770	To echo Fran, one of the big blocks for intarsia seems to be the "requirement" for expensive and hard to get woods. Definitely mention that cheap woods and scraps are usable and in many cases preferable. --Rob

09-07-2009, 03:56 AM	#9
Harlan Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: La Puente, CA Posts: 35	I have seen several people suggest using masking on the wood, think for lubrication. This seems to be a bit thick to me. What has worked for me is to fasten the pattern to the piece of wood and then stick the clear wide box sealing tape ( Scotch Mailing & storage Tape) on top of the pattern. This holds the edge of the pattern down and provides lubrication for the blade. If the wood is hard it can be used on the bottom also to provide lubrication for the bottom teeth. It is very thin and slick so it will be flat and smooth on the table. In step 6 you may want to start the discussion with showing them what is the foreground, mid and background (?) of the piece.

09-07-2009, 02:58 PM	#10
Sally Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Renton WA Posts: 1,021	Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. I'm printing all the suggestions and will add all of them. I tend to think that if I know something already - then of course everyone already knows it too. But it will be good to mention other techniques as I show them what I do. Thank you once again. PS I don't have to do this until the January meeting. Nothing like being ready ahead of time. I will tell you that when I pack to go on a trip - I'm packing as I walk out the door - so I'm not always so organized.