What’s on your carving/embellishing bench?

[John K Jordan]

Haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Ted but hope to in the future. Especially since he owes me money now, he’s the reason I bought the micro carver, so it’s basically his fault!!

Come over this way sometime and go with us to visit the Crossville club. John Lucas and other celebrities hang out there.

But, shoot, I have a micro carver I might have traded for a piece of plywood. (Or maybe I should try using it before we part company.) I’m in the process of downsizing - for example I have too many Foredoms. I think one will make the journey to our club benefit auction this year.

JKJ

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

Haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Ted but hope to in the future. Especially since he owes me money now, he’s the reason I bought the micro carver, so it’s basically his fault!!

That’s hilarious, but I can’t afford both our obsession! Lol! Since the symposium is in Raleigh next year I’ll be driving over. Will you be going?

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

I had the honor of meeting and chatting with Sir Ted recently and held some of his work in my very own hands. I want to be just like him when I grow up...

Don't give up, David!!

JKJ

Thanks John but the honor was all mine! Especially since I beat you out of my newest toy!

 

[John K Jordan]

Thanks John but the honor was all mine! Especially since I beat you out of my newest toy!

One morning when I woke up I distinctly heard a quiet voice from above clearly say “Ted needs this”. At first I thought it was a dream but it wasn’t. How could I possibly argue with Heaven?

But no beating out was necessary. I consider it an investment in the quality of lives by TedInspirations.inc, value beyond mere mortal comprehension. And besides that, it was taking up space - I’d had it for years and never even got it out of the box!

And I’m doubly honored, as I’m reminded every time I walk past a certain shelf in my house.

JKJ

 

[David Wyke]

That’s hilarious, but I can’t afford both our obsession! Lol! Since the symposium is in Raleigh next year I’ll be driving over. Will you be going?

It’s possible. There is a show in Greensboro this November 8th and 9th, I think. Was planning on that one but may do a two day carving class with Christina Smith at Klingspor in Hickory.

Exhibitors | NC Woodturning Symposium

Learn from some of the top suppliers of woodturning in the exhibit hall — and scoop up savings on show-only special deals.

www.ncwts.com

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

It’s possible. There is a show in Greensboro this November 8th and 9th, I think. Was planning on that one but may do a two day carving class with Christina Smith at Klingspor in Hickory.

Exhibitors | NC Woodturning Symposium

Learn from some of the top suppliers of woodturning in the exhibit hall — and scoop up savings on show-only special deals.

www.ncwts.com

Christina is great! She was Dixie Biggs assistant when I took her class at JCC ! Fantastic carving and excellent in painting.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

It’s possible. There is a show in Greensboro this November 8th and 9th, I think. Was planning on that one but may do a two day carving class with Christina Smith at Klingspor in Hickory.

Exhibitors | NC Woodturning Symposium

Learn from some of the top suppliers of woodturning in the exhibit hall — and scoop up savings on show-only special deals.

www.ncwts.com

Just got a chance to look at NC symposium. What a lineup! If you get a chance go see Nicks demo, he’s great. I would love to see Graeme Priddle and Melissa Engel, really love they’re work.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

John Lucas is in two clubs I’m with. I’ve have leaned a ton from him. He’s president one our Cookeville club. The man can do it all!

 

[John K Jordan]

I would love to see Graeme Priddle and Melissa Engel, really love they’re work.

I love them and their work - what wonderful people! I’ve attended some of their demos, a remote demo, and had the honor of visiting their shop and got a tour of some of their pieces in a near-by gallery. I brought wood to share and he sent me home with some I’ve never had.

I took this spontaneous photo at one of the NC symposiums, I turned wands and things on a lathe Frank Penta set up in the vendor area.
This is the very last picture I took of the late, great, famous John Jordan, with Graeme and Melissa,
I gave them magic wands - Graeme tried to use his to influence the symposium auction but I don’t think he pronounced the spells correctly.

(Sorry, I know I posted this photo before. But I really like it.)

