Re: not turned
Mike Schwing from Md.
>Thanks everybody, and Ed, I'd gladly tell you how I did it.
I started with a long square blank - wet wood, but only because that is what I had. I decide in my head what I want it to look like, and then trace the outline from the rear perspective on one side. I then trace the side profile on an adjoining side. After that it is taken to the bandsaw where one profile is cut out. The offcuts are taped back on and then the remaining profile is sawn. This gives you your blank, with square surfaces. From there it is simple rotary carving, with the bulk of the work being done by ball shaped Kutzall burrs. The hollowing of the ladle is done the same way, but it is into end grain so a lot more effort is required till you get it a little deep and can work the face grain.
I prefer the ball shaped bits to the sleeve types for all of the shaping involved.
I do the ladle first, saving the mass of the handle for last in case I bang it against something while working on the ladle.
When I have the shape I'm after I start smoothing and refining with finer and finer bits till I'm ready to sand by hand. I keep the blank in a plastic bag in between sessions. When done shaping, and before sanding, it goes into the microwave for a few 60 second bursts to fully dry the wood before finishing.
The main thing to keep in mind is that sanding REALLY reduces the diameter, so you have to stop shaping well in advance of the finished form. That isn't very easy to grasp in the head while you're working on the project.
Wet wood isn't really any easier to carve with these bits than dry wood, far as I can tell, but it is nicer in that the dust is heavier and falls to the ground rather than stay suspended in the air.
Truthfully, making these is way more fun, challenging and interesting than turning a bowl.
