In my last project I realized I only used two bit on the entire process..Both 1/8" shaft size and both came from WCS. The diamond bit does a good job of removing the furrows the other bit leaves.

On the left is a diamond coated and the other is a carbide. Thats all I used making this clock. Plus a little sand paper but very little this go around..For some reason I never picked up my go to bit, the knobby looking bugger. It throws wood all over the place faster than the others but it causes lots of burning to be cleaned up later..

  My ole back sure does like this kind of wood working better for I stay sitting in a chair while carving..

I don't know if this is what you thought this clock would end up looking, well I didn't either but I never know whats in my mind when its time for the shiny!!

 

I still have to work over the finish and am waiting for it to dry more.

Oh and I did all the back side work the first thing this time instead of last. Only thing wrong with that is the location of the face position hadn't been decided yet. The reason for the second hole, I decided it needed

to move down a little. I think I might need to change brands of movements so I can leave the wood thicker where the movement goes through. This one is about an 1/8" thick.

  This area might give some a headache which I never thought of when trying to get guys into carving.

I just this week stumbled upon a way to bring out the grain in maple. Now I need to try it on more different pieces to see if I get the same results.

   For the plywood, the baltic birch is really nice to work with..Just wish I were closer to Woodworkers Source.

   Oh by the way, I only used one color stain on the carvings and the body..

Edited March 31, 20179 yr by Smallpatch

Thanks!

 

Maybe you posted this and I missed it, but, what species of wood do you use to create the "carvings"?

4 minutes ago, lew said:

Thanks!

 

Maybe you posted this and I missed it, but, what species of wood do you use to create the "carvings"?

Also, how do you create your patterns? 

Patch, you are in a class of your own with these clocks...Amazing just to sit & admire!

How long do these bits generally last? What process do you use to clean them from pitch build-up? Approximately what is your shaft speed RPM or does that vary depending on the wood species?

BTW...the color(s) on this one are really classy...As always, thanks for taking the time to share your work...NEVER gets old to see what what you've created!!

Lew I been using maple for the clocks for a couple years now. Started out using Ash but running low. Probably most carvers prefer softer hardwood.

   Gene I start out with the graph paper on about everything I do. The jewelry boxes using the scroll saw was all laid out on the graph paper and a french curve set. Look back through my pictures I show how I start the process.. I have been buying the pressed wood appliques as they are called for a long time and saving them for future use. I always try to by them in matching pairs and that is what is laid out on the graph paper to trace around. On the clocks this is what I glue on to the wood to scroll saw out.

 

I found this pattern I used to cut this clock . I have to keep the sizes under 20 inches  because thats all my scroll saw can handle. This is the picture someone said was too many pieces sticking out for him to like. You can see where I am fond of certain appliques for some show up on lots of my stuff. Lots of places sells the small carving, appliques in pairs. Sometimes too small for my need so I trace around them run that through the printer and enlarge them into many different sizes.

  If I wanted to save this pattern for later use I would take it to a printer shop and have them make a few copies. On all the patterns I ever bought I always never use the original. I would make copies and file the original for later...Its better if the pattern is small enough to fit in my printer, cheaper that way.

 There are a million things a person can save to make, like this scene, came out of a scroll saw mag.

  As long as a person has a cheap printer, especially one that is a 4 in one model sizes don't matter.

  I also buy the larger carvings and then cut them into usable sizes for certain  projects. This is where my header came from. I cut the top part of this clock piece from the larger carving above the clock. And after I traced around it I put it in the printer and enlarged it just enough to fit in my scheme of things..But before I cut them up I save drawings of the full size pieces so if I ever need something that big, its somewhere I can find, usually later than sooner.

Hey its not necessary to make each pair of carvings exactly the same. I still do a lot of experimenting as I grind away to learn what looks good and what don't.

     

Edited March 31, 20179 yr by Smallpatch

Thanks!

Dave I drop the bits in a glass of lacquer thinner for a while then use a really fine wire brush, bristles just large enough to see,,, ..On dried hardwood they don't need much cleaning.

 These are some years old, don't remember but they are not like the dremel bits. I do use a dremel grinder but the bits wear out too quick. The one in the middle is a wood slinging dude. I've used it on aluminum and it does get clogged on plastic and anything but