JKJ

 

[Michael Anderson]

Had some free time today, so I worked on some of the pyro for this guy.

 

[David Wyke]

Had some free time today, so I worked on some of the pyro for this guy.

View attachment 75265

Looks great. How did you do the center texture, with an engraver?

 

[David Wyke]

Christina is great! She was Dixie Biggs assistant when I took her class at JCC ! Fantastic carving and excellent in painting.

Going to be a tough choice, symposium or carving class…I’ll talk with Christina and see if she is teaching a class close to me this summer.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

Had some free time today, so I worked on some of the pyro for this guy.

View attachment 75265

That’s is awesome!!!

 

[Michael Anderson]

Yesterday evening and earlier this morning, I carved the calyx on the back of the flower. I took some progress shots so you can see the process from rough to sanded.






The next step is to add a few more details to the front, and then start adding some color.

 

[Michael Anderson]

Looks great. How did you do the center texture, with an engraver?

Thanks David! I used a microcarver and a couple of different sizes of round diamond burrs.

 

[Michael Anderson]

Mostly finished with the flower from before, so now I’m moving on to another element. Argentine Lignum Vitae. Carving this into some leaves. May or may not include this in the final piece. We’ll see!

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

Yesterday evening and earlier this morning, I carved the calyx on the back of the flower. I took some progress shots so you can see the process from rough to sanded.

View attachment 75286
View attachment 75287
View attachment 75288
View attachment 75289

The next step is to add a few more details to the front, and then start adding some color.

Michael what do you use to make the “ lines” in each petal? Have tried several methods but not happy with any. Thanks

 

[Michael Anderson]

Michael what do you use to make the “ lines” in each petal? Have tried several methods but not happy with any. Thanks

Hey Ted. I used some fine diamond burrs. Really thin cylinders and sharp cones, depending on the wood and angle of approach. They really let you draw in the lines, rather than trying to carve through the wood (for example, with tiny round fluted bits), if that makes sense.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

Hey Ted. I used some fine diamond burrs. Really thin cylinders and sharp cones, depending on the wood and angle of approach. They really let you draw in the lines, rather than trying to carve through the wood (for example, with tiny round fluted bits), if that makes sense.

Makes perfect sense, thanks.

 

[Jim Reynolds]

Going to be a tough choice, symposium or carving class…I’ll talk with Christina and see if she is teaching a class close to me this summer.

You might ask if a one on one mentoring is an option. That way you can make schedule coordination easier and the curriculum match your desires. In many of the classes I've taken you spend quite a while waiting for the instructors attention, perhaps you've had a similar experience. Best of luck.

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

What are everybody’s favorite burrs. I am just getting started. I bought a micro motor but don’t have much in the way of burrs yet.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

This is the handout Dixie Biggs uses listing the burrs,. Also if you call MDI and ask for Sammy Longs burrs they have a set that he uses setup.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

What are everybody’s favorite burrs. I am just getting started. I bought a micro motor but don’t have much in the way of burrs yet.

I find I use mostly saber tooth and stump cutters in the round versions. Also the bud shape in both is handy. Try some quality diamond burs for “ sanding”. You’ll find that you will wind up with all kinds of burrs, trying to figure out what you prefer. Enjoy figuring it out.

 

[Bill Blasic]

The Swiss made cup burrs are a must for a good tool assortment. Had Michael Kehs here for hands on and I learned a lot.

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

The Swiss made cup burrs are a must for a good tool assortment. Had Michael Kehs here for hands on and I learned a lot.

Yes , forgot those Bill. Use them often, costly little devils!

 

[Walker Westbrook]

I took an inlay and creative embellishments class with Myra Orton this past weekend. She showed us how to do inlay with various materials, pyrography accents, purfling, and how to incorporate these elements into woodturned pieces. Obviously this is on a piece of flat stock, but I'm really looking forward to trying this out on my turnings.

 

[Barry Larson]

I think I'll call this "sticking my neck out". A small bowl embellished with a giraffe motif. I just finished the pyrography and need to do some clean-up and turn the foot. Intended as a gift for a friend of my wife who has a penchant for giraffes. Perhaps not up to the standards set by others here, but one must start somewhere.
Cheers.
Barry W. Larson
Calgary, Alberta, Canada eh!

