What's In The Newsletter?

• Presidents Report
• Early History Of The Scroll Saw
• Benchtop Talk: 
• Vendor Discounts 
• Scrap Wood Challenge
• Upcoming Guild Programs 2023
• Scrap Wood Challenge - Mini-End Grain Butcher Block Coaster
• Building A Sam Maloof Inspired Rocker - Part 6
• March Membership Meeting Notes

President's Shavings ...

First, I’d like to give a shout-out to those that have been supporting both our program team and those that have been presenting and contributing to the benchtop discussions.  Following our March benchtop discussion centered on general sharpening, Chris Meek brought a well-prepared presentation with more demonstrations of sharpening tools and techniques.  It’s great to see our newer members contributing to the meetings and seeing everyone chime in and support those discussions with their own unique experiences!

And along those lines, I was once again impressed with the entries from guild members in our scrap wood challenge at the March meeting.  As you’ll see later in the newsletter, the things our members made were beautiful.  Every entry was worthy of awards and accolades.  I’m already excited to see what we have to show in our “Give it a Rest” challenge, which is still a month out for May!  A few people have already shown me what they’re thinking, and I like what I’m seeing in terms of stretching goals to do something they haven’t tried and showing pride in their work.

Finally, I want to thank Jim Francis, who continues to press forward with the restoration of the “Streetcar 390” in Hampton.  Jim continues to plan and lead the reconstruction of windows and doors on this old streetcar.  I haven’t had an opportunity to join them, but I hear great things from both Jim and those attending work sessions, who’ve found working together on these parts rewarding and a good experience.  We’re going to see a lot of nice progress in the months ahead.

Terry Nienaber, President TWWWG

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The Early History Of The Scroll Saw

The following article was taken from the October 14, 2010 edition of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts magazine.

A photo-illustrated look at the origins of this popular woodworking tool.

A lack of accurate record keeping shrouds the origins of the scroll saw in a veil of mystery. However, recently discovered records suggest the first patent for a saw using a reciprocating steel blade was awarded in 1829 in Great Britain.

Part of the reason researchers have such a difficult time nailing down the early history of the scroll saw is due to confusing and interchangeable terms. In the past, the term fretwork was used to describe all intricate and detailed cuts made in wood. While this form of woodworking can be traced back to some of the world’s earliest civilizations, until the 1500s, these types of projects were most likely cut with knives.

Early Documentation of the Scroll Saw

In the 1500s, a German craftsman developed a way to make fine narrow saw blades. A French workman named Boulle developed a frame to hold these blades in order to cut intricate designs. The frame, called a Buhl saw, looks similar to today’s fret and coping saws. The Buhl saw made the cutting of intricate designs popular throughout Europe.

While there is some evidence to suggest the concept of using thin blades in a reciprocating machine was in practice before the 1800s, the first recorded patent for this type of machine was issued to Mr. M’Duff in 1829. According to The Register of Arts and Journal of Patent Inventions, on Dec. 2, 1829, Mr. M’Duff was awarded the Dr. Fellowes’ Annual Prize for the best machine invented by a working member of the London (England) Mechanics’ Institution.

According to the publication, “The machine for which the prize on this occasion is awarded, is professedly for the object of cutting out Buhl-work, with more facility and accuracy than by the means heretofore in use.”

The publication said Mr. M’Duff used his machine to cut the American continent out of a map of the world “with surprising rapidity and accuracy.”

The publication further states, “(Mr. M’Duff’s tool) consists of a very fine and delicate straight saw blade, fixed vertically in a suitable frame, which receives a reciprocating rectilinear motion from the rotary action of the lathe. This conversion of the line of motion is effected by a contrivance particularly deserving of notice from its extreme simplicity and cheapness.”

The Evolution of the Scroll Saw

By 1857, there are at least three patents for improvements to the scroll saw and another patent references it as an American invention that was displayed at the 1851 Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London. One document mentions the inventor attached a rod to the wheel of a band saw to drive another blade to be used as a scroll saw. By the 1860s, the first mechanical powered scroll saws began to appear in the United States using a foot-powered treadle, a hand crank, or a pedal mechanism.

