Shoreline Gator

by Roy King, Scott Kochendorfer, and Bob Valle of White Tail Designs, Ltd.

Step 1.Photocopy the pattern, saving the original for future use. Trim the pattern to fit the wood. Apply a thin coat of temporary-bond spray adhesive to the back of the pattern, and allow the adhesive to set up until it feels sticky, like masking tape. Attach the pattern to the 1/4"-thick maple. Apply a layer of clear packaging tape over the pattern. (The tape lubricates the blade as you cut, which reduces burning and extends the life of the blade.)

Step 2. Drill for all entry holes. Using a No. 2/0 or No. 2 reverse-tooth blade, make all interior cuts in the design. Do not cut the perimeter of the pattern yet.

Step 3. Stack the gator piece on top of the plywood, and secure the two pieces using tape. Cutting through both thicknesses of wood, cut along the perimeter of the pattern. This will ensure that the backboard exactly matches the border of the scrolled piece.

Step 4. Separate the two pieces, and remove all tape. Apply three coats of satin-finish spray polyurethane to the dragonfly piece using short, even strokes. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next, and lightly sand the surface between applications.

Step 5. Spray paint the edges and both sides of the backboard. When dry, apply white craft glue to the back of the gator, and position it on top of the backboard, aligning all edges. Place a weight on top of the assembly until the glue is dry. Attach a hanger to the back of the plaque.

For questions concerning this project, please send a SASE to:  
White Tail Designs, LTD., 17713 South 66th Ct., Tinley Park, IL 60477, or email to: scrolled1@comcast.net.

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