You may recall from earlier this year, I posted a bit about, Scott, a ventriloquist friend of mine who gave a very nice presentation about how to carve and paint dummies at our carving club. It was quite a nice evening.
I think that I mentioned at the time that his church (Scott is one of the two Pastors there) was in the process of adding a 6000 square foot addition onto their building and completely renovating their sanctuary. They have done a nice job. It really looks fantastic now!.
I promised him that I would make a "housewarming gift" to commemorate the new addition. Since then I have been trying to come up with an original idea and finally decided to fall back on a previous design, or at least something based on a previous design, the Dove and the Rainbow and the picture shows the final product.
The proportions of my previous efforts (this one is the third) have always bothered me. The rainbow was too short and too wide. I managed to beg borrow and steal...well, not actually "steal"...chunks of a number of different types of wood for the rainbow. This rainbow is about twice a long as the previous ones, about 2/3s as wide and has an additional stripe. I would have like to have even more stripes but the colors of the wood I was able to find just weren't varied enough to merit it. The species of wood, from top to bottom are: Bloodwood, Cherry, Butternut, Oak and Purpleheart.
I wanted to have a place to add a little brass plate with the title and appropriate bible verses, so I added the cloud. The dove and the cloud are both carved from basswood.
One of the people that my wife works with reminded me that I really needed to add an olive branch. I had thought of the before but this time I bent one up of tinned copper wire, filled in the leaves with solder and superglued it in place. I think it was a nice touch although any similarity between it and a real olive twig is purely coincidental.
I hope you like it. One from the Bench:
Think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought.
To say the least, my daytime job is often "a bit different" from what most people experience in their lifetimes. Here's one reason why:
My company makes electronic signal equipment for the railroad industry. Quite a number of years ago my bosses decided to shoehorn some of our equipment into a Garden "G" Gauge model train so that they could demonstrate its operation on a moving (albeit small) train at trade shows. Over the years the train display has grown in size and complexity. The latest iteration measures 10 feet by 30 feet and has a bit more than 80 feet of track in sort of a "flattened dog bone" shape. The rear edge alone has 2 mainlines and 2 sidings, each more than 15 feet long!
Over the past few weeks it has actually been my job, if you can call it that, to spend my time cutting and fastening the track with foam rubber track bed on the new display. Yeah, I know. It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it!
The display is pretty much devoid of any scenery except for a couple pieces of wayside equipment, e.g., the signal lamps. The longer I worked on the track and the more I thought about it, the more it seemed to me that the signal lamps that we have used for years just didn't quite measure up to the standards of the new display, so I decided to make some replacements. The picture shows one of the four new signal lamps that I built.
I am sure that there are those who would slavishly conform to the required scale to ensure authenticity in all model train projects. I realized early on that, although all 4 of our trains are all considered "G" gauge trains, none of them were built to exactly the same scale. So, no matter what scale I chose, it wouldn't be quite right. Instead, I just sort of "eyeballed" the scale and made the signal lamps about 7 inches tall or about even with the average cab roof.
Originally, I had planned to blather on here with a blow by blow description of how I put it together on the off chance that someone might want to actually duplicate them. After a sobering evening's reflection I realized that anyone who was that interested could just look at my annotated photo and glean everything they need to know to duplicate what I did. If you want more info than that, just drop me an e-mail. I can probably tell you much more that you will want to listen to.:-)
The display will debut in September in Minneapolis (?) and then be disassembled and rushed to another show in New Orleans (?) just a week or two later. Now, on to the wiring...
One from the Bench:
Don't let your victories go to your head, or your failures go to your heart.
I mentioned a posting or so ago that I started and was working on a spoon with the theme of The Loaves and the Fishes? while I was participating in the recent Christmas craft show. One of the two women who had the table immediately to my left showed a considerable amount of interest in my progress as the two days went by. As we were packing up she asked if I would keep her informed as to my progress because she thought that it would make the *perfect gift* for (name withheld). I gave her my card and suggested that she call me in a week or so and I would be able to give her a progress update.
I finished carving the spoon a day or so later, sanded it and gave it the first coat of finish but then it sort of languished because I got involved with another project which will be the subject of my next posting. I was jolted back to reality when the woman called early this past week -- as she said she would -- to ask when it would be completed. With Thanksgiving on the horizon and the Grandkids coming into town, I wasn't sure that I would be able to deliver it until after this coming weekend. I did, however, assure her that I would have it done in plenty of time for Christmas.
