Charley, could you, would you please post a tutorial on the creation of that reindeer? Please
Johnathan,
I don't have a video of doing it, but did make a step by step explanation with photos and posted it on
www.scrollsawvillage.com about 2 years ago. I'll find the links to it and post them for you. I make 4 sizes. I've been making them every year for the past 17 years, except for last year when I had a leg problem and couldn't get to the shop. I'm late getting started this year, but will be making them soon.
My original pattern for these came from Mathias Wandel's website
www.woodgears.ca, but then cleaned up the drawing a bit. I used Photoshop to size it and then place as many copies as possible on an 8 1/2 X 11" sheet of paper. Then cut each pattern pair out and fold between the face and side view. The folding keeps the two images aligned with each other. I use an old HP laser printer, but inkjet will work OK too. There are two views to each pattern, a face view and a side view. You fold the line between the views and then glue the view pair to the edge and face of the block of wood. You then put the wood in a clamp and cut the face view. Then, while keeping the pieces together and aligned, you cut the side view.
When finished, the reindeer is in the middle of the block of wood. You just remove the cut pieces to find him. The smallest take me about 15 minutes to cut. The larger are easier to cut, so I can do them faster, about 7 minutes for the largest, which is several inches high. A good scroll saw that is super tuned is necessary, especially for the smallest. Yes, I do use magnification for the little ones.
This is the smallest that I can make without loosing more in the cutting process than turn out good. This size usually become ear rings. Larger sizes become necklaces, pins, or just sit on a shelf, or with a ribbon, hang from the tree. I have made them 2 sizes smaller than these, but I make more scrap than keepers. At this size, their legs are about the size of tooth picks. Smaller reindeer have legs smaller than tooth picks and very fragile. I use hard maple for these smaller sizes. Pine is OK for those that will sit on a shelf.
I never sell. I give them away during the Christmas Season, to any woman who helps me in some way. Sales clerk, nurse, doctor, waitress, etc. I hold out my hand, palm down, but with the reindeer in it and wish them a Very Merry Christmas". When they hold out their hand, I drop the reindeer into it. I've been hugged and even kissed on the cheek many times, but "thank you" is enough.
The second photo was a full day's production 2 years ago.
Charley
