Marquetry and inlays are the first thing that comes to mind.

 

It just depends on the style of furniture. Here's a piece that a customer of mine bought and then wanted to place speakers in the cabinet so she needed something acoustically transparent to replace the solid doors. She didn't want to see grill cloth so I suggested an open carving with black grill cloth behind, drew some sketches in CorelDraw for her approval, and began living at my scroll saw. Sorry, these are scans of prints taken years ago and since I no longer have the prints I can't really make the image any larger (their last name began with 'A'). I made the panels to match her piece of furniture rather than cut into her panels.

 

I've had a Delta 16" variable speed scroll saw for a couple of decades. It works rather well, but I think I've used it for two projects in that time.

 

@difalkner
That is an intricate pattern. I'm sure it took a lot of patience.
Really nice.
Thanks for the input

 

@difalkner
That is an intricate pattern. I'm sure it took a lot of patience.
Really nice.
Thanks for the input

Thanks, Tony! Billed them for 80 hours work and they happily paid it. It actually took longer but I stopped the billing at that number.

 

I had a Delta Variable speed Scroll saw I bought about 30 years ago or so. It came with the stand. It was really great but I didnt use it all that often. In my "spare" time I would make earrings from scrap glue-ups, but that was about it.
Right now, I'm thinking it would give me something to do during crappy weather when too cold or damp or whatever to go to the shop. I have hardwood floors in the Apt. and could use it in the dining room and easy to clean the mess. Just have to send my better half to visit her sister across the street. Was looking at the Wen for under $140. It got some decent write ups and price is very good.

 

@difalkner
After starting my own business (at age 40), I have learned a lot. People with money didnt accumulate money by throwing money away. They also have an understanding of what things are worth. And so, if they like something, they don't question the price as in your case - they gladly pay it because your work had a perceived value and from what they saw, it was worth it.

 

With a closer look, it appears that a lot of sanding and sculpting took place also. The little round thingies, are they supposed to be seed pods or just whatever you wanted them to be?

 

The little round thingies, are they supposed to be seed pods or just whatever you wanted them to be?

Grapes? I don't know, I just started drawing and this is how it came out. I took about 3 weeks to carve those two panels and she came in every few days to check on the progress; she was quite pleased.

Here's a better shot of another one I did in the same manner. Vines, leaves, grapes... I guess. I've done 5 or 6 of these for friends and these took about 25 hours each. Resawn Honduras Mahogany cut to about 1/4" thick and then a thinner piece placed around the edge for a little border treatment, finished in Nitrocellulose lacquer.

 

Totally awesome!
Do you have any videos of this?

 

Thanks, Tony! No sir, I did those back when all I did was finish a product and take a photo, no video. If I can find it there is a photo of one of these when I just started the project, though.

Edit - here are a few photos of the process (had more than I realized)

I darkened the berries/grapes with water soluble Aniline dye

 

I'm very impressed. I just dont think I have the patience to stay on one project that long. I'm only 76 now and so maybe I will have more patience when I get older. LOL

 

I know of a 1980 Hegner 22" (I think) for $300 supposedly in good shape. . Sounds like it could be a good deal but I am reluctant to buy a tool over 40 years old. I worry about metal fatigue and parts could be a problem. But still thinking about it. Meanwhile I think I might be better off with a new Wen Model 3923 for $137 from Home Depot. If the Hegner is in tip top shape, should I be concerned about problems in the future, like parts for example?

 

Sounds like it could be a good deal but I am reluctant to buy a tool over 40 years old.

My scrollsaw is a 1944 Delta that I bought from the original owner around 1985. I have replaced a few gaskets, tweaked a few parts, and it runs like a sewing machine. A really nice sewing machine, at that! A very stout machine, too.

It is a pinless type and it is so much better than the pin type vibrator saw (Craftsman) that I had before this one. That first saw didn't weigh more than about 15 lbs. and would vibrate and walk all over the place and there was no telling how it was going to cut each time I used it (not that all pinless types are like that).

It depends on what I'm cutting as to whether or not I use a spiral blade but I have some and have used them. Mostly I use flat, regular blades.

 

I havent used a scroll saw in probably close to 40 years and even I didnt use it very much.
Question: What are the advantages/disadvantages between pin and non-pinned blades?
Question: What are the advantages/disadvantages between spiral blades and regular blades?

 

If you can find a late model Dremel like mine they're pretty decent saws..easy blade changes and variable speed..Just don't use it as a place to put all your nails and screws like I do when I'm trying to straighten up the dump..