Portrait

**chrisb691** · 30th June 2007, 09:51 PM

Just finished my first scrollsaw project, and it's a portrait of my mum. Now while I said it's my first one, It's not my first attempt at it. I tried to do this a year ago, but gave up when a piece broke out of for the third time.

I originally tried to make my own pattern, but after 2 weeks had got no where. I asked for help on another forum, and had a pattern 2 hours later. It seems that woodworkers are just plain nice people, wherever you go.

It's cut from 3 ply, on a Ryobi that was on special for $99 a couple of years ago. I used Eclipse 80 tpi X 0.4mm blades, which I bought 200 of some time back ($10), and have been looking for a use for.

Sadly, my hand eye coordination is apparently non-existent. But I'm hoping that will improve with practice. Some of the lines on the pattern were badly out of position.....but I corrected them as I went.

Whilst I managed to get through without breaking a blade, I did have a couple of problems. I struggled to get enough clamping force on the blades to hold them, and stripped a few bolts in the attempt. Also, there's not much working room under the top arm of the Ryobi, and I manage to bend the ends of a few blades. So while I didn't break them, eventually the were too bent to use.

All up, I'm as happy as a pig in poo with the result. Obviously, lots of improvement is possible......but that should come with experience. I've included the original, for comparison.

**DJ’s Timber** · 30th June 2007, 10:04 PM

Fantastic work Chris

, but you could have omitted

some of the wrinkles to make your dear old mum look a few years younger

**hawkinob** · 30th June 2007, 10:55 PM

Well done, I like it. I'm into portraits having seen some around but have no luck with doing a pattern. I use 3mm ply, cut with spirals and finish with a picture frame.
Bob H.

**keju** · 1st July 2007, 10:46 AM

Good job

I used to bend blades trying to thread them in.... think like everything else it's just a matter of practise.... after a while you don't even have to think about it anymore, you just know what's the best postition to hold the wood to get that blade in..... soemtimes turning it to a different side works.
Would think that using ply you'd go through lots of blades since it really dulls them. I tend to keep them in too long.... so nice when I finally put a new blade in.... soo much easier to cut accurate.

I'm wondering...... what kind of ply are you guys using? I tried the stuff Bunnings sells and don't like it ... on thin parts of a portrait some layers splinter off.... not a good look.
Juvy

**hawkinob** · 1st July 2007, 11:59 AM

I've mentioned before that I've been using Bunnings, get a satisfactory (?) result but have been told that Baltic Pine ply is the way to go. Going to save up and try it.
Bob H.

**oges** · 1st July 2007, 03:12 PM

Thats a pretty good effort there, your mum will like it. And yes you will improve as you do more also.

**spring** · 2nd July 2007, 10:16 AM

Looks pretty good to me Chris, great work.

**PATCH3198** · 2nd July 2007, 10:53 PM

Hi Chris
The portrait looks good to me I wouldn't worry about the hand eye coordination it looks like it is working well
I only have one eye and two hands trying to get them in coordination it even harder but with practice you get the hang of it

Regards Patch

**munruben** · 3rd September 2007, 04:27 PM

Looks great to me too.

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