As it turns out, the intervening project wrapped up more quickly than I expected so I was able to quickly get back to the spoon. I completed it today. So, here it is: The Loaves and Fishes Spoon.
One for the Bench:
Knowledge talks, wisdom listens....I'm doing all of the talking here...hmmmm...I'm not sure what that says about me :-)
The following is an editorial comment from the management of Carvin' Tom Woodcarving Blog. Those easily offended should avert their eyes from the screen...So, are the eyes of everyone who doesn't want to see what I have to say averted??? OK, here goes...
I guess I'm just getting old and crotchety, but these days I am just aghast at how otherwise intelligent people cannot seem to assemble a sentence that says what they really mean to say, for example:
During the news broadcast this morning I heard the (I'm assuming well-intentioned) announcer (who you would think had some mastery of the English language) say,
"It's Veteran's Day and there will be ceremonies honoring those veterans who lost their lives in cemeteries throughout the land."
...so does that mean that if those veterans had just had the sense to not wander into a cemetery they would be alive today? Or did he really mean to say,
"It's Veteran's Day and in cemeteries throughout the land there will be ceremonies honoring those veterans who lost their lives."
You'd think, particularly considering the intended message, that he could have gotten it right.
To all of my fellow Veterans, "Thanks, for a job well done!"
I'm feeling much better now...
'Til next time...Keep makin' chips -- and correcting deficient English
The show went very well. A long evening on Friday and a good day on Saturday. I understand that upwards of 1000 people filed through to see what was for sale. Not bad! I could have sold more but I'm happy with what did go. At first I was concerned that I had too high a price on the Birdhouse Christmas Ornament but felt better about it when I saw that people were actually buying them in pairs. So at least for some folks the price was right. I'm guessing too that there were a lot of pairs of Grandkids out there that will be getting Ornaments as part of their Christmas. I haven't yet decided whether to do it again next year. It seems that I spent a lot of time this year making stuff for the show and not enough "just for fun". I'll have to think on that some while I carve. I was working on a new design as I sat there. A spoon with a "Loaves and Fishes" theme to the handle. I wish that I had a couple of them because people really seemed to find them interesting. The spoon is almost done -- I'm sanding and have put the first coat of finish on it. I'll post it as soon as I'm done.
One from the Bench:
You're never too old to learn something stupid! 'Til next time...keep makin' Chips!
If you recall I hadn't been posting too many new things because I have been busy making items for an upcoming Craft Show. Well, here is one of those items: Turned Wooden Birdhouse Christmas Ornaments.
I can't take all of the credit for what you see because, by and large, I stole the techniques lock, stock and barrel from an on-line article by Eugen Schlaak at www.woodturningonline.com/Turning/Turning_content/Bird House.pdf (Note: You might have to copy that link and paste it into your browser, clicking on this Hyperlink seems to be problematic, at least for my browser.).
However, I do claim a little credit for one enhancement that I made to his technique and for some added, hand-carved touches. I suggest if you would like to make one (or more) of these delightful ornaments that you start with his excellent instructions and then augment them with my suggestions.
Enhancement: The Use of "Jam Chucks"
I tried following Eugen's directions but I don't have a cool mini-fingered chuck like his, so I had difficulty gripping the narrow edge of the partially turned piece when I reversed it for the final steps. It kept popping off if I put even a small amount of pressure on the wood as it turned.
So, I ended up turning two "Jam Chucks" to hold the two pre-drilled blocks, one for the roof and one for the "body" of the house. Strictly speaking, I guess these aren't really "Jam Chucks" because a true jam chuck uses only friction to hold the wood and these have an internal, hidden screw to lock everything down. So, for the purpose of this blog I guess these should be considered "Screw Chucks" although I have never seen that expression used.
The first chuck is 1" in diameter to fit the hole that is drilled into the bottom ("body") block. The second one is 1.25" in diameter to fit into the top ("roof") block. Since it is considered "bad form" to show up at the local wood turner's club (or anywhere else for that matter) with bloodied knuckles, when you make your chucks be sure to make the "neck" on each of them long enough ensure that the rotating lathe chuck jaws can't scuff up your knuckles while you're turning or sanding.
As I mentioned, the thing that really holds the wood block in place is the long woodscrew that runs through the middle of the jam chuck. Drill a dead-center hole through the chuck and countersink it deep enough to permit a long #10 woodscrew (or bigger) to stick about 1/2" out the "business end" of the chuck when fully cranked down. The direction of the woodscrew threads causes the block to tighten onto the screw chuck as the lathe tools work against the wood so the block actually becomes tighter as you turn it. In fact I've had a couple that didn't want to come loose until I backed the screw out a turn or two.
