Probably should've spent the day working on my demo but this was calling to me to finish it. I learned a lot on this one and hopefully the next one will be better. Sometimes my work really does look better in the dark

 

Steve

I'm impressed...

That is gorgeous! 

 

The real challenge must have been finding the chicken! Just kidding!

 

I imagine it must have been a real challenge was hollowing the egg.

How amazing.  What are the dimensions?  It has to be at least as big as a goose egg.  Great idea and execution.

WOWSER!

1 hour ago, HandyDan said:

How amazing.  What are the dimensions?  It has to be at least as big as a goose egg.  Great idea and execution.

 

 

Thanks to all!

 

Dan, the egg itself is about 4" tall and not quite 3" major diameter.

 

Lew,  you are correct, for me, the most difficult part is the hollowing. I was aiming for 1/16", it's closer to an eighth at the top and there are a couple areas where I nearly went through. Hopefully, more consistent results will come with practice.

 

Steve

Steve, I just have to ask did you make the perforations before the hollowing?  If you made the perforations before hollowing, how did you keep it from cracking open?  Did you tape it or wrap it with a piece of stretchy rubber?  I would love to see your steps.  Thank you.

 

Steve, the old FlGatorwood

@Steve Krumanaker  WOW² That turned out remarkable. You have taken your talents to the next level. Thanks for letting us share in your creativity.

Looks better in every step. Great finish to a great project.

8 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Steve, I just have to ask did you make the perforations before the hollowing?  If you made the perforations before hollowing, how did you keep it from cracking open?  Did you tape it or wrap it with a piece of stretchy rubber?  I would love to see your steps.  Thank you.

 

Steve, the old FlGatorwood

 

Thanks again to everyone!

 

Steve,

The piercing is done after the egg is off the lathe, even so, at my skill level there will still be cracks! Just don't quite have the finesse at this point to do this without a booboo or two. It didn't help that I really did get too thin in a couple spots either. But fortunately, that's what they make super glue for and the stippling serves to hide those areas.

It is my intention, after I get a little more comfortable with this to do a video so that will show the process.

 

Steve

Steve what are you using to make the holes. I have some suggestions but would like to know the tools you are using. Your bits might be a way too aggressive which would make it harder to control and going in to next door would ruin things right quick.

 It looks good enough for you to devote more time making a large selection. I had started researching  buying wooden eggs and doing designs which seem like where the money is and not making the eggs, especially when buying two or three dozen eggs at a time.

2 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

Steve what are you using to make the holes. I have some suggestions but would like to know the tools you are using. Your bits might be a way too aggressive which would make it harder to control and going in to next door would ruin things right quick.

 It looks good enough for you to devote more time making a large selection. I had started researching  buying wooden eggs and doing designs which seem like where the money is and not making the eggs, especially when buying two or three dozen eggs at a time.

 

I am using an ultra high speed dental drill with a .7mm carbide bur. The drill turns at about 350,000 rpm and with the small bur is about as not grabby as you can imagine. Any mishaps fall squarely on my  inexperienced shoulders, I can turn an egg fairly quickly and that will only improve as I do more of them. It's important, of course, that the eggs I use are hollow and fairly thin and I would guess the purchased ones would be solid?

 

Steve

Google hollow wood eggs. Buy a few at a time and save. I think wife showed me some at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It does seem like the prices goes way up after someone carves their designs..

 

In my carving and learning if the bit starts chattering I need to reduce the coarseness of the bit and speed is not as important. I like the flexible shaft Dremel and hardly ever run it full speed. I do have a larger Foredom set up but its better for totem poles and big bears. The air grinders are great and less things to wear out.

 

Do look over Wood Carvers supply. I like the small sizes Kutzall carbide burrs, which I think will last a few years without showing any wear, and when they get clogged up I soak them in lacquer thinner and clean them with a real fine wire brush, hand held, not spinning. The diamond bits are great for me and do a smooth finish.

8 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

Google hollow wood eggs. Buy a few at a time and save. I think wife showed me some at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It does seem like the prices goes way up after someone carves their designs..

 

 

Thanks for that idea, I never imagined a person could buy them hollow. Looking at a few of the sources however I don't believe they would work for this type of project as pierced work is normally less than 1/8" thick and 1/16"  thick is about ideal. The ones I saw looked to be 1/4" or more, still, I can definitely see different potential for them. I don't know if you've ever much pierced work but I hesitate to call it "carving" as it generally isn't 3d at all. It's a much different animal I think and so uses different technique.

 

Steve

oh, WOW! Just WOW!