These 2 clocks are too big to cut out with the scroll saw. I need some stiff clear something or other to cover the pattern  so I can use a jig saw to cut the outside of the clock away from the wood. Then remove that so I can use the scroll saw with the thin blades on the carving pieces....I have some sheets of plexiglass but what I have is 1/16" or thicker..

 

 

and the experience with a jig saw and plexiglass is not good. 

 Anybody know of something a smidgen of an inch thick a jig saw can maneuver over and still see what it is I am trying to do.  I can't glue it down for I have to remove it so the scroll saw can cut out the carving pieces.

  I've spent two days looking over the internet confusing myself and just happen to think there are smarter jokers than I who probably use something like this every day. Help!

My wife bought a sheet of flexible poly something for rolling pastry on. 

Something like these but w/o the border. And, she didn't pay that price either. Think she got it at Wal-Mart.

Or, how about heavy duty cling wrap like this.

Edited September 28, 20178 yr by Gene Howe

Good morning Jess.  What purpose does the clear something serve? Will you have to glue it to the board to keep it stabile while you use the jig saw?

Check out this web site to see if anything strikes your fancy:

https://www.grafixplastics.com/materials-plastic-film-plastic-sheets/looking-for-acetate-film-and-sheets/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Acetate Products - New&utm_term=acetate sheets&utm_content=Acetate - Exact

 

I have a few sheets of acetate that came from a print shop.  It is not flexible like a plastic wrap, it is thicker and more like a very thin plexiglass.  I would be happy to send you a piece if you would like to try it.  

I use it to cover the glass in my sandblasters.   

Cal

Gene I need it more rigid and not to bunch up as I push the jig saw over it. 

 

Cal I just didn't know where to go to look at something thin and stiff and be able to see through so I would attach it so it can be removed after I cut the outside of the clock away from the other wood. Small nails here and there so it it will stay put while running the jig saw.

   The jig saw probably won't go in all the tight places but if I remove most of the wood I could go back and use

 the scroll saw on the exact lines.

   I found when carving this stuff, no one knows if a person stayed on the lines or not so exact in not that important..... Kinda like the old carpenters use to do. If he got to with in a 1/4" of the other wall studs, long or short, he was happy.

What about Staples or Office MAx. They have a copy/print service. Maybe they could do a large format copy/print to paper and then use contact cement to fix the pattern to the wood? Just thinking out loud here.

17 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

Gene I need it more rigid and not to bunch up as I push the jig saw over it. 

 

Cal I just didn't know where to go to look at something thin and stiff and be able to see through so I would attach it so it can be removed after I cut the outside of the clock away from the other wood. Small nails here and there so it it will stay put while running the jig saw.

   The jig saw probably won't go in all the tight places but if I remove most of the wood I could go back and use

 the scroll saw on the exact lines.

   I found when carving this stuff, no one knows if a person stayed on the lines or not so exact in not that important..... Kinda like the old carpenters use to do. If he got to with in a 1/4" of the other wall studs, long or short, he was happy.

Those baking sheets are fairly rigid and easy to cut. Phyl just told me she did get it at Wal-Mart.

I need the size at least 16 x 25" and clear.

Have you looked at www.usplastic.com  ?

Edited September 28, 20178 yr by Chuck80

Chuck, what kind of a store would stock some of the thinner non bendable clear products. I think I need to see what it is I am wanting to use.

   My wife showed me some rolls of shelf liner plastic but it is to stick down and I think a non sticky product thick enough to be rigid so I can screw it down  then remove it after I cut out the outside of the clock away from the excess wood.

hair spray for the pattern and wax or UHMW tape or a no mar plate for the jigsaw sole...

Edited September 29, 20178 yr by Stick486

It still won't fit if you use a spiral blade?

What about the baking sheets Gene mentioned and this stuff- https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Repositionable-75-Spray-Adhesive?N=5002385+3293194087&rt=rud to hold it in place?

Jess, Love ya man, and I love your work! Can you please tag your topics appropriately? You would help us out a great deal if you did sir, thanks so much in advance!

I think John Wayne said,     Going to church doesn't make you a good person any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

 

A simple man John Morris with simple thoughts so I will try my best to cover your requests with my best effort!!!!

12 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

A simple man John Morris with simple thoughts

Yes, but your work is filled with complexities that most simple men (woodworkers) can only aspire too. Thank you Jess.

John Wayne, one of my all time favorites. Great quote.

I hope you didn't misssss understand me when I said a simple man, me, with simple thoughts.....

@Smallpatch, I was addressing you directly. You may be a simple man, but your work is complex.