rafairchild2

Welcome from Hampton Roads VA. I started doing videos again on YT, I am trying to give back to the scrolling community. I have lots of hints and tips, and you can see as I am on the scroll saw with current projects. I show things at real time, not sped up. I talk about my techniques, what I am doing and why. See links in my bio.

You will love the Pegas, it is a smooth saw. One of the things I did when I put in my Lock-Line top vac, is made it so I goes up and down with the arm, this way it always goes back to the same place like the puffer. I have the 30" Pegas (wish I got the 21"). This way my nozzle goes along with the arm. I also added blast gates so I could adjust, turn on/off, the suction to the top and bottom. My cabinet (US General) is also a roller, though I have it on 2*4 blocks right now, so I can move the saw around as I like too. Here's what it looks like. This was before I moved in place where the Excal sat. The 2nd image is my workshop at the moment (subject to change), I've added a band saw and have a new router table.

Thanks Jerry I am actually designing two epic art pieces that I hope to get into some gift shops, and then get my various ornament series into. The first, I am designing a piece that I will use to get hopefully get a spot in the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the art piece honors the 200 African American women and the 20 men who in 1938 cleared 75 acres of swamp land, and planted thousand of azalea bushes, to create the foundation of what we have today. I already have a list of other ornaments from different places in the garden I can make. If I can get a spot, that would be great. What will be the third in my VA Beach series is based on the Neptune sculpture at the waterfront. Again part of a series, but this will be my signature piece. We'll see what happens. BTW, I am not going to sell patterns yet, as I am trying to create limited edition runs of my work/designs. I do not want to dilute what I am creating. maybe as I go along, I might try my hand at selling some patterns. Time will tell.

I put it in an aluminium cooking or pie pan. I get a bunch for cheap. I put enough in to over the pieces. I might also brush it on. I only soak for a minute or so, then let it drip. Sometimes I will use my compressed air to remove excess, then wipe with a lint free cloth. Many times after I will use a beeswax/coconut oil wax to seal it.

Just finished cutting a Noah’s Ark ornament at the scroll saw and thought I’d share it here, I already shared the first in the series (Moses and the Red Sea) a short while ago. The design shows the ark riding the waves with Noah and a dove above, kept fairly simple so the fretwork stays strong when cut. This one is cut from 1/4" walnut, which always gives a really nice contrast once finished. I stack-cut the pieces using #5 Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse blades, which made the interior cuts go pretty quickly. Right now it’s fresh off the saw, so I still need to do the sanding and then give it a dip in Danish Oil to bring the walnut grain to life. That’s always the moment when the piece really wakes up. I’ll post another photo once it’s finished. I am also doing a Virginia Beach ornament series that I have posted the first couple, and I am currently working on designing an epic (Large) art piece inspired by the Neptune Statue found at the oceanfront. I am also planning on a series for the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. A mix of ornaments and larger art pieces.

A lot of times after curing for a day or so, I will then wax it. I use a cutting board wax. Wipe on wipe off. Coconut oil and bees wax. But you can get away with only using Danish Oil. Note, some D.O. comes tinted. So you want the natural, so you do not accidently, change the color.

I have been trying my hand at design. This is my latest design. It is stack cut (4x) 3/8" walnut. Used a #5 FD UR blade. I still need to sand and finish in Danish Oil, but overall I am pleased at how it came out. It's been a while since i have been in the workshop, and I am rusty for sure.

Lovely. i just finished a piece in walnut myself a few minutes ago, will post. But without a doubt, when finished with Danish Oil, walnut looks beautiful. It is an easy wood to cut too. very forgiving.

Steve was amazing, all around great guy, humble and generous with his time, knowledge and skill. I hope there will be someone who can pick up his mantle. Losing Judy first, and now Steve is heart breaking and a double blow to the scrolling community in the last year. Steve's prolific work inspired me to start designing my own pieces, but this one from Steve I have on the wall of my workshop.

