Relief Carving

[Mongo40]

Been trying to do some relief carving an just not working out for me looks very crude, the examples I see the wood is very smooth, mine is very ruff looking just can't get the smooth clean look, I usually don't have a problem when i start some kind of craft like this, but its definitly not easy, been practicing on scrap pieces of wood before I try anything I'm wanting to keep. Any sites out there that I might look at or read for helping me out in this or anyone got any tips. Thanks

 

[hoochiepapa]

I'm new, too. The only thing I can advise is get books on carving, and keep your tools SHARP. I have learned what little I know by doing the same as you.
Wish I was more help.
Maybe go to the gunbuilder's bench and talk to fellers there. There are several well known smiths there that will be a help.

 

[LRB]

In some ways, it is much like engraving. You have to be able to draw a nice design before you cut. There are two basic methods to carve the design, both of which are correct. One is stab in the design, then remove the background. The other is cut with a V chisle then remove back ground. The stab in is easier and faster to learn, and most of the finer carvings are done by this method. There are much better wood carvers on this board than me, but here are a few photos showing progress from the initial cutting in. As you see, I use the exacto knife for getting the back ground out of tight places, and I use one for the initial stab in, but most builders use narrow homemade chisles for that, but are still stabbing with them. A matter of choice.

 

[Mongo40]

Ok, I appreciate the pics my background is ruff like your first pic an was wondering how you get it so smooth in all those delicate little corners, I see you've taken pixie sticks an made little sanding sticks out of them so clears that part up, beautiful work by the way. Thanks.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Nice, Wick!
I'm not the only one that uses his wife's nail files to sand with. Only trouble is, now she says I have to buy my own. :shake:

 

[LRB]

I make mine using different grits of automotive paper. I glue a row of the craft sticks on the paper leaving just enough space between to cut them out. Then I true the edge with a slight angle by holding them on a 6x48 belt sander, which also can be used to shape points when needed. To smooth back grounds, I use chisles to get them basicly flat, then riffle files, then sand to 220 grit. More of same gun.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Man! Beautiful! Is that an early rifle?

 

[LRB]

It is an Edward Marshall style. Yes, supposedly early. In carving, I mostly use palm chisles in working the back grounds and using my left hand as a brake. Notice the small half round stag mounted palm chisles. These are made from tempered music wire, the hollow being shaped with a round needle file. These are for detailing and molding. I have a 1/8", and a 3/32". My main chisles and gouges are from a $10.00 el cheapo packet I bought from Sears back in the seventies, but they do the job just fine. If you think I may be a cheapskate, you would be right! Just my opinion, but it isn't the price of the tools, it is how you use them, and one can get by quite well with just a minimum of them. I am even cheaper when it comes to engraving tools.

 

[Robby]

That is just beautiful Wick!! It has kind of a high end Moravian look to me. Thanks.
Robby

 

[LRB]

That was the intent Robby, but I probably took it too far, especially the engraving. I kinda used it as a practice/experimental plate for carving and engraving. This began as a Tip Curtis "in the white" that I was asked to finish, but I might as well have built it myself. I ended up re-building and reshaping nearly everything, including making a new wood box cover. The one that came on it was too sloppy in fit. The owner is so anal with it, I am the only person allowed to handle it now, and I think he would rather I didn't very often.

 

[hoochiepapa]

How about that! An Edward Marshall type is my next project. I'm using the Christians Springs style patchbox, though, that I got from Jack Brooks.
You do very nice work. Can I contact you if I run into problems?

 

[LRB]

Sure, but I may not be the expert you might think I am.

 

[hoochiepapa]

I have heard of your name before this site. I don't remember where, I have been to so many shows. Your knowledge is ten fold what mine is, and I learned a long time ago that you can learn something from almost anybody. Learning from you or Jerry or Keith is what guys like me dream about.
Thanks in advance.
Mike
P.S. how about posting pics of the entire rifle?
What caliber is it? Mine's a .58-who knows maybe I'll end up keeping it?

 

[LRB]

Not very good pics, they were taken by the owner, and it was cold blued later on. The cold blue looks much better. The color is darker than the first two photos. More like the rest of the photos show.

 

[longshot47]

Wick-
Another 'tour de force'!
The energy, balance and grace expressed by your work is absolutely hypnotic.
I'd make a pact with the devil to call that mine.
~LS

 

[Mongo40]

Incredible work Wick!!! You don't give yourself enough credit, a true craftsman an artist.
Chris

 

[Robby]

I'm sure the fellow in possession of that beautiful gun is getting every bit as much the enjoyment of owning it, as I am, in looking at your pictures! :hatsoff:
Robby

 

[flashpanner]

Check out Zonie's work, as well as others, in the Gun builder's bench forum. There are some really talented guys and gals here.
Wick, nice work!! How many hours did you put into the carving? Consider yourself in the elite group of master builders:bow:

 

[BillinOregon]

Mongo: Play the PowerPoint slide show on this site. It is simply awesome.
http://www.flintriflesmith.com/ToolsandTechniques/tools_and_techniques.htm

 

[Troy Allen Christianson]

Oh Wick! How could you give that to somebody in such atrocious condition....just kidding. I'm speechless. I have a TOTW Edward Marshal rifle kit in my closet that I have been intending on finishing for eight years. I'm such a slug. I need to show The Wife your finished rifle and tell her that mine "could" look like that if I had time to work on it :wink: