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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Perth
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    3

    Default Jigsaw puzzle on the scroll saw

    Hi. My first post, so please forgive me if this has been covered before (although I did look). I've started cutting jigsaw puzzles for our grandson, by sticking a picture to a piece of plywood and cutting out simple shapes using the scroll saw. The saw leaves a nice smooth edge on the plywood, but the edges of the paper picture are all frayed and fluffy. Any suggestions on how to avoid that? I'm tried using a plain blade and a reverse tooth blade with no noticeable difference. I've also tried spraying the picture with a fixative before cutting, and painting it over with mod-podge, but again, no difference. Can anyone please offer any ideas?

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Kew, Vic
    Posts
    1,064

    Default

    Hi Mike,

    Welcome to the forum!

    I can’t answer your question from personal experience but this thread My first jigsaw puzzle :)

    suggests there are blades you can buy specifically for puzzles.

    I’ll be very interested to hear what the answer is

    Again, welcome to the forum.

    Brian

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Katoomba NSW
    Posts
    4,770

    Default

    Perhaps another piece of ply or MDF over the picture while you cut it. Make the wood over size so you can screw them together then cut the screws off when you're finished. I haven't done much scrolling yet
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Shepparton
    Posts
    508

    Default

    The best way to avoid the paper problem is to use a sacraficial piece exactly the same as puzzle and I mean exactly the same size or you will be disappointed with the result. To make this process work the sacrificial piece has to be exactly the same size. Use larger material and allow for small nails to join the pieces together. Another way is to use high gloss paper which in most instance wont fuzz up.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Thanks very much Brian. I was aware of the puzzle blades, but after an email to the famous Helen Harris, seller of scroll saw blades, and a timely scrollsaw newsletter article, it seems that the 'modified geometry' blades are the way to go, perhaps also using a sacrificial board over the top as suggested by NCArcher and Matureone. I'm ordering some of the blades and I'll certainly give and update when I've tried them.
    Thanks again.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    3

    Default

    How has it taken me so long to get back to this? I don't know - the things that get between a man and his piece of wood.
    I tried the sacrificial board, but it didn't seem to produce a great improvement.
    I had much more success with the modified geometry blades, and they are certainly the way to go!!
    Thanks again to those who offered help.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Orange NSW
    Posts
    264

    Default

    I would have thought modified geometry blades would have been the last choice because they are very aggressive. I had a lot of success using scroll blades from Helen Harris. I have never used a sacrificial board. It just hasn't been necessary. Just make sure the picture is well glued to the board either ply or MDF.

    John

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Orange NSW
    Posts
    264

    Default

    Just a further comment on the puzzle patterns. When I was make a puzzle from a photo I got a photo print via Office works. By using photo quality paper it stood up to being cut and the quality of the puzzle was very high.

    John

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,139

    Default

    Hello, this is not an answer to your question, just another thought.
    As a former kindergarten teacher I found that having the kids draw a simple pictures of whatever it is they like at the moment.... then cutting that on 3/4" pine ( with Modified Geometry #7 from the famous Helen.... who still gives great advice! - [email protected] )..... these blades leave a nice smooth finish and enough kerf for pieces to slide in and out easy for little fingers. Kids can even paint them like their original. I find they are very proud to have their works of art recreated in wood.

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