Layering to create interest

This is a close-up of a project I'm currently working on, which illustrates how to generate interest by layering. The center ring started out as a 20-segment lamination from my book--time consuming but not difficult. I added pieces of 1/8" oak on either side, then added 2 pieces of veneer to each side on top of the oak. This blank was already used for another project; the current project was sized to use the remainder. I still have enough left over for something small, and will probably add another layer of 1/8" wood for a different effect.

A Suggestion for Elegance

I've been playing around with veneer, as a less expensive alternative to thin wood, and am pleased with the results. If you want to dress up a basic bowl, cover your blank with a layer or two of veneer, gluing it up well, then cut as usual. The thin lines between layers gives a totally different look for very little extra work. Just be sure that your blank is flat so the layers can adhere properly. If you want to use your bowl press, cut the blank oversize, but small enough to fit in the press, then clamp it tightly.

Drilling the perfect entry hole

If you've ever had problems with your bowl blank "jumping" at the start of your cut on an inner ring, here are some tips that should help.

Four-part video series on sanding scroll saw bowls

Here is the complete four part video series. I've deleted the earlier video posts because of viewing problems. Hope these videos help answer any questions you've had about sanding. If you still have questions, please email me, and I'll be glad to help you out.

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.