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General Category => Intarsia => Topic started by: Intarsia92 on April 16, 2011, 05:40:04 pm
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This new Intarsia will be for my Grandson, that has received his Black Belt in Shao Lin Kung Fu and I?ll show work in progress by filling in the pattern as I complete each section. Hopefully it all turns out OK, if not it'll make good fire wood. LOL
I have the pattern sketched good enough to start, but I'll probably make a few changes as I go.
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Going to look great if you apply your usual care.
I zoomed in on the pattern, I'm curious what the numbers signify?
G
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The numbers don't mean a thing anymore, I thought maybe I'd work on each numbered section in that order, but that's already changed. Once I get started I don't pay much attention to my doodling. I normally don't make a pattern; I work straight off the picture. All that matters is the basic outline shape of each section.
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Looking forward to this work in progress from you Al. This should be fun!
Will the Dragon be part of the project?
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looks good Al, can't wait to see it come all together and the finished product.
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Dan, the Kung Fu Intarsia was made for David to give to his Kung Fu Master as a gift when he received his Belt.
It's 24" Dia.
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Al. How do you get the clothes crease lines from the picture onto your paper. Do you draw them in as well as the outline or use a program?
Jim
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This is going to be as much fun as watching Malc build a clock. Thanks for a section by section posting of your work. Thanks Al.
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First off I know it will turn out awesome just like the rest of your work. Second, thanks for giving us a play by play of this project. I'm sure everyone will really like seeing it go from paper to art, and probably learn something along the way.
Thanks for including "us". ;D
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Jim, to create the pattern for this Intarsia I first used Photoshop to erase the background from the picture I used of David, leaving just his image. I then used a software program, ?Poster Print? for Mac to print out the image, enlarging it to 24? tall, the size I wanted to make the Intarsia. (If I had used my PC I would have used ?Poster 8? software). The printed image consisted of (12) letter size sheets that I taped together to make, what I would now consider, my pattern to work from, however, for this Intarsia went a step further and used tracing paper to trace the enlarged print to make the final pattern. I was able to see the creases in the clothing thru the tracing paper, so it was easy to add the main ones to the pattern.
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Al. Thanks for the info.Looking forward to the step by step of your project.
I will take a front row seat.
Jim
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I am going to complete the sanding/shaping for each section as I go, so when the sections are done the Intarsia will be ready for the backer and with after final touch-up I can spray the poly and put the key-hole and penny in the back side.
I slanted the scrollsaw table about 7 degrees to the left and fed the material counter-clockwise when cutting the cutouts which lowers them about 3/32". (I sand them down before gluing them back in place)
Here's the first completed section.
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Very cool Al!
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Al. By slanting the table to the left are you back cutting into the wood?
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Woodcutter, I'm not sure what you mean by back cutting, but here's Examples of what I meant.
Example 1 shows table slanted to the left and I'm starting the cut on the right side of the pattern line.
Example 2 shows results, i.e. you'll get about 1/8" drop, using a #3 scroll saw blade.
Example 3 shows table slanted the same direction, only starting cut on the left side.
Example 4 shows results, i.e. instead of the piece dropping it raises it approx 1/8"
I hope this is clear, Al
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This'll be a nice looking project Al, like all your work.
You do take the time to give great answers to us newcomers.
Much appreciated.
Randy
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Here's the second section.
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Hi Al. So the pieces that you have cut in this block of wood will still be used as part of that block of wood. You are just raising or lowering those pieces that you cut?
Jim
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Hi Al. So the pieces that you have cut in this block of wood will still be used as part of that block of wood. You are just raising or lowering those pieces that you cut?
Jim
Hi Jim if you click on the link of the second photo, then zoom in you can see how the grain and color of the wood enhances the finished piece.
Gabby
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Yes Jim, for this Intarsia I'm simply cutting the sections out, lowering them and gluing them back in place. What I'm trying to show is how easy it can be to create a good looking Intarsia and maybe more people will not be so hesitant on trying to make their first Intarsia. I'd love to see a greater participation in this section of the Forum.
Al
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Wow Al, thanks so much for taking the time to show this to us, I can't wait to see the end result, I know that it will be magnificent like all the rest.
Bruce ;D
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Here's one more section completed.
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Thanks Al. What color wood did you use for the sleeve/cuff,it looks white.
Jim
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Wow Al like all your work this is looking outstanding for sure I can't wait to see it done I[flash=200,200] almostwanna try to do Intarsia.
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Jim, I used Aspen and put a light coat of white wash over it to keep it white, same as I'll do for the white in the shoes.
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Al, When you saw white wash, what do you mean specifically?
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Dan, when I use Polyurethane as a finish it has a tendency to turn white color woods yellow, so I use take White Acrylic paint and water it down enough to allow the grain to still show through and paint the piece of wood I?m working with and hopefully it stays White much longer.
Until they came out with a water-base polycrylic, polyurethane is all I used, so It became a habit to paint the wood and I guess that?s the reason I still do.
I prefer to use Polyurethane, unless I am working on a piece where there is a lot of light color woods, because it brings out the colors more, although I have used Deft, Clear Wood Finish, Satin on several recent Intarsia's and like it a lot. It's a Lacquer and dries much faster, so I can give all the coats it needs in one day.
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Thanks Al.
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I won't show the individual pieces for these three sections, I'm sure you have the idea now.
I should finish cutting and sanding the Intarsia tomorrow, except for the backer and spraying the final coats of poly.
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Wow Al this peice is looking better and better with every new cut you do... I can't wait it is killing me to see the finished work of art.
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Pictures show the pieces cut and sanded for David's Head and the the Intarsia complete except for Backer and final Finish.
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Wow Al, That is so cool! Thanks for the work in progress!
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I was able to completer the entire Intarsia today so here it is.
1. Before putting the finish on it I placed it on a piece of 3/16" ply and traced around the entire Intarsia to make the pattern for the backer.
2. Cut out the backer.
3. Using a Branding Iron stamped my name on it, then drilled a shallow 3/4" hole to put this year's penny into, showing the year the Intarsia was made.
4. The finished Intarsia.
Please let me know if this exercise has been any help.
Al
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I am really amazed by how easy you made this project look. You did a fantastic job with it. Thanks for sharing the process
MrsN
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Excellent Al! Beautiful project! One question. Do you under cut the backer or do you cut it the exact size of the finished piece? I usually under cut the backer so the edge of the plywood doesn't show.
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Gosh Al, I just can't tell you how good that looks. I've never done intarsia before, but after watching you do this one and seeing some of your other work, I think I'm going to give it a try. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Kim
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Excellent job Al. And thanks for sharing all the step by step details that you went through to make this project.And answering questions as well.
Jim
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Dan, I used to undercut the backer when I first started, but for the past dozen years I cut just inside the the line I've traced around the Intarsia. I think it's a matter preference and to me it doesn't look that bad to see the backer's edge from the front side and looking at the Intarsia, from the back side, I think it looks more finished.
I also used to paint the whole backer edge dark brown, which I no longer do and it hasn't made a difference as far as people wanting them. You have to get pretty close to even see the back edge of the Intarsia.
I don't think there is any right or wrong way, it's whatever pleases you.
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Wow Al that is simply art work simply Fantastic and awsome I'm sure he will love it. I am still at the ALMOST area lol However you did make it look as if anyone could do it, You made it look so easy.
Thanks for all the tips and the share.
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Al, thanks so much for the cut by cut breakdown of the intarsia. Great job as usual. It takes me forever and you make it look so simple. I think it's time to give it another go.
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Al, I've been glued to your instructional process like the read of a great novel. Your modesty regarding how wonderful your work is reminds me of the story of a sculptor. A sculptor took a large rock and began the process of creating a statue. Once his project was complete the townspeople commented that he had created a masterpiece. The sculptor replied that he did no such thing. He said the statue was always there I just chiseled away the rough edges.
I don't think you realize just how talented you are. You've managed to eliminate the fear most of us have in trying Intarsia for ourselves and for that I say thank-you.
Louis
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WoW, Al, you are truly a master!!! Thank you so much for showing everyone the techniques and the process of building your intarsia project. I'm sure that this has, at the very least, planted a seed in peoples minds that great things can come from a few pieces of wood and a little paitence. What a great idea that is to put a penny in the back to signify the year... Simply amazing...
Bruce ;D
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Thanks for the kind words. I only hope that everyone can get get half the satisfaction out of making something people cherish that I do!!
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Al, that is absolutly amazing. Very good instractions.
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Al. Are the arms a little bit darker wood or stained darker?
As always Great job, you are a master of Intarsia.
Jim
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Jim, the whole body was cut from the same board and looking at it, half of the board was a little lighter shade than the other half, so I cut the arms and legs from the darker side and the back pieces from the lighter side because, as you can see on the original picture I used, David's back, in the picture, was lighter than the rest of him.
However, if the board had been all the same shade I probably would have still cut all the pieces from it, because other boards I had on hand would not match at all.
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Thanks Al. I did notice the arms were a different colour but didnt know how you got the two colours.
Jim
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Al...can you hear that...it's everyone standing on their feet clapping and giving you a standing ovation. Everyone has already said it, but I'll say it again...WOW! You did an amazing job and made it look so easy as only a professional can do.
Thank you so much for sharing, and giving the play by play to go with the project. You definetly opened the curtain a bit to show us the mystery behind it. Thank you.
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What would really be cool is if Russ or Steve or whoever else are moderators, could preserve this tutorial so the photos wouldn't get deleted as is normal after a short time. I know they do that to free up bandwidth, but it's worth saving.
Gabby
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That came out great. I hope my intarsia projects come out half as good as yours. By the way, thanks again for sharing your method with me. I completed cutting another pattern yesterday and I will be shaping today. I will post pics when it is completed!
Nick
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Seeing intarsia work is what got me interested in the scroll saw in the first place. Thanks very much for showing the steps and how to get the pieces to lower or raise to add interest to the piece. I will be trying to make some smaller projects soon.
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Just saw what I missed by not being around that much lately. This is absolutely great. Thanks Al for the progress reports and answering all the questions.
The end product look a super!
David