Children's Scroll Saw Puzzle

by LTDWoodworks

18K1149

Intro: Children's Scroll Saw Puzzle

If you're looking for a great simple project to do with your kids this is it! This puzzle only takes about an hour to make not including drying time. It will provide many hours of educational entertainment for kids of all ages!

STEP 1: Apply Tape.

To start off you will want to apply some painters tape to the surface of the wood. This little trick will make it much easier to remove the scroll saw pattern latter on.

STEP 2: Apply Your Pattern.

Using some spray adhesive apply the glue to the surface of the tape. From there you can apply the scroll saw pattern. Using your fingers spread the pattern out smooth.

Scroll saw patterns can be found on line by searching for "Scroll saw puzzle pattern".

STEP 3: Remove Excess Wood.

Using a table saw remove any excess wood. This will make it easier to handle while using the scroll saw. As an option a hand saw will work just fine for this step.

STEP 4: Cut Out the Pattern.

Using a scroll saw and a spiral blade take your time and cut along the lines to cut out the pattern. In addition you may have to drill some holes to allow access for the scroll saw blade to pass through on internal cuts. For this pattern simple holes worked fine for the eyes of the elephant. There was no need to make any more internal cuts with the scroll saw.

STEP 5: Remove the Pattern.

Remove the pattern. This is made easy since painters tape was used at the beginning.

STEP 6: Sand the Pieces.

Using 120 grit sand paper sand all the surfaces till smooth. Also be sure to round over the edges just a bit. This makes putting the puzzle together much easier.

STEP 7: Apply Your Stain or Paint of Choice.

For mine I used Minwax stain in a grey color. It is an elephant after all! Using a shop towel I applied the stain until all surfaces were covered. Any small areas where the towel couldn't reach I used a small paint brush to get into the tight spots.

STEP 8: Enjoy!

After the stain has had time to dry it's time for the little ones to enjoy the puzzle!

7 Comments

NoFlukeLuke 1 year ago

This may be a stupid question, but I couldn't find the actual pattern anywhere. Is there a link/download for the printable image?

LTDWoodworks 1 year ago

Hi. I can't remember where I got this exact pattern. However, I just googled elephant scroll saw patterns and found several choices. Once you find one you like, save as a picture, print and follow the steps above. Should be good to go!

Madeleine Pettigrew 3 years ago

I have actually made and gifted one of these! It was SO hard to find a pattern, but i eventually printed out an image of an elephant puzzle that was an exact puzzle like this one. I gave it to my cousin and my cousins where baffled by it 😄.

AnandM54 4 years ago

Wow...too simple and kids love this...and also me...!!!

instructodad_ 4 years ago

Great idea and good tips! Thank you for the inspiration :) I will probably try something similar soon.

Gadisha 4 years ago

Nice project, I love how the elephant consists of smaller elephants :)