I assume you mean one of these. They are okay, I modified a Steve Good design (RIP Steve). Unsure if the weight throws off the balance of the action though. So I made mine removeable. I slip it on, tighten (careful not to over tighten), then slide it off.

What a shitty thing to be blunt. It's not like you are not going through enough with what is going on in your homeland. I use the services of GoDaddy for my credit card processing and such. I don't have much of a "store front" but you could use their WordPress option for a website and the plugins for a store.

Man, he was such an inspiration and all around great guy. To lose him and Judy Gale Roberts in such a short time is a blow to the scrolling community. I am heart broken.

Amazing the outpouring of concern and love for Steve.

Actually, I am designing a burning bush ornament for my series.

Thanks Jerry I found I had to modify the design slightly, for the next time. I extended the staff to touch the right side strengthening the staff, (also added another small cloud) as I broke the staff on one of the pieces as I was sanding. Granted I was sanding a little vigorously, and it caught the edge of the sandpaper, and it broke at his hand.

This a new design of mine called “When the Waters Part” — a scroll saw ornament showing Moses parting the Red Sea. This is a part of a series of ornaments I am designing called "The Walk of Faith". I’m using walnut and a stack cutting 4 pieces. The story behind it? This design is more than wood — it’s a reminder. When things seem impossible, trust the One who parts the waters.

A recent design of mine as I learn how to design things for the scroll saw. This scroll saw ornament features turtles, fish, sea grass, and shells — capturing the beauty of ocean life along the Virginia Beach, VA coast. Cut from hardwood and stack cut (made 3), it's the first in a new series celebrating life by the sea. “The sea is His, for He made it…” — Psalm 95:5 A small piece of the coast, shaped with care and crafted to inspire. PS, I just sprayed with water to raise the gain and sand, prior to dipping in Danish Oil.

My 2ns comment as a bottom feeder. I think the only way i could top feed a large piece would be to remove the blade from the chucks top and bottom, thread from the top lifting the piece a little to make sure I go through the cutting deck hole, then attach the chucks.

I would say finishing my Venice inspired chess set, compound cutting, walnut and ash. Oh and i will NEVER use ash again for this type of cutting! Started at the end of 2024, then finished cutting before I had surgery in May of 2025. Then in June I sanded and dipped it in finishing oil.

I am a bottom feeder as I wind up bending blades trying to top feed. only larger projects give me fits once in a while. If I can drill a larger hole, then top feeding is an option when bottom becomes problematic.

Of course I planned it... cough, cough

This is my final easter piece of the year, as I am now switching to a multi-piece series called "Walk of Faith" which will be ornament style pieces, each depicting a story from the Bible. I used 1/2" Black Limba for this piece and stack cut. FD UR blades #3 and #5. I did use my band saw for the two straight cuts, and will never do that again. I prefer the finer finish of the FD blades. Images attached, Finished with Danish Oil, unfinished, and with template

You might want to spend $20 and get the renewal kit. I keep one on hand since I have 2 pegas chucks (my Excalibur and my pegas 30") https://www.bearwood.com/pegas-scroll-saw-chuck-heads-renewal-kit.html

Note that Government-created works aren't copyrighted, but military symbols (logos, names, seals) function as trademarks to identify the service, so they're protected under trademark law. Using military marks on merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, etc.) requires a license or written permission from the relevant service (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.). For personal, non-commercial use (like a hobby project), you might be fine, but if you plan to sell anything with military logos or insignia, or use them in a way that implies endorsement, you must get permission. From Google: How to Get Permission (If Needed) Identify the Mark: Determine which service's mark you want to use. Contact the Licensing Office: Each branch has a Trademark Licensing Program (e.g., Army.mil ATLP for Army). Apply for a License: Follow their process for approval, which involves reviewing your proposed use for quality and appropriateness.

Seriously? What do you think it is?