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Ever since taking woodshop in high school, Michael Riffel has enjoyed creating small things from scrap pieces of wood. After retiring from the defense industry in 2007, Michael created a shop in his garage in Norco, Calif., and returned to woodworking. More of his work can be found on his website, riffsart.com, or on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/theriff48/.

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I assemble many things that require a flat surface, such as clocks, intarsia, or jointed items. For me, a quick-and-dirty solution was to repurpose an old bathroom cabinet. I put wheels on it and added some drawers. For the top, I used a piece of quality 3/4″ (1.9cm) plywood, which was big enough to provide me some overhang for clamping. I then came across a piece of polished granite countertop at a thrift shop. It provides a hard, flat surface, and any glue that gets on it is easily scraped off with a razor blade. For clamping at a perfect 90° angle, I use square blocks and pieces of metal, but you can buy clamping squares from many sources online.  In addition to adding this clamping station to your list of spring projects, craft a stacked floral candleholder to add to your outdoor decor.

A granite countertop and metal blocks make a great assembly station.

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Into the Woods

Alex Jepson shares nature’s wonder through art that’s inspired by the Canadian wilds

By Dorissa Bolinski

Tooth Box

Sink your teeth into an easy project that will charm both kids and adults

By Rita Cels

Star Bowl

Create an easy celestial vessel to hold your keepsakes

By Dave Van Ess

Under the Sea

Patience and careful organization pay off in this advanced seahorse intarsia project

By Janette Square

Easy Paper Stand

Keep paper clutter at bay while pursuing hobbies or doing office work

By Al Baggetta

Stylish Pendants

Transform scrap wood into an earthy statement necklace

By Roshaan Ganief

Butterfly Trivet

Take flight with ornate fretwork that evokes a breezy summer day

By Sue Mey

Catbird Seat

These cool kitties are taking it all in on a sunny day

By Frederick P. Arndt

Koala Bear Magnets

Practice cutting small segments with a charming little character and his friend

By Brad Eklund and Hazel Trinidad

Fresh Catch

Reel in a stylish ode to a favorite pastime

By Judy Gale Roberts

Giraffe Pencil Holder

Scroll a whimsical desk accessory that will make homework a little more fun

By Al Baggetta

Baseball Ornaments

Hit a home run with some sports-themed decorations

By Sue Mey

The Hive

Get busy with a dramatic ode to the hardworking honeybee

By Charles Hand

Strawberry Alphicons

Sink your teeth into a juicy project for the summertime

By Dave Van Ess

African Elephant

Take a safari adventure with this charming pachyderm portrait

By Wayne and Jacob Fowler

Taking Flight

Soar straight to the scroll saw to create this lively wildlife portrait

By Charles Dearing

Sweet Treats

Kerf details add interest to a craveworthy puzzle

By Jaeheon Yun

Tissue Box

Bedeck a utilitarian item with a fresh botanical design

By Sure Mey

Swan Family

Practice compound-cutting progressively smaller objects to see how low you can go

By Diana Thompson

Decorative Bowties

Custom inlays add a fun look to projects or mask flaws

By George Vondriska

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Designing is an obsession for me. As a kid I sat on the beach in Wisconsin and sketched to the sound of the waves. Now, years later, my options have increased thanks to computers so I’m into doodling, cartooning, animating, and creating 3-D models, but I’m still listening to the waves pound at the beach—this time on Maui. Something about being near the water inspires me.

My designs have their roots in the old engravers, like Albrecht Dürer, Gustave Doré, and William Blake, as well as Art Nouveau and Baroque art. I enjoy the smell and feel of the wood and often imagine I can still feel life within it. Creating something out of wood for utility or beauty brings me a sense of satisfaction that feeds my spirit.

The large open frets make this pattern ideal for beginners. You can use the stylized tulip design in a number of ways. Cut a single pattern to use as a trivet. Stack-cut and group two or more images to make an interesting wall display. Cut four patterns, connect them in a rectangle, and add a bottom to form a luminary. The pattern resizes well, and the simple design is easy to stack-cut from paper to make cards or tags. Before scrolling this floral trivet, create a magnetic blade holder out of scrap wood to keep your blades organized while your scroll.

Materials

• Cherry, 1/2″ to 3/4″ (1.3cm to 1.9cm)-thick: 5-1/8″ x 8″ (13cm x 20.3cm)

• Sandpaper

• Finish of choice

Tools

• Scroll saw with blades: #5 reverse-tooth

An artist since his childhood, Brian Dahlen co-wrote three books of scroll saw patterns with Patrick Spielman. In addition to woodworking, Brian enjoys cartooning and animation.