To attach the block to the chuck, back the screw out so that just barely protrudes from the end of the screw chuck. Then insert the screw chuck squarely into the hole in the end of the block. With a long screwdriver running through the center of the lathe chuck, tighten the screw into the block until the block is snuggly affixed on the end of the screw chuck. If you don't have a screwdriver that is long enough (and I don't), you might have to remove the chuck from the lathe (like I did). If you have predrilled the hole in the wood block with a Forstner bit as Eugen suggests then you'll have a nice little dimple to start the wood screw into. If the wood is really soft (like some of the poplar that I have been using), you may wish to extend the dimple into a small pilot hole to make sure that the screw "really digs in" to the wood instead of just spinning around and never really catching hold.
Since running a screw into end grain is not all that secure, as an added safety precaution I kept the tailstock pressed against the opposite end of the block until most of the cutting was complete. Then, I backed it out of the way to finish the tip of the roof or house. By this time there was little to cause the block to loosen up.
Since now I don't have to switch from one setup to another, I have removed an entire step from the process. And if you're making a bunch of these ornaments, like I was (and I expect that you might be, too, after your family and friends get a look at them) streamlining the process is a big deal. :-)
As far as the design is concerned, I try very hard to make them all different. When you think about it, round birdhouses don't really make much sense so I just let my inner Dr. Seuss decide what each one is supposed to look like as I turn them on the lathe. That is part of the fun.
Enhancement #2: The Use of Carved Birds
Eugen used "store-bought" birds as the finishing touch to bring a nice splash of bright color to his birdhouses. But I chose not to for two reasons:
* First, I simply couldn't find them. It turns out that they are a "Christmas only" item at the craft store that I visited and with a November 5th craft show deadline looming over me, I couldn't wait for them to show up.
* Second, I'm a woodcarver and using "store bought" birds just wouldn't do:-)
Up until now I have avoided carving birds because...well...they're kind of tough to do. If you look at a bird's body it is just sort of one continuously varying curve. And what's worse, unlike a caricature, if you don't get the curve "completely right" then it looks "completely wrong". But, "These guys are small," I reasoned, "And I don't need much detail." So I proceeded.
Armed with some photos of Cardinals from yet another Google Image search, I cut some little basswood sticks and set out to carve a bunch of birds. It took about 3 birds before I got it right. I went back and touched up the first couple and ended up with some pretty acceptable birds. A little red and black paint and voila...birds! I got tired of all of the Cardinals so I lopped off the topknot from one bird a tried making it into a Bluebird. I got the shape right, but I'm not so sure about the multicolored paint job. So as a result, there was only one Bluebird!
As I write this, it suddenly occurs to me: "Do Cardinals even use birdhouses?" If not, I guess I'll just classify this as another example of "Christmas Magic." :-)
Enhancement #3: Add a little Comedy
My son made an off-hand remark that gave me the idea to make some comical birdhouses. So I carved the back end of Santa Claus, just his boots, pants and white fur border of his coat. I mounted the carved figure trying to squeeze himself headfirst into the birdhouse to deliver Christmas presents for the birds.
Now, I'm anxious to see which sells better, birds or Santa.
Use of "Found" Wood
In both cases, the birdhouse "body" in both shots is Holly (appropriate for the season) with a Cherry roof. Some of the other woods that I used are Tulip Poplar and Wormy Chestnut. I have been trying to use only "found" wood in all of my turnings of late. The Maple came from a beam that my brother pulled out of an old barn in Ohio. The fact that it had been notched the way that they only do in old "Timber built" buildings and that it was just unbelievably cruddy leads me to believe that it is quite old. The Wormy Chestnut was part of a shelf from a building torn down in the 1980s and must be nearly 100 years old. I'm not sure about the holly.
One For the Bench:
"Any time that you enjoy wasting, is not really wasted."
'Til next time...Keep makin' chips!p.s. Sorry for the choppiness of this posting but the posting tool that they gave me is pretty quirky and more than a little buggy:-(.
As I mentioned before, I have been busy getting ready for an upcoming Craft Show in November. But finally, I can reveal a couple of the new spoons for this year’s show. Folks, meet Santa, the Snowman and the Holly Spoon.
