Monday, January 25, 2010

Working Widget Technology Custom Wood Inlays






A reader sent me an email a couple weeks ago asking if I had seen a product he saw advertised on the web. He told me about a company that sold small medallion sized wooden inlays that could be customized and used as a signature piece on woodworking projects.

It sounded interesting so I took a look at their site. The name of the company is Working Widget Technology. You can visit their site here. After looking around for a while I emailed the company for a sample.

I received the sample above. The wood choices are cherry, walnut and maple. They could not be more simple to inlay in your project. You use a 1 1/2" Forstner bit and drill to 1/8" depth. Glue in the medallion and finish. I like simple.

The product comes in three styles. Clip Art, Signature and Design Your Own. Each style gives you more or less customization. The Design Your Own lets you send you own artwork for laser etching.

I would say the product looks good. The walnut and Cherry seemed to show the laser etching better for some reason. I would have thought the light maple would have made the laser marks stand out but for some reason they looked lighter.

Now here is the catch. These things are expensive. The Clip Art kit which comes with six medallions and the forstner bit is $39.95. The Signature kit is $44.95 and the Design Your Own is a whopping $49.95. All the kits come with six medallions and the forstner bit. The difference is the amount of customization you can do.

At first I almost talked my self out of even reviewing the product because of the expense. Here is what changed my mind. There are certain projects you build that are special. A fretwork clock with hundreds of inside cuts that takes you weeks to complete. A baby crib for your first child or grand child. A commemorative plaque for a special event in your families life. These are projects that are worthy of a custom signature. I think in that situation I would be happy to use this product. Because of this I give this product a thumbs up.





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Reader Picture Post.

The first eight pictures are from Wes Brooks. These are very nice projects that anyone would be proud to display. Just look at the detail in the train. Thanks Wes for the inspiration.







This beautiful basket was sent my way by The Abman. Looks like Zebra wood, purple heart, oak and maybe maple.
I recently did a tutorial on the product Inlace. It looks like Robert Riggs put the material to great use by adding the inlay material to these wonderful crosses. The turquoise and beautiful hardwood look fantastic together. It sets these crosses apart from the crowd that's for sure. Super work Robert.

Rick also used the Inlace material to inlay these projects with his child's school mascot. I think we will be seeing many more inlay works on scroll saw projects with the addition of Inlace to our toolbox.
The next two pictures are from Pieter. He enjoyed my 3d circle puzzle from last month but wanted to add different characters. Looks like he did a fine job with these sheep dog patterns.

Frank sent me this next picture. It is the dragon plate I designed a while back. Every dragon pattern I make gets a high number of downloads. There is just something about dragons.
David Sylvester sent this business card holder. This is one of my patterns from a couple years back. If you do craft shows make sure you take along some business cards. Don't let potential buyers get away without some way to contact you later. Great job David. The wood looks nice also.
This set of bird plaques comes from Bob Calhoun. Bob always sends me pictures of his work and they never fail to impress. This is the type of work that gets away from the standard fretwork that can be difficult to sell sometimes.
Bill Purcell sent me this set of book ends. Not only is the project very cool it reminds me of my day job. Pushed on one end and pulled on the other. :)



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This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!






https://www.bearwood.com/
Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!


Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties. Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

http://seyco.com/
Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Free Pattern Catalog. 1000's of free patterns.

http://www.stevedgood.com/catalog/

Thousands of FREE scroll saw patterns. No registration or signup required.

The projects form these patterns can be sold without restrictions. The patterns cannot be sold.

Click here for the Free Online Catalog.

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Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make. 

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order. Click the picture to order.
http://www.stevedgood.com/swpd/swpdorderpage.html
You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1
Download the Free Scroll Saw Pattern Printer Version 1.1. Create name patterns in seconds. Windows PC only.
Download Version 1.1
Please consider a $5 donation for The Scroll Saw Pattern Printer v1.1.

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker. Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.
The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed. Please consider a $5 donation for the program.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.
Download the Free Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker. Create Oval key chain patterns in seconds.
Download Version .9a
Please consider a $5 donation for The Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker.

T-Shirts and More.

T-Shirts and More.
Show your love for the hobby and support the Scrollsaw Workshop. Safe and secure order fullfilled by CafePress. Take a look. You are sure to find something you like. CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the store.

The Lifter

Papa's Custom Patterns.

www.papasworkshop.net

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.
Buy This Wonderful Heirloom Puzzle Pattern

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.
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Disclaimer:
The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.

Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts