Hello - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

puzzlecraft · 09-16-2009, 05:39 PM

I am John Stokes of Custom Puzzle Craft. I just found out about this board via a message posted on the Google Puzzlement board. I've been cutting puzzles since early 2000, and have made over 800 puzzles. As of this year I've scaled back considerably and am not accepting orders at this time. Yesterday I completed one of the biggest and most elaborate puzzles I've ever made and I dare say anyone has ever made, with a little over 1000 pieces. The puzzle is 31 3/4" x 21" in size and cut in my very fancy "Creative" cutting style. It took me about 70 hours of cutting, spread out over three weeks. I used a 30" Excalibur scroll saw to do the first cut, a 22" Hegner to cut the halves in to quarters and then my favorite saw, an 18" Hegner to do all of the general cutting. A picture may be seen at http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/Evolve/puzzle829.jpg

wood-n-things · 09-16-2009, 05:48 PM

John,
Welcome to the board. That is truly an amazing piece of craftsmanship.

Scrolling Days · 09-16-2009, 06:03 PM

Welcome to the Forum, John! Your work is surely an inspiration and I look forward to exchanging ideas with you.

Thanks for stopping by!

turtleteasers · 09-16-2009, 06:18 PM

Hi, John,

Glad to have you on this board.

Unbelievably great puzzle! Do you have a picture of the back?

Scrolling Days · 09-16-2009, 06:20 PM

Folks, if you haven't done so, I encourage you to check out some of John's stuff on his website. It's just my opinion, but I consider John to be one of the best modern day puzzle cutters in the world. It's an asset to have him on the Forum with us!

puzzlecraft · 09-16-2009, 06:40 PM

Ron,

I just took the puzzle apart! I did take some pictures of the back yesterday but haven't looked at the pictures, yet. This puzzle is #93 of my "100 Puzzles Project" and will go on eBay tomorrow. I expect to post a picture of the back within the auction and will have that picture as well as others when I create a webpage within a few weeks.

John

P.S. I've enjoyed your puzzles, and treasure the little one you gave me last year.

Carter-Johnson · 09-16-2009, 10:01 PM

Hi John...and welcome. Folks, this guy's a pro's pro in the puzzling business. His styles are amazing...Glad you're here.....Carter

lucky788scroller · 09-17-2009, 01:42 AM

Welcome aboard! Glad to have ya!

puzzlecraft · 09-19-2009, 12:39 AM

Ron, I've uploaded a picture of the back side before I sanded it and applied tung oil. Overall the detail showed up better than in the "after" picture. The picture is 20" wide at 72 dpi. http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/Evo...anded_20in.jpg

John

KtownScroller · 09-19-2009, 01:08 AM

You have the patience of a saint. Very well done puzzle!

09-16-2009, 05:39 PM	#1
puzzlecraft Puzzle Cutter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 5	Hello I am John Stokes of Custom Puzzle Craft. I just found out about this board via a message posted on the Google Puzzlement board. I've been cutting puzzles since early 2000, and have made over 800 puzzles. As of this year I've scaled back considerably and am not accepting orders at this time. Yesterday I completed one of the biggest and most elaborate puzzles I've ever made and I dare say anyone has ever made, with a little over 1000 pieces. The puzzle is 31 3/4" x 21" in size and cut in my very fancy "Creative" cutting style. It took me about 70 hours of cutting, spread out over three weeks. I used a 30" Excalibur scroll saw to do the first cut, a 22" Hegner to cut the halves in to quarters and then my favorite saw, an 18" Hegner to do all of the general cutting. A picture may be seen at http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/Evolve/puzzle829.jpg

09-16-2009, 05:48 PM	#2
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,478 Blog Entries: 1	John, Welcome to the board. That is truly an amazing piece of craftsmanship. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

09-16-2009, 06:03 PM	#3
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,214 Blog Entries: 5	Welcome to the Forum, John! Your work is surely an inspiration and I look forward to exchanging ideas with you. Thanks for stopping by! __________________ Shawn Ferguson Come visit at The Ferguson Puzzle Company !

09-16-2009, 06:18 PM	#4
turtleteasers Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 48	Hi, John, Glad to have you on this board. Unbelievably great puzzle! Do you have a picture of the back? __________________ Ron www.turtleteasers.com

09-16-2009, 06:20 PM	#5
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,214 Blog Entries: 5	Folks, if you haven't done so, I encourage you to check out some of John's stuff on his website. It's just my opinion, but I consider John to be one of the best modern day puzzle cutters in the world. It's an asset to have him on the Forum with us! __________________ Shawn Ferguson Come visit at The Ferguson Puzzle Company !

09-16-2009, 06:40 PM	#6
puzzlecraft Puzzle Cutter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 5	Ron, I just took the puzzle apart! I did take some pictures of the back yesterday but haven't looked at the pictures, yet. This puzzle is #93 of my "100 Puzzles Project" and will go on eBay tomorrow. I expect to post a picture of the back within the auction and will have that picture as well as others when I create a webpage within a few weeks. John P.S. I've enjoyed your puzzles, and treasure the little one you gave me last year.

09-16-2009, 10:01 PM	#7
Carter-Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 740	Hi John...and welcome. Folks, this guy's a pro's pro in the puzzling business. His styles are amazing...Glad you're here.....Carter

09-17-2009, 01:42 AM	#8
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	Welcome aboard! Glad to have ya! __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

09-19-2009, 12:39 AM	#9
puzzlecraft Puzzle Cutter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 5	Ron, I've uploaded a picture of the back side before I sanded it and applied tung oil. Overall the detail showed up better than in the "after" picture. The picture is 20" wide at 72 dpi. http://www.custompuzzlecraft.com/Evo...anded_20in.jpg John

09-19-2009, 01:08 AM	#10
KtownScroller So much better :) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,665	You have the patience of a saint. Very well done puzzle! __________________ - Rick

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode