Swags complete--a success story

In the third video on swag alignment, I showed a technique to use when gluing up swags to be sure they line up properly. I just completed the project that I used for that video, and am posting a picture of the finished bowl along with one showing how irregular it looked when glued up. The most important thing is to have faith that this method works. Even knowing that it does, I did re-check the glue-up just to convince myself it would be OK. If there's anything that needs further explanation, just let me know.

Video on How to Make a Basic Bowl

I've bumped up this post containing a link to the video I made at Fox Chapel to accompany the swirl bowl project appearing in the Holiday, 2009 issue of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts. It provides such good coverage of the steps involved in making a basic bowl that I wanted to be sure that people who have just recently started checking my blog don't miss it.

Back-up plan for videos

Since some people have been having trouble at times accessing the videos from the blog, I've also saved them on You Tube, and have given the link with each post. Part 2 had to be shortened slightly to less than 10 minutes, but the other two are identical.

I didn't realize that two of parts were listed as "private" on You Tube, but I fixed that up. I think this should solve the problem. Sure hope so--let me know if there are any more problems.

Swag tutorial Part III

Here's the final video in this series. I'll post some additional pictures of the bowl when it's completed, along with some work in progress pictures. Please note two things: first, when using a plywood glue-up for a center ring, the ring is cut with the table level. Second, instructions for using a center ring are in Chapter 6, not Chapter 5.

If the video is not available, you can access it through You Tube

Working with Swags Part 2

Here's the second video, covering the alignment phase. Hope this

clarifies matters, but please email or post any questions you may still have.

If this video is not available, use this You Tube link.

Working with Swags--plain wood and plywood

In response to requests for information about aligning swags and working with plywood, I've made a three-part video tutorial that covers both. Here's Part One. Hope you find it helpful.

If you cannot access this video, use this link to You Tube.

Scroll Saw Fixed--Hooray!

Well, the scroll saw is back, seems fine, and I'm ready to move full speed ahead on all the projects I've been planning, as well as some video tutorials. Now that more people have started making bowls, I'll try to make various tips and suggestions a regular feature. And please don't hesitate to write to me to share your work, concerns, questions, and progress.

My scroll saw is broken

My scroll saw developed a knocking noise which got worse with increased speed. I asked advice on the scroll saw forum and tried the suggested fix--to lengthen the rod that attaches to the tension cam. To my dismay, not only did the noise not go away, but the rod jammed and I couldn't put the saw back together. Fortunately, the shop member who is responsible for repairs called a DeWalt technician, who came on Monday, and discovered that there was a broken part at the rear of the arm which had been causing the noise. He took the saw away, and will be bringing it back on Saturday. In the meantime, I'm using this "down time" to prepare some new blanks so I'll be ready to go. I'm glad I'm under no time pressure, but the empty stand looks so lonely as it waits for the saw to come back.

Sanding Tip #3

Remember to check your rings for flatness before gluing them up. While individual rings have some flex, when it comes to gluing together two ring sets, or gluing a ring set to its base, the lack of flex may result in small gaps, despite pressure from the bowl press. The easiest way to be sure that the gluing faces are flat is to glue a piece of sandpaper, about 150 grit, to a flat surface, such as a granite tile. Use temporary adhesive so you can change the paper. Then rub the surface on the sandpaper and that should solve the problem.