FREE Scroll Saw Puzzle Pattern: Out of this World UFO

CUTTING & FINISHING THE UFO SCROLL SAW PUZZLE

Choose a kind of wood; I prefer 3/4 ” (1.9cm) pine. Sand the blanks with 80-grit sandpaper and cover the surfaces with blue painter’s tape. Photocopy the patterns, and then use spray adhesive to secure them to the tape. The grain on the rocket should Rocket and UFO Puzzles flow vertically; the grain on the UFO should flow horizontally. Drill the holes for the windows on both.

Cut the outside shape of each puzzle, and then work through the rest of the cuts. It helps to start with unwieldy areas, like the rocket antenna and the UFO legs; this way, you can set them aside early on and maneuver the remaining stock more easily. When cut, remove the patterns, reassemble the puzzles, and use an orbital sander on the fronts and backs. Sand the edges by hand, moving up progressively through the grits until you reach 320. Stain as desired; when I stain, I usually tackle all of the light-colored pieces first and move through the stains color by color. Let the pieces dry for 24 hours and then spray with several coats of clear gloss finish.

Projects Inside Easy Handmade Toys & Puzzles

Popsicle & Treats
By Jamie Costiglio

Pretend play food encourages kids to develop positive social behaviors—and what’s more fun than play popsicles and ice cream? This simple scroll saw project makes a great gift for kids of all ages; it’s durable, customizable, and affordable to make. The six components mimic real ice pops and ice cream, with drippy chocolate and colorful sprinkle toppings, but you can paint them to look like any icy treats you prefer.