Would like some advice

[earlinjax]

I cut this pattern by Marilyn Carmin out of aromatic cedar and it is not finished. It is thicker than I would have liked but was afraid to plane it down as I thought I might lose the bark. When I saw the pattern I knew right away which piece of wood I wanted it on. I carefully measured and marked to avoid the knot and proceeded to glue on the wrong mark. Didn't discover it until I had started cutting so the knot ended up exactly where I didn't want it, right under the a. You have to be like Santa Claus and check the list twice. Now I will just have to explain that it was an "artistic enhancement."

Now, for my question. I don't think this calls for a smooth cut edge all around but am kind of stumped as to what to do. I would appreciate your comments. One end (in pic) is rough and jagged. If I could do that on the other end I think it would look nice but don't know how to do it. The bottom will have to stay straight as there is little room for different edge.

Anybody have some ideas, I would like to hear about them.

Thanks,
Earl

[JohnB]

G'day Earl,
That's a very nice cutting complimented by a great piece of timber.
I agree with you that a smooth edge would take something away from the piece.
The rough end looks like it was cut with a very course circular saw.
If you have a table saw you could nibble away at the other end to replicate it, but play with a scrap and be careful.
Perhaps a jigsaw may even do it by cutting very fine slithers part way on the end and then breaking them loose.
Just thoughts.

[Steviegwood]

Hi Earl, just playing around a bit but what about something like this. Steve

[jacks699]

Hi Earl; awesome piece. Steve's idea looks good. I would think any kind of cutting that breaks up the straight line would look good on it. Greg.

[PuzzledMoose]

Perhaps you could scroll saw the edge intially and then roughen it up a little with a dremel ... just a thought ..

I'm trying .. but failing! .. to remember where I read something about craeating "fake" natural edges ..

Nice cutting BTW ..

[lucky788scroller]

The way I 'create fake natural edges' is I loosen the saw table, and as I cut, I slowly tilt my table as I cut back and forth gradually, making an uneven and sometimes natural looking edge. Might be worth a try for you if Stevies thoughts dont suit your tastes. By the way, excellant cutting. Dale

[timber715]

I make bad cuts using a hand saw, makes it look naturally rough . you can try that too. hahahaha.
BTW, thats an awesome piece...

[oops99]

Hey Earl,
I think Steve is spot on with his idea, I see the cut more like this, but that is just my feeling, as far as the rough edge, after cutting the line, maybe try using the biggest scroll blade you can find and while holding the wood up off the table, free hand the cut marks.
It would take some practice, but I think it might work, again, just an idea.
Great cutting BTW.





oops99

[Steviegwood]

Another idea that would enhance the rough edge look would be to tilt your saw and cut the jagged line and do the same on the other side. You sould then darken those edges with a torch if you wanted. Just some thoughts on it. Steve

[Fremmed]

Here's something you might try. I made this box for my bbq tools a while ago. In order to give it a old worn look, I used a wire brush on a electric drill running it over the edge of the wood. The brush knocked down the wood but left the grain a little more pronounced.

BBQBox.JPG