rafairchild2

Since I still had a bit of the walnut slab left, I made another (smaller) version of the spoon as there wasn't enough material for a full-size one. I made the "bowl" more modern and deeper than the primitive bowl. Here is an image comparing the two. Actually, it was quite quick to make and finish as I used the flex wheel sander to shape the handle and the back of the bowl. I decided to use my rotary tool and Kutzall bit to carve out the bowl. Finished with raw linseed oil.

I have the same WEN belt/ Disc Sander! I also have the 20x1 inch belt/ Disc sander. I mainly use it for stropping my carving tools. But it is quick to change belts, so I use it for my smaller pieces, and it is right by my carving station. We need to come up with a better top vac too. I was thinking of something that sort of wraps around the blade area in a horseshoe shape. Still working it out in my mind, as it needs to adjust to the thickness of the wood.

I wear big clunky bifocals made from shatterproof lens material. Additionally, I always use my 5x magnifier, which is another barrier. From there, I have a WEN air filtration unit going as well as my filtered a/c that blows across me and keeps dust in the air moving away from me to the WEN. Of course, I have top and bottom vac to get most of the dust away. many people just use the 'puffer' and that blows dust right on you for the most part.

Here is a piece I just finished. More sanding to shape than carving, just playing with different techniques. The only carving was the bowl. I included a couple of photos of the slab of 3/4" dark walnut I cut it out from. You can also see the amount of shaping and sanding I did in the last image.

I did an experiment with blades this past weekend. Pegas, Flying Dutchman and Niqua. I found the #3 Pegas RS and the Modified geometry, although very sharp to be very aggressive in its cut. The #3 was harder to control vs the #5. Niqua is a rebranded Flying Dutchman. What I have found over the last 100 projects I have worked on, that I tend to go-to the Flying Dutchman #5 Ultra Reverse as my 'every-day blade". I control it very well from 1/4 to 3/4-inch wood. it cuts clean with no fuzzies, no need to sand my cuts either, saving time. It is not as aggressive as the Pegas, which fits my slow cutting style. That being said. Get yourself a mix of blades to experiment with, you will find what WORKS FOR YOU.

From what I see you need to slow your blade speed down a bit, and also slow down how fast you feed your wood to the blade. Go really slow, let the blade do the work, do not push. Pause frequently and back up a little. Speed will come later. Blade speed you will need to adjust depending on thickness and hardness of wood. Also, try using real wood as that looks like a composite. The glue will mess you up as you learn right now. Baltic Birch plywood is another good learning wood. Start with 1/2 inch. The thinner the wood, the tough it is to control at first and you get those blowouts you see on some of your lines. The main point is GO SLOW... nail those lines splitting them perfectly. Going slow you will also get smooth lines, focus on those two things first. Plan your cuts and turns too, know in advance if you are going to back up, change directions, do a nibble cut, or sweep into the waste area and then turn back to nail a 90 degree. Note the 3rd image and how I go past my line into the waste area and nibble out an area where i can turn my blade to the opposite direction. This way I get really sharp corners. Also, if you do not have a 5x magnifier I would recommend one. (4th image) See the image below. I go REALLY slow to nail lines.

For me it is a few things. I hear a tonal change in how the wood is cutting, I also find that the blade starts to drift more and becomes more difficult to control, and I also find that I am pushing harder, or I have to turn the speed up more. Really, it is something that comes the more you cut. Just talk to yourself as you cut, and note how the blade works when new, and after so many inches or minutes of cutting (depending on wood hardness too).

Rainy days and MonSundays...

Welcome aboard! Just take your time, go slow and watch your lines and how the blade moves. Where in Eastern PA are you?

I'm with you, but I like cats. I have my twin American Bombays, but the one I call "Fat Man" the 19 pounder, is my companion. I hear him mewing as he brings me "gifts", usually a few of his toys. In one afternoon he once brought me 11 of his toys on at a time! His name is Atticus, and he will come up and sit on my lap and snuggle when I am at my desk, or crawl up on me when I lay down for my afternoon siesta... (I am up at 3 am, and on base by 3:30 am each day). Having 19lbs of solid cat on you is something to behold. The cat sitting on the laptop was my companion cat who died in 2018. I had her for 15 years. She was amazing, always bringing me gifts of socks or her toys... Her name was "Indy", if you rubbed her fur backwards you would see that her fur was white with black tips. Atticus' brother is Atlas. He is affectionate, but just does not want to crawl up on me. The 3rd photo was when they were a little younger and smaller. Last photo a little kitty p0rn with a flash!

Funy thing is, I printed out that pattern last night along with the "reeds" pattern. I have some wood coming in, so I want to practice on different varieties and improve my carving.

I am getting them off the internet, or modifying other scroll saw patterns. But I just got a book called Fine Art of Carving Lovespoons: Understanding, Designing, and Carving Romantic Heirlooms (Fox Chapel Publishing). I got it used off Amazon for $17. It has the Lillies and also the grapes Scrappile posted.

That's ringing a bell. I might have one if you don't. Let me check when I get home from work later today.

Mine was fine. Email them, maybe they'll get out a new one.

First modification I made to my Excalibur when I got it.

Just put some Old Masters satin finish on this one. Started it yesterday, made out of Black Limba. Overall about 4 hours into it. It's funny, I have so far given all but one of my spoons away as gifts. This one is going to a French Officer who is leaving the USA in 2 weeks, after being here at NATO HQ for 3 years.

Wonderful job. I love making wheeled vehicle toys. CArs, trucks, animals... you name it. VVvvrroommm!

Well, this type of behavior keeps me out of trouble, so that's a good thing! Working on new designs, and also ordered more wood sized for making spoons. I have adjusted my technique and having "blanks" helps me a lot.

You know it is the simple things in life. My grandson (just over 4 months) playing with a simple rattle I made for him. Put your headphones on and you can hear the "Clack". After a long day in the office, this video made my day. I just gave a similar rattle to a Turkish officer who just had his first child this week. His tour is over at NATO here in the US and returns to Turkey at the end of the month. I made a number of toys for his daughter. Edit.. hmmm no audio? IMG_9693.3gp

I am using 1/2 inch. I find the Red Cedar cuts and carves really well. I also like Birds eye maple and walnut. harder to carve, but much stronger. Some folks do their spoons in 1/4, but I find that too thin.

These are patterns I found, but I have modified some. I am currently working on my own designs now that I am getting comfortable with carving.

Here's is my work for the week. Hand-rubbed Old Master Gel satin polyurethane. What a difference it makes, giving the completed look. I will never use anything else for my finer pieces. Still a few things to master, but overall I am pleased with my first efforts creating Welsh Love Spoons.

I don't know.... It's really blurry, like those big foot photos....

Next time I make one, I am going to laser in the names. Also, since I do framed backer storage, I will laser in the pattern and names so there is a guide in it. This is one I did a little while back (pre-owning a laser).

Your penguins remind me of the work of my cousin Stewart Moskowitz.