During the Victoria Era (1850-1910), scroll saws were used to cut the delicate ornamental gingerbread patterns at the gabled ends along roof eaves and porches. Scroll saws were also used to create clocks, wall plaques, picture frames, and ornate furniture to adorn the inside of the home. By the 1920s, the term scroll saw was in common use throughout America and manufacturers, such as Barnes, New Rogers, Star, Lester, and Hobbies, began mass-producing them.

The Largest Known Scroll Saw Collection

Lifelong woodworker Rick Hutcheson wants to document the 180-year evolution of the scroll saw from the first patent in 1829 to today’s modern saws. Rick has one of the largest known collections of scroll saws from around the world, consisting of more than 200 saws.

Rick began his collection in 1995 with an old 1876 Barnes No. 7 treadle scroll saw he bought from a friend.

It has a big boat paddle you step on to operate it,” Rick said. “I paid $400 for it and actually sawed on it a few times for the novelty of it. Then I just thought to myself, ‘Hey, I’d like to start a collection.’ So I did.”

Today, that first antique scroll saw proudly sits alongside the others in what has grown to become Rick’s scroll saw museum, situated in a large room over his workshop in Grimes, Iowa.

Since his first purchase, Rick launched a relentless hunt for older, more unusual scroll saws of all types; treadle, pedal, hand-crank, pneumatic, water-powered, electric, homemade, manufactured, children’s saws, floor models, tabletops, and anything else that might fill the remaining gaps in his considerable collection.

In 2000, Rick began buying scroll saws over the Internet and through eBay.

“When I’d post the photos of my new saws on the web, people would contact me to see if I’d be interested in an old saw they had,” Rick explained. From there, Rick’s collection grew to fill his display floor and the shelves lining the walls.

“Now I’m having to stack them on top of each other!” Rick said with a laugh “I’ve always liked mechanical things. To me it’s just so neat to see how they were built, how they functioned, how many different types and styles there were, and how they all operated. It’s like the forensics of scroll saws.”

To preserve its antique value, each saw is kept in its original condition, smudges, dents, dings, missing parts, chips, broken saw blades, ratty cords, and all.

Despite the knowledge and resources Rick has accumulated during his search for saws, he still has very little information on some saws.

“With some of these saws, I have no idea who made it or what year it was made,” Rick said. “But then I’ll have someone go on my website museum and e-mail me that their grandfather had a saw exactly like that and he bought it new in 1932. If someone gives me that information, I gladly add it to my online museum.”

Rick never sells any of his saws, but he loves showing them off to anyone interested.

“I’ve had people from all across the country come here to see the saws,” Rick said. “Usually, they’ve been to my web page and want to see them in person or they’ll be passing through Iowa on vacation and decide to stop by. I’m only three miles off of the interstate. Come see me.”

These days, Rick is a little more particular about what he buys because he’s running out of room.

“It’s really got to be something different—something with a totally different type of drive system or a different blade-clamp setup,” Rick said, hopeful something unique will pop up. “I think there are still some surprises out there.”

Rick's Scroll Saw Collection

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Benchtop Talk: Challenges For Woodworkers

TWWWG members met for an informal benchtop discussion on April 10, 2023.  The only stated objective for the meeting was an opportunity for members to present work they’ve performed or challenges they are experiencing.  Not all discussions were captured, but below is a summary of some of the bigger topics.

Gary Stephens showed a thick block that had been glued up from contrasting colors of scrap wood, which he intended to cut into a gradual curve as part of a knife block.  He asked for suggestions for cutting such a thick piece of wood with a gradual curve, which was too thick to cut in his bandsaw.  Consensus was that it would be easiest to do on a bandsaw that has an extension block for resawing.  Alternatively, it could have been cut as two pieces before gluing up.  The cut was performed later in the gathering on the saw in the classroom.

Ryan Evans shared follow-up experiences and research after last month’s presentation.  He recommended a video online by YouTube content provider, Katz-Moses with test-derived recommendations on how often to sharpen tools, and how the angle of the bevel (among other parameters) influence how often to resharpen.

Chris Zuchristian showed an epoxy-filled tabletop for an end table he is currently making.  Chris asked for recommendations on how fine to sand to improve the appearance of the black epoxy and what finish might be appropriate.  Recommendations included sanding to around 320 grit (which he had done) with the random orbital sander he was using, and following up with linear (manual) sanding patterns in the direction of the grain.  Depending on the finish desired, which in this case is a rustic look, a rougher grit of 240 can be appropriate prior to the first coat, depending on the recommendations from the finish manufacturer.