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Transform a chunk of scrap wood into a custom blade holder. Measure in 1/2″ (1.3cm) from the edge on all four sides. Buy inexpensive rare earth magnets around 1/2″ (1.3cm) in diameter (the size doesn’t really matter). Choose a Forstner bit slightly larger than the rare earth magnets. Center the bit where the lines intersect and drill down to within 1/4″ (6mm) of the bottom. Apply a little glue to the bottom of each magnet and insert them into the holes.

The magnets hold scroll saw blades securely enough to keep them from flying everywhere if you knock the holder over. They are usually strong enough to secure the holder to a metal surface; I put my holder sideways on a metal filing cabinet near my saw. After making your blade holder, start scrolling your next project with this spring-inspired floral trivet.

The magnetized base holds fast to any metal surface, even the saw itself.

This simple blade holder is virtually spill-proof and lets you sort blades by size or type.

Dave Van Ess is a retired engineer living in Chandler, Ariz. He has been woodworking for 45 years and scrolling for 35 years. He is the past president of Arizona Woodworkers in the greater Phoenix area and volunteers his time and resources to providing wood projects for kids. Email him at davevaness21@gmail.com.

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Breaking Away

Artist Meleah Gabhart had to leave it all to find herself

By Dorissa Bolinski

Bobcat Intarsia

Richly figured wood adds a fur-like appearance to this striking portrait

By Janette Square

Ladybug Counting Blocks

This fun toy is a puzzle and learning tool in one

By Sheila Bergner-Landry

Marquetry Napkin Holder

Add a touch of elegance to an everyday item with a leaf design

By Matthew Werner

Butterfly Wall Hanging

A subtle shimmer adds extra interest to this streamlined segmentation

By Marc Anderson

Tulip Bouquet Segmentation

Shape and paint some cheery flowers that don’t need water

By Danielle Wendell

Modern Bud Vase

Welcome spring with a minimalist design to showcase the beauty of nature

By Thomas Haapapuro

Blue Bayou Heron

Customize this wall hanging with various wood and backing colors

By Judy Gale Roberts

Fish on a Stick

Explore the depths of the ocean with this freestanding puzzle

By Brian Beals

Tree House

Relive childhood memories with this cozy clubhouse still life

By Charles Hand

Rabbit Fretwork

Get hopping and scroll this charming portrait

By Charles Dearing

Snowy Plovers

Take a trip to the beach with this sweet pair of shorebirds

By Wayne and Jacob Fowler

Celebrate

Jump for joy with these easy desk sitters

By Jean-Bernard Germe

Axolotl Puzzle

Scroll a charming fellow to put a smile on your face

By Tim Gilman

Baby Animal Puzzles

Scroll a sweet menagerie of little farm friends

By Judy and Dave Peterson

Dizzy Bowl

Scroll a lively statement piece that will make heads spin

By Carole Rothman

Compound Cut Egg

Create a Fabergé-style decoration for the Easter season

By Sue Mey

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Getting Started

Choose a light wood; I prefer 3/4″ (1.9cm)-thick pine. Prepare the blank by sanding progressively through the grits to 220. Cover the surface with blue painter’s tape. For maximum stability, I recommend orienting the patterns with the grain running horizontally across the body. Photocopy the pattern, and then use spray adhesive to secure it to the surface of the tape. Use a small bit to drill blade-entry holes for the eyes and mouth.

Cutting and Finishing

Cut the project on a scroll saw, starting with the facial details. Go slowly and let the blade do the work. Once you’ve made all the cuts, remove the patterns. Then reassemble the puzzle. Smooth the front and back with an orbital sander, and then sand the edges by hand. Stain as desired; I used several shades of Minwax®. Once dry, apply several light coats of a clear gloss finish, sanding lightly between coats.

Materials

• Wood, such as pine, 3/4″ (1.9cm) thick: approx.                      6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ (16.5cm x 21.6cm) 

• Spray adhesive

• Tape: blue painter’s 

• Sandpaper: assorted grits to 220

• Assorted water-based stains, such as Minwax®:                    dark walnut, gunstock, red oak

• Finish: clear spray, such as Rust-Oleum® 2X Gloss

Tools

• Scroll saw with blades: #5 or #7 reverse-tooth

• Drill with bit: small 

• Sander: orbital

• Paintbrush

Sarah Lyn Chamberlain has loved woodworking since age five but did not start scrolling until she purchased her first scroll saw as an adult. She taught herself how to use it and hasn’t stopped since. Sarah enjoys intricate projects, but her favorite thing to create is playful puzzle designs. For more of Sarah’s work, visit her website at creativestuff.ca.

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Set up the blank. Fold the pattern along the dotted line and attach the pattern to the blank with spray adhesive. Drill new axle holes where indicated on the pattern. Use a #44 drill bit. Set the wheels and axles aside for now.

Cut the pieces. Be careful when cutting the thick wood of the Jeep body. Use a large scroll saw blade and do not force the wood into the blade. Round the edges of the hood and bevel the bottom edge of the windshield with sandpaper.

Attach the back fenders. Round the back corners and the wheel wells with sandpaper. Use the photo as a guide to properly align the rear fenders. Attach the fenders to the blank with cyanoacrylate (CA) glue.

Attach the front fenders and inner wheel wells. Use CA glue to attach the front fenders. Then attach the wheel wells behind the seat area with CA glue. The wheel wells will hide the slight gap between the rear fenders and the body of the Jeep.

Shape the front. Attach the front-end pattern to the blank with spray adhesive. Remove the wood around the front axles (the shaded area) with a Dremel flexible shaft tool and a ball-shaped carbide rotary carving bit.

Shape the grill and headlights. Use a small, cylinder-shaped, high-speed cutter to carve the grill and headlights. The flexible shaft of the Dremel lets you hold and use the tool like a pencil, making it easy to carve the details.

Attach the windshield. Apply CA glue to the bevel on the bottom of the windshield and position it on the hood. Cut two short lengths of copper wire, bend them to shape, and glue them to the sides of the windshield and hood for added support.

Attach the front bumper. Center the bumper and glue it in place with CA glue. Then add a bit more CA glue to the windshield-wire joint. The CA glue helps to build up the area between the wire and windshield to smooth the transition.

Shape the seats. Round the corners, and relieve away some of the wood at the bend to shape the seat cushions. Use a small, cylinder-shaped, high-speed cutter. Use CA glue to attach the seats and the rear bumper to the Jeep body.

Dry assemble the wheels. Slide the axles through the wheels and carefully push them into the axle holes. Friction should hold the axles in place. Rotate the wheels to make sure they spin freely. Sand wood away from any areas where the wheels bind.

Treasure from Trash

Landfill remnants are transformed in Ike Wynter’s uplifting statement pieces

By Dorissa Bolinski

Wood Profile: Sycamore

Interesting grain patterns abound in this easy-to-cut hardwood

By Janette Square

Workshop Signs

Lay claim to your space with a personalized plaque

By Wayne and Jacob Fowler

Cocoa Mug Box

Cozy up to this mug of comfort that’s so real you can almost smell the chocolate

By Carole Rothman

Nativity Segmentation

Reclaimed wood lends a rustic elegance to this inspirational piece

By Danielle Wendell

Christmas Truck

Join Santa in bringing home the tree and hone your intarsia skills at the same time

By Judy Gale Roberts

Nutcracker Puzzle

This freestanding holiday favorite is full of vintage charm

By Tim Gilman

Holiday Bells

Ring in the season with this cheerful intarsia ornament

By Brad Eklund and Hazel Trinidad

Classic Fretwork Ornaments

Stuff a stocking or adorn the tree with six nostalgic designs

By Kathy Morawski

Best Mom Signs

Delight a special person in your life with a nature-inspired tribute

By Al Baggetta

Penguin Fretwork

This exotic little bird makes a great shelf decoration for any nature lover

By Wayne and Jacob Fowler

Trumpet Puzzle

Get in the swing of things with this brass band favorite

By Tim Gilman

Layered Ornaments

Recycle contrasting scrap wood to create heirloom quality decorations

By Dan Wilckens

Squiggly Christmas Trees

Harvest a forest of lively decorations from the comfort of your workshop

By Sue Mey

Stylized Bear

A might grizzly commands the forest in this dramatic fretwork portrait

By Charles Hand

Holiday Puzzle

Scroll a jolly Santa with a secret inside

By Jaeheon Yun

Victorian Ornament

Create some sparkle in an entryway with an elegant Star of Bethlehem

By Staff of Scroll Saw Woodworking
and Crafts

Compound-Cut Dreidel

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a homemade take on an age-
old tradition

By Al Baggetta

Wristwatch Clock

Time is on your side with this quick but impressive conversation piece

By Rita Cels

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