Tree Puzzle

I actually cut this free standing tree puzzle  while ago, over 6 years ago, but it just sat under my work bench and I decided to finally paint it. The pattern is available from

scrollsawer.com/2009/08/12/quick-easy-tree-puzzle/

just click the website name and it will take you to the tree puzzle area. There are other patterns available here:

scrollsawer.com/category/patterns/

It is a fun puzzle to paint simply because all you have to do is pick a brown for the tree part. Then pick 5 random green paints. Take all the tree leaf pieces which happens to be 50 pieces. So I mixed up the pieces that will be green then picked out 5 groups of ten. Painted those 5 groups each a green. When you are done you have the colors randomly about. It makes it harder to actually put together since you can't go by the color since they where mixed up before painting.

It contains 59 pieces I did not like the piece that is supposed to help it stand because it would cause it to rock. So I did not include it in this picture. It free stands better without it.

I used 1 inch thick pine for this. Since I cut this so long ago I honestly do not remember what size blade I used. But I could say it was my standard a #5 ultra reverse flying dutchman. After cutting out the edges where rounded with my dremel using the round over router bit.

Another person leaving at work so another name plate done

Well they just keep dropping like flies at work. People tired of the games and shenanigans by management and how they abuse us. So people are leaving in droves!

This is 1" Red Oak for the back piece and Poplar for the name.

Halloween 2015 Cuts

Spent some time in the shop making some Halloween decorations. These I painted as my wife requested them to be. The BOO was simple one color.

This one TRICK OR TREAT she requested to look like candy corn. This is my effort in that. It was more work then it should have been since I don't consider my self a painter so I know I could have done it with less taping. Next time I will know how to save time. I tend to not paint my stuff but these came out better for it. More looking Halloweenish? Is that a word?

Till next time....

Some name plates

My Manager at work is leaving. At least this time he is leaving to get away from the mess. My last manager went away because of restructuring.  I was manager-less for two days after that one.

So anyway I made him a name plate to take on to his next position. I struggle with clear coats and getting them on properly. I am not satisfied with this finish yet. I will most likely see if I can correct the flaws in it before he gets in later this week. At the worst it will look like it does now. That is why I prefer oils no mess no fuss. But for somethings clear coats is better now if only I could master clear coats.

I created these in Inkscape then print them out and apply to the wood.  It is a free program and for what I do it has more options then I know what to do with! Click the link to see more about it.



Made from 1" Red Oak for the backer to stand up nicely and 1/4" White Poplar for the actual name.

Then a follow co-worker is also departing this week. So I made him one too. He has a nice short name so this is a little small.

Dragon Encounter

OK so I only took 5 years to cut this one. I finally put the pattern to wood and cut. I was not ready when I first saw the pattern to even think I could cut it back then. I was going through all the old magazines and looking at patterns to see if I could find anything to cut and when I saw this one I remembered wanting to cut it but was too afraid my skills would not allow me. So here we are 5 years later and I finally had the confidence ( patience ) to cut it out.

The pattern is by Jacob Fowler and it was from the very good magazine Creative Woodworks and Crafts, which is no longer in business, September 2010. So if you can find that issue you will find the pattern in it. Don't ask for this one it is not mine to give it is still under copyright.