Chris also showed a recent example of an engraved board with a detailed inscription.  He asked for advice on preparing the wood and backfill techniques and colors.  Given the range of light and dark colored boards used across the width of the piece, one of the members recommended silver to provide a compromise to contrast between both.  Also recommended was to fill grooves and pits in the grain with epoxy or finish to make the lettering appear crisp.   

Bob Hodges provided an update on his efforts to set up his computer numerically controlled (CNC) router.  He acknowledged a large learning curve on both switching from a Mac operating system to Windows, and in learning the CAD and programming software (V-Carve).  More to come.

Bob also talked about his and his wife’s experience in creating a sales website for displaying and selling his wife’s artwork.  They currently use a content management service, artstorefront.com.  The service aids in website creation, hosting and sales, as well as marketing.  He was complimentary on how well it worked.

Terry Nienaber talked about a fixture he made to drill and install a new insert in bar stool legs to shorten them, adjusting their height without significant changes to the tapered shape of the legs at the bottom of the stool.  He was able to take an inch off the length by making a template to carefully move the holes on each of twelve legs using fixture he could secure in the old holes and drill new prior to sawing the top off.

Vendor Discounts

Greg has been actively looking for vendors that will provide a discount to guild members for various supplies.  A basic listing of the vendor will be published in each months newsletter.  To keep this from getting too complicated for this newsletter the list will only contain the most basic information on the vendors.  To get to the real meat of the vendor discounts you will have to go to the TWWWG web site www.twwwg.com and click on the tab marked "Member Information".  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Previous icon.  Once on the second page click on the previous link one more time.  This should take you to the article called TWWWG Vendor Discounts.

• Lowes of Norfolk
• Lowes of Portsmouth
• Lowes of West Chesapeake
• Costal Hardware Inc.
• Wurth Wood Group
• Sure Set Saw
• Yukon Lumber 

Scrap Wood Challenge

 For the first time in a long time the TWWWG challenge generated a lot of interest.  Below are some pictures that guild members presented at the meeting for the contest.  There was a lot of creativity in seeing what could be built out of scrap wood but remember there is no such thing as scrap wood, only wood that has not found a use!

Upcoming Guild Programs 2023

April’s Program will be a fun evening with door prizes, possibly a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, show & tell, Woodworking Tip of the Month, and featuring a presentation by Robert “Bob” Smith and Gary Stephens on the scroll saw.   Doors open at 6:30 pm.  Upon arrival, ensure to pick up your member nametag from John Tirey and your door prize ticket from Chris Zuchristian before catching up with friends until the start of the program at 7:00pm sharp.  Larry and Cheryl will be available to register new members and collect dues.  If we have a volunteer to sell tickets, we will have a 50/50 drawing that evening.  Also, we are bringing back the silent auction this month, so bring in and donate to the guild your slightly used tools or items that you no longer need.   The silent auction will be held during intermission.  $1 gets you one ticket; $5 gets you six. Make sure you bring small $ bills. 

Before intermission, we will have Show & Tell.  Bring in your project to share with the group.  We love to see what you are working on.  If it is too big to bring to the meeting, send pictures to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Show & Tell presentations should last no more than 3 mins and include a description of the project (e.g. type of wood, joinery, finish), challenges you overcame, and what you plan to do with it once complete.  This is your time to brag and/or ask the guild members for assistance.  We will end the first part of the meeting with the Tip of the Month from the President of the Guild.

The featured program for the night will be the scroll saw.  Bob and Gary have 18 years of experience combined using this tool and will discuss everything from developing plans to cutting intricate designs in wood projects.  They will talk about safety considerations, proper set up, saw selection, cutting techniques, sanding methods, and finishing projects.  It’s sure to be a very informative presentation.   We look forward to seeing you at Woodcraft or via ZOOM. 

Scrap Wood Challenge - Mini-End Grain Butcher Block Coaster

 A picture story of using scrap wood to make an end grain butcher block coaster by Tim Roach.  Very creative!

