carving chisels

Re: carving chisels *LINK*

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>He probably does ;>)


How to carve a claw & ball foot

Re: carving chisels *LINK*

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>Found this also...


http://www.woodcentral.com/shots/shot499.shtml

Re: carving chisels

Justin W in Ann Arbor, MI

>I imagine that there's somebody out there who has carved a whole set of ball and claw feet with a good sharp pen knife. That said, I bet you'll get a bunch of different answers from carvers with a lot more experience that I have. But here's what I was taught to use (Pfeil numbering): 8/10; 5/20; 12/8 (60 deg v-tool); 25/13 (backbend); 1" sharp bench chisel; maybe a 7/10.

- Justin

Re: carving chisels

Ed Mulligan, Cape Cod

>Adam -

The shapes you use depend on the size of the foot you're making. Here's my list for a largish chair foot. The 5/25 chisel forms a ball with radius 1 5/16".

5 sweep 20 mm, radiused edge to set in the ball at the back of the foot

5 sweep 25 mm to form the ball

11 sweep 10 mm veiner for the webbing between the toes

25 sweep 10 mm back bent gouge for the toes and tendons

8 mm skew chisel

1 1/4" bench chisel

Ed

Re: carving chisels 

Ed Mulligan, Cape Cod

>

Re: carving chisels

Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL

>Nice work!

Question: What is the 1-1/4 inch bench chisel used for in this process?

Re: carving chisels

Tony - Memphis

>I took a class from Phil Lowe and I'm sure I have the tool list at home. Let me know if you want me to hunt it up. His video is money well spent. He does a pretty good job of telling you what tools he is using. Surprised me that it took so few. Some folks start with a v tool, and some stab (the toes). Phil is a stabber. Also, some use a flat chisel for the ball, but Phil shapes the ball via the curvature of the tool (makes sense to me). Anyway, holler if you want the info. That was a great class. We learned much more than B&C and it was just a good time all around. Nice folks in the class and nice folks in the shop.

Actually, I still have the blanks we made in class. We got enough material to complete a foot stool. I pulled all this stuff out a couple of weeks ago and decided to try and finish it. I've been procrastinating getting started though! I'm not much of a carver and I've only done the one B&C in class. Real proud of how it turned out, but Phil was over my shoulder! To make three more...I dunno! What inspired me was the chair class I took at Lonnie Birds last fall. I was determined to finsih that chair. It involved lots of handwork and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. All the shaping was very pleasing work. We carved a shell on the crest rail and the feet were trifid feet. Not much machined surface left on that chair!

ony

Re: carving chisels

Ed Mulligan, Cape Cod

>Thanks, Don -

The bench chisel is used for preliminary shaping of the leg, for preliminary shaping of ball, and anytime you want to take off a lot of material in a flat cut. BTW a small dovetail saw is also useful for rapid removal of waste.

Ed

Thanks Tony and everyone

Adam Cherubini, NJ

>If its not too much to ask, I would like to see that list.

I'm not carving as yet, but I have the opportunity to pick up some older gouges and I want to get tools I'll need in the future.

Thanks Tony and everyone for your helpful responses.

Adam

Re: carving chisels

Adam Cherubini, NJ

>No offense to anyone intended, but I've seen this mall chippendale furniture from indonesia that I think was done with bits of broken glass.

I find the work and workmanship repellant, but I can't help but admire the ingenuity of the workers. One wonders what those guys (or gals?) could do with my tools.

Thanks for your two cents. Broken glass and pen knives aside, it seems there is some concensus regarding tools needed to carve the ball and claw.

Adam

Re: Thanks Tony and everyone

Dan Donaldson

>I would also like to add my recommendation to the Video by Phil Lowe that was referenced above. It is a good tape that covers the layout as well as the carving. I think the layout info was very helpful in seeing what is going on with the foot.

ok...

Tony - Memphis

>I'll try and find it this week. I just straightened up a bit in the shop, so it shouldn't as hard to find now!

Tony