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How to Make a Blank Jigsaw Puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles are a popular pastime for people of all ages. Skill levels range from very simple four-piece puzzles for toddlers and children, to intensely challenging 5,000-piece puzzles for older fans. A new angle for the real puzzle fan is making his own jigsaw puzzle. Puzzles can be made from a favorite picture, a child's drawing or--for a super challenge--a blank sheet.

Things You'll Need

1/8-inch-thick baltic birch plywood the size and shape of the finished puzzle
Blank paper
Rubber cement
Clear packing tape
Scroll saw

Instructions

- 1
  
  Draw or download and print a jigsaw puzzle pattern on a sheet of paper. Print onto multiple sheets if necessary for the size puzzle you want to make.
- 2
  Glue the paper pattern to the sheet of baltic plywood with rubber cement.
- 3
  Cover the entire pattern with clear packing tape. This will lubricate the blade when the puzzle is cut.
- 4
  Carefully follow the pattern lines with a scroll saw to cut out the puzzle. If you are new to scroll sawing, you might want to use a spiral blade that makes turning tight corners easy.
- 5
  Cut the entire puzzle out, then remove the tape and paper from the pieces. Excess rubber cement can be rubbed off.

Jigsaw Puzzles