     In 2020 I wanted to replace an old cooktop in our island (that we never used) with an edge grain cutting board.  Since I    wanted a nice cutting board, I decided to use Burmese Teak… at $29/Bdft!

So I milled it up and ripped it into thinner strips, flipped them and glued them up flat.

The edges of the glued up panel were not even, so I trimmed them to size after cleaned up the panel.  So at $29/Bdft, I just didn’t want to chuck those lovely chunks of Burmese Teak in the trash!  So I took the small panel cutoffs, flipped them and offset them slightly and glued those segments together!!

So I trimmed the edges, finished it with leftover butcher block oil and I have a fancy shop coaster!!

      by Tim Roach

Building A Sam Maloof Inspired Rocker - Part 6

When is enough, enough?  That is a question I keep asking myself.  I have enjoyed painting now and then.  Not like painting the house, although I have done my fair share of that, but like artwork painting with watercolor etc.  Have attended a couple of classes over the years and one of the questions I like to ask the instructor is when do you know your painting is done?  I have been asking myself the same question as I sculpt various pieces of the rocker.  It seems like every time I look at it, I see an area where I think I need to take a little bit more off here or there.  Maybe extend that curve a little more, or harden this edge or soften that edge.

To the bottom is a picture of shavings I took off of one arm after I thought I was done last month.  So you can see, I took off a fair bit more.  Am I done, probably not.

Well for the time being I have moved on.  I am now working on the headrest and getting it blended to the upper rear legs.  You can see where I am at in the picture below.  Still have a lot of work to go in working the transitions.  Agiain it is a bit of a process where I take a little bit then step back see what needs to be removed, then I mark that area with a red pencil and remove that area.  Then it is rinse and repeat until I am happy.  However, I feel like even when I am finished, I won’t be finished.  I think I will always find some spot that just needs a little more attention.  

Speaking of moving on, the seat, front legs, and lower portion (from the arms down) of the rear legs have been sanded to 320.  That is about as far as I will go one section at a time until the rocker is completed and ready for finish.  Then I will go over the entire rocker again with 320 and then 400. 

Scott Paris 

March Membership Meeting Notes

The March membership meeting, held on 3/27/2023 at Woodcraft.  

Prior to the meeting, members placed their entries for the “Scrap Wood Challenge” at the front of the room.  Additionally, members entering were handed tickets that served as door prize entries and voting ticket stubs.

The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. with the president extending a welcome to new members.  Committees provided a verbal report of the current number of members and finances.  The guild currently has 66 members, including two new members who signed up at this meeting.  There were at least 45 members in person at this meeting, with several more online.

Jim Francis provided a summary of progress and upcoming work on the Streetcar 390 restoration project.

Eight members presented summaries of their “Scrap Wood Challenge” entries.  Summaries included the origin of the materials, their objectives or inspiration, and processes used.

Intermission was called, at which time members could more closely view entries for the challenge and submit votes for the top submissions.

The meeting resumed with the main presentation, which was a skills building demonstration given by Chris Meek on techniques for sharpening planes and chisels using stones.  Throughout the presentation, questions and experiences were contributed from those present.

Following the presentation, the vice president, Chris Zuchristian, announced the winners of the Scrap Wood Challenge.  The first and second place entries were determined by popular votes from the members present.  The third-place prize was drawn from the remaining entries.

The vice president announced and provided the rules and objectives for the next guild challenge, “Give it a Rest,” which is due in May. 

Door prizes, contributed by Woodcraft® of Norfolk, were drawn and awarded to attendees.  

Questions were solicited from members.  

No actions or decisions were put forward to the membership for this meeting. See below for the minutes.

Meeting Minutes/Agenda

6:30-7:00 Meeting setup, membership sign-up

7:00 Welcome

7:05 Committee Reports

7:10 Outreach / Requests for Help / Guild Project Updates

7:15 Upcoming shows/new business

7:20 Scrap Wood Challenge presentation of entries

7:45 Intermission/social/voting for challenge entries

8:05 Program:  Chris Meek - Sharpening Planes and Chisels

8:40 Results from the Scrap Wood Challenge Voting

8:45 Introduction of the May Challenge (“Give it a Rest”)

8:50 Drawing of Door Prizes / Q&A and Closing Remarks

9:00 Meeting adjourned

Notes by Terry Nienaber, President