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By PAUL LEWIS
Photo by SIMON CHEUNG
Illustration by PAUL LEWIS |
SCARY STUFF
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cuts and curves with a coping saw |
Cutting curves in wood may seem tricky at first, but like many
workshop tasks it's not that difficult if you have the right
tool.
A well-made coping saw can be purchased for about $15 and is
the hand-powered equivalent of the scrollsaw--its thin flexible
blade and C-shaped frame allow it to wind its way through curves
with a little practice.
Start
this project by enlarging the pumpkin template on a photocopier.
Stick the template on a piece of 3/4" pine so that the flat
bottom corresponds to the edge of the wood.
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Click above to enlarge |
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Drill 1/2"
dia. holes where indicated then clamp the wood to a solid surface
so that the entire template extends beyond the edge of the table.
Cut out an eye opening by detaching the coping saw blade, threading
it through the hole and reattaching.
Use slow, deliberate strokes and keep the blade perpendicular
to the workpiece. You'll have to swivel the blade to aim it
in the right direction to make all the cuts.
Repeat this process for the other eye, nose and mouth openings.
Once all the openings are complete, cut around the perimeter
of the pumpkin and sand all the freshly-cut surfaces.
Cut the 3" x 3" base and attach it to the back of the pumpkin
face with glue.
Clamp this until it dries. Once dry, paint or stain the project
as desired; I used some lemon yellow aniline dye.
Complete the project by adding the stem--a 2" length of willow
twig set into a 3/8" hole drilled into the top of the project.
Place a small votive candle on the base and dim the lights.
Happy Hallowe'en!
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