Thread: Jigsaw

what about buying a couple of cheap kids jigsaws and make them up then photcopy the back to get the pattern

If you go to the Scrollsaw workshop and hunt around, I think you'll find that Steve Good has som jigsay patterns on the sit.

Hopefully I'm not too late.... but here are some templates for you.
You can enlarge them or make them smaller to fit your pictures.

Also.... make sure your wood is very smooth when you glue the pictures on... make sure there are no bubbles.... , when dry use good quality varnish....
Use a fine blade so it won't rip your paper.

I put the pattern on the back of the wood.... several ways to do this... you can put masking tape on it, then use a glue stick to adhere the pattern, or you can use something like saral transfer paper to put the pattern directly onto the wood.
Make sure you tape some protective cardboard or paper to the picture side! Turn over... cut away .... peel off masking tape.....

Good luck

You can see the jigsaw models in the shop.

You can see thousands of them right here on line... but it's much easier to use and attach a ready made pattern .... instead of hunting one down and altering it
Juvy

If you go to a news agent and buy a kids colouring in book say about a a3 size they have good simple pictures. trace them onto your ply allow a inch or so around the edge, cut out the picture, cut out the shapes in the picture, paint shapes different colours, glue border (the square retangle bit left) to a thin base board, cut thin ply shape same as your picture and glue into the centre, drill a inch hole through it, so kid can push puzzle out easily and them put your cut out shapes back in you have a puzzle with the picture raised up a little bit. (simple as)

Key to getting it right is to have the projecting portions engage their mates with the far portions larger than the gap closer to the piece.

Removing a glued-on pattern is a PITA. It's easier to "print" the pattern directly on the wood:
* Make a photocopy or laser print of the pattern. Mirror image is usually unimportant.
* Tape or staple one or two free edges of the pattern to the wood, face down.
* Use a clothing iron set at "Linen" or highest setting, to iron the back of the pattern, as much as necessary.
* Then remove the pattern and cut along the lines.

The heat from ironing transfers enough of the toner to the wood.

All this can be done on the back of the wood. The front can be a glued-on picture, or painted directly.

Oh, and secure permission of SWMBO for use of the clothing iron.

Cheers,
Joe

Oh plllllllease you guys...... leave your spouses iron in peace..... as good as it sounds, I don't think I like the fuzzy lines this gives.
Simplify..... I just use masking tape on the wood.... then glue stick to glue the pattern on... when you're done cutting it's very easy to remove the tape.

As for the ease of the puzzle pieces.... use a #7 - #9 blade..... that gives a fairly big gap ( not good for grown up intricate pieces tho)...... if the child is under 3 it's better to make the pieces go in VERY easy.... simply cut a very thin strip around the outline to remove a bit more. Also..... for under 3's..... I'd recommend 3/4" pine..... thicker pieces are easier to handle and harder to swallow!!!!!!!!!

Drilling a hole through the back is excellent... I've done that for years now .... saved the sanity of several mums ..... nothing worse then kids getting upset because their puzzle pieces won't come out. Just make the holes big or small enough so little fingers don't get stuck!
I make mine big enough to stick the back of a pencil through...
Mum will still have to help, but at least little fingers won't have to be rescued
Juvy