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

I think I'll call this "sticking my neck out". A small bowl embellished with a giraffe motif. I just finished the pyrography and need to do some clean-up and turn the foot. Intended as a gift for a friend of my wife who has a penchant for giraffes. Perhaps not up to the standards set by others here, but one must start somewhere.
Cheers.
Barry W. Larson
Calgary, Alberta, Canada eh!

Looks great!

 

[Scott Hoefs]

Seeing Art Liestman's jigsaw puzzle vase on the cover of the April edition of American Woodturner magazine, I felt the need to try it. This is my first attempt at piercing, along with using an airbrush to paint the outside of the vessel. I learned a lot and still a ways to go.

 

[Michael Anderson]

I learned a lot and still a ways to go.

Nice first effort Scott! I like the white color and the natural wood bands. Next go-around pick up some rifflers to help clean up the edges of the pierced pieces prior to sanding. They are game changers.

 

[Kevin Jenness]

Here's one saved from the burn pile after a compound leg fracture. It turns out the tripus has red blood.

I did most of the leg shaping on the lathe as my initial attempt at holding it by the neck wth padded dovetail jaws was only marginally successful. I finally remembered my seldom-used set of flat jaws and turned some wooden jaws to fit and expand inside the natural edge opening. If for some reason I have to remount on the lathe after carving the tail I should be able to use a reverse cone mount in the tailstock.


edit: While washing the dishes I realized vacuum clamping would work as well here, in fact better, aside from the noise factor. I've been turning so many pieces that won't hold air that I got out of the habit of vacuum chucking, just as I forgot about the flat jaws.

 

[hughie]

First attempt at piercing. Scrap maple with a knot in the bottom. The cutouts are pretty rough, but I'll get better. Needs to be thinner; with this thickness I have to push too hard on the tool, which results in some wonky shapes. My next attempt, when I tried to turn a thinner piece, blew up.

View attachment 74693

been there for sure

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

Finally got to the funner part!

 

[Kevin Jenness]

What are everybody’s favorite burrs. I am just getting started. I bought a micro motor but don’t have much in the way of burrs yet.

I mostly use Saburrtooth burrs. They recently came out with the white "Whisper" line which are surprisingly aggressive considering the relatively clean surface they produce.Whisper

 

[David Wyke]

Finally got to the funner part!

Looks like that would take a lot of patience grasshopper

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Finally got to the funner part!

Your idea of fun and mine are very different. I'll do a basket illusion some day. I'm just too lazy right now (and still learning).

 

[Walker Westbrook]

I mostly use Saburrtooth burrs. They recently came out with the white "Whisper" line which are surprisingly aggressive considering the relatively clean surface they produce.Whisper

I use the Kutzall burrs simply because they're what was available at my local woodworking store. It looks like the teeth are less consistent than what I've seen on Saburrtooth burrs. The kutzall tends to leave one or two deeper grooves than the rest of the cut. It seems like everyone swears by Saburrtooth, and I'm wondering if it's because the apparent uniformity of the teeth leaves that clean cut.

 

[David Wyke]

Long ways to go on this piece. The piercing is going good with the new micro carver but still have a lot to do. Also will be adding some pyro and thinking about some color to it but may hold off on that, small steps grasshopper!

 

[Ted Pelfrey]

Long ways to go on this piece. The piercing is going good with the new micro carver but still have a lot to do. Also will be adding some pyro and thinking about some color to it but may hold off on that, small steps grasshopper!

View attachment 75857

Looking good! Can’t wait to see the end results!

 

[John K Jordan]

Long ways to go on this piece. The piercing is going good with the new micro carver but still have a lot to do. Also will be adding some pyro and thinking about some color to it but may hold off on that, small steps grasshopper!

View attachment 75857

Nice!

It almost seems that added color or other embellishment might detract from the elegance of the design.

JKJ