I’m reasonably pleased with these spoons and I’m very anxious to see how well the crowd likes them. Because they have more detail and are painted, they take considerably more time to produce than my other spoons. So, unfortunately unless people snap them up, I may have to forego them next year.
There is not much to say about them. They were carved from Basswood, as you have probably already guessed.
The Holly Spoon is a modified version of a common used pattern. I think that I’m going back to the old style. I think the overall balance was better.
I’ve carved several of the Snowman spoons over the years. I used the patented “Lynn Daughty Polka Dot Painting Technique” on this one. It is amazing what a nice job the blunt end of a toothpick will do!
I had a little trouble with Santa this year. I don’t think that he is jolly enough. I’ll have to work on him for next year.
If you’re in the Pittsburgh Area and want to see them in person, send me an e-mail and I’ll tell you where the show is located.
One for the Bench:
"A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory."
I got a little tried of the "old look" and decided to try a new template for the blog. This one lets me spread out the text just a little so the verbiage is less like trying to read a newspaper column.
Personally, I think it is easier to read. Let me know what you think.
One for the bench:
Why is it that most people will believe you if you say that there are invisible subatomic particles but will always test the surface when you leave a note saying that the paint is wet?
I’m still cranking out pieces for a show that is coming up the first week in November, so today I’m going to pull another photo out of the archives to post. I promise that as soon as I have something new to show for my recent efforts, I’ll post it here.
This is a pair of carvings that I did a couple of years ago and is the beginning of an entire set of A Christmas Carol caricatures. Scrooge is about 10" tall and Marley about 8".
I guess the most notable feature is that each figure was carved from a single block of wood. Well, as I think about it I guess that is not completely correct, because Scrooge’s cane and the junk around Marley’s neck are separate pieces. But the basic figure and its base were carved from one piece.
Now-a-days, at the advice of many, I typically carve the head separately so that:
1) the head is out of the way simplifying the carving of the rest of the body,
2) a “mis-carved” head can be discarded if it doesn’t quite measure up to my standards and
3) you can add a lot more personality if you can rotate or cock the head slightly when you glue it on. Its pretty obvious that these guys are just a bit “stiff” and would have benefited from a separately carved head.
I was discussing with Sally, one of the members of my carving club, where I might find a good chain for Marley. She said she had just the thing. She went into her house and returned with a necklace that she didn’t want any more...just a spritz of black spray paint and viola an old, heavy metal chain. I carved a few small locks, ledger books and a cash box to complete the figure.
I hope to some day add at least Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim.
One from the Bench:
The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open.
This is the other carving that I have been holding back in posting because it was a gift and I didn't want to spoil the surprise. I really don't have much to say about the spoon itself, but I'd like to say a little about the parties who received it.
My wife and I threw a big party this past June for our 40th wedding anniversary and invited Dave and Kathy, the spoon recipients, and a bunch of other folks, too.
Dave and I had gone to the same university. We had studied, laughed and had run car rallies together. I remember vividly the night that he introduced me to the "Tummy-buster", the biggest and best hamburger in the state of Ohio! Great eatin', but I'm not sure the place is still there now.
Dave was one of my groomsmen at our wedding, but after that we went our separate ways, Dave to the Army as an Officer and me to industry as an Electrical engineer and later (briefly) as an Air Force enlisted man. We lost track of one another, but about 4 or 5 years ago, on a whim, I decided to Google his name to see what I could find. Sure, enough, there he was! Google managed to kick up an obscure memo with his e-mail address.
So I sent the typical profound sort of e-mail inquiry that this sort of situation requires. You know the type. They generally sound like: "Golly Gee Whiz, are you're the Dave "so-and-so" that graduated from the University of "so-and-so" back in 19XX and drove that rundown, white Corvair?"
In typical "Dave" fashion he quickly responded with, "Why yes, I am...but...uh...you're not going to try to sell me Amway products now, are you?"
Ah, it is so good to know that some things never change. :-)
Although we live many miles apart, we have had some really great times together. Kathy and my wife share quilting and Grandparent experiences while Dave and I have had a chance to share some of our military experiences. A couple of years ago, I was able to show him the site where I spent the majority of my Air Force time "way back when". At the time it was a classified location, now it is just another, non-descript, semi-abandoned, government building enclosed by a chain link fence.
The same day he showed me where he had been in the Pentagon on 9/11. Had the plane been a little bigger or flying a little faster or the building a little less robust or his desk in a different part of the building, he wouldn't have been around to do that.
