Photo Puzzles

shydragon · Post by **shydragon** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:01 am

I had a thought last night. What if I printed out some photo of the grandkids, then glue them to maybe 1/4" baltic birch plywood, then maybe using a polyurethane finish over the photo. After drying, cut it up into shapes, then put a frame around it and then there would be a simple puzzle to put together.. Has anyone ever attempted anything like this, will it work? Am I thinking down the right path?

Suggestions please.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 9:22 am

shydragon wrote:I had a thought last night. What if I printed out some photo of the grandkids, then glue them to maybe 1/4" baltic birch plywood, then maybe using a polyurethane finish over the photo. After drying, cut it up into shapes, then put a frame around it and then there would be a simple puzzle to put together.. Has anyone ever attempted anything like this, will it work? Am I thinking down the right path?

Suggestions please.

Don't know how you could go wrong. It would be a neat puzzle. The grand kids might not play with it but mom and dad probably would.

I'm not sure I would use baltic birch. Think about hard board, more durable maybe.

drl · Post by **drl** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:00 pm

I don't know what affect the poly would have on photographs but that would be a consideration. However I did ask my significant other and she said crafters have been using a product called Mod Podge for this type of thing for years. The site has quite a bit of informative on their product(s).
http://www.plaidonline.com/apmp.asp
MSO says it is available at crafting stores like Michaels or perhaps JoAnn Fabrics.
Another thought is a clear shellac but maybe that would crack along a cut line?
A test run with poly would say a lot. As has been said, "One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."
Regards,
Dwight

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:36 pm

If poly adversely effects the picture try a coat of shellac first.

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:57 pm

It's a great project, and I am sure it will be cherished. I made puzzles years ago using animal pictures printed on regular computer paper. I used Modpog, as noted on a previous reply. It works well but takes a few coats. Shellac might be a good option too. If you two pictures, you can place one on the base of the puzzle, and sandwich it between the two layers. The second matching photo is used for the top. That way, as pieces are removed the photo remains.I Makes the puzzle easier for the very young. In puzzle making a wide kerf is OK as it makes piece placement easier for young hands. Enjoy, I think your about to start a really rewarding project. Gary

reible · Post by **reible** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:26 pm

Hi,

It just so happens I have been thinking about do this very same thing.

It also happens that I have done something like this before. Back when my kids were younger I made several puzzles, some just shapes, ie a cat, while others were the more traditional jigsaw type. At the time we purchased some small posters by Frances Hook and I used a permanent spray adhesive on to 1/4" premium ply. Sprayed a coat of urethane over it. I then hand drew the puzzel on some acetate film with wax marker. This allowed me to rub off the pattern to reajust as needed. I wanted to avoid having a cut eye or so other odd things that can happen. Depending on the age a simple 4 or 6 pieces might work or maybe even up to 12... anyway simple is better. The pressure foot can leave marks so I attached the acetate to 1/8" hardboard which I put on top of the poster for cutting. After the parts are cut they will need a little cleaning to get the sawdust off and maybe a little sanding to clean them up. I then spread them out and gave them several shots of urethane to keep the edges from peeling up.

So of late with grand children I have had the very same idea of using a photo to make a puzzle. I've been collecting some information which I share with you but I personally have not gotten to try this yet.

The idea was found in a fall 2004 Do it Best Home as a diy project. I'll add a few of my own findings that might be useful as we go.

First and this is something I've had to do before... Photo's from a home printer my not work well depending on how stable the inks are. If after testing you find the ink makes a mess you can go to one of those office stores with color copies and make a copy that will be toner and that should work fine.

For younger ones you might want to think of thicker material ie real wood 1/2" or 3/4" thick, [not mentioned, mdf should work too]. Avoid any design with sharply pointed pieces. You can also think about a photo on each side to make it more interesting. [If you do photo editing a whitewash can make a interesting change to the look of a photo]

You need to get Weldbond adhesive [do it hardware stores, I think I saw this also at home depot? I also know an online store that carries it]. a plasitic straight-edge/scraper. rubber cement, and the wood for your puzzle.

Cut the wood to size. Seal surface with the Weldbond using the scraper, which will look milky but will dry clear. Make sure it is dry before you continue.

Now you coat the surface again but this time you place the picture on the wet surface. Take care to remove bubbles or ripples... make sure you don't damage the photo. Let this dry completely.

Now apply a third coat to the Weldbond to the top of the photo taking care to apply the coat as evenly and smoothly as possible. When this coat is dry do it one more time, and again wait for it to completely dry before going on.

You now have to prepair the pattern. They provided a sample but for copyright reasons I'll not post that. [Some photo packages have a puzzle effect that you can use] When you have the design done coat the backside with a thin coat of rubber cement, then place it over the picture.

Have at it with the scroll saw... do all horzontal cuts then vertical cuts. Now peel off the pattern and remove any residual rubber cement. [I'd do a little touch up with sandpaper if needed] There you are done!

Hope this helps and I hope other can expand our knowlege on this subject.

Ed

shydragon · Post by **shydragon** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:27 pm

Thanks for the great info. I have both Michaels and JoAnn near me, so maybe my 1st attempt will be with Mod Podge. I like the idea of using hardboard. That never even crossed my mind.

john · Post by **john** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:01 pm

Pat:

The idea sure is possible. One of my books on puzzles has instructions and a pattern for cutting the pieces. I have never done one but I'm sure it would be a great project.

John

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:25 pm

If you're interested in a pattern or template for the puzzle pieces, I found this pattern that might be useful.