Official Luthiers Forum!

I used the Forums limited allotted space to give you a good idea of my progression of an actual heel carving. Plans are to come up with a video of a carved project soon.
4 tools were used on this oak leaf carving. 1/8' V palm chisel, 1/8" flat palm chisel, 1/4" U gouge palm tool. I used a small nail set with sharpened/hollowed out end (with small round grinding bit on a flex shaft) to produce a round stippling tool for the background.
Enjoy....Hope you get something out of it.
Kent Bailey

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Very skillful work Kent, and great tutorial! On the right instrument, it would look brilliant!

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Dave
Milton, ON

Thanks for sharing Kent. Your mastery of the tools and your skill level makes it look easy.... which I'm sure it is not. The neck appears to be Spanish Cedar?

That neck is going to really be a beautiful addition to your guitar and someone's prized posession

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Peter

A1 first class work Kent.

thanks for postin it.


blessings
the
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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do you mind sharing what chissles you are using and where you got them? (maybe post a pic or two if you have any)

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~shad peters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petersinstruments/
http://petersinstruments.blogspot.com/
http://petersinstruments.com/

also, it goes without saying, but that is gorgeous work.

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~shad peters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petersinstruments/
http://petersinstruments.blogspot.com/
http://petersinstruments.com/

Nice work! Where did you use the 1/4" U tool?
I saw a neat Woodwright show yesterday that had a carving demo. It was a larger scale though but still interesting.

You make it look so easy! Great design.

I just ordered the chisels from LeeValley that Padma suggested.
Do you have any resources you can recommend for designs?

Yo Chris

Frank Fords instrument museum http://frets.com/FRETSPages/Museum/museum.html
has some nice samples of banjos with carved necks....look at the Bacon & Day instruments, they were noted for the carved neck treatment.

Also run searches for wood carving designs, rifle checkering designs. Plenty of stuff on line.

Lee Valley use to have a tutorial on how to sharpen the "V" or parting tool...it is critical that this tool be sharpened properly or it will give you no end of aggravation trying to part a line with it. When done properly, it is a true joy to see a design come alive with just a few simple strokes.

The trick in carving is to think and produce "clean, clear, defined cuts" The most common mistake is to "wittle" away at the wood which yields the shaved cut piece being broken off and showing tear out end grain of where the chisel stopped. But Chris, having seen you videos and your skill set, you should have no problems....just keep them harry scarry very sharp and then honed to boot and enjoy your carving. It is phenomenally relaxing.


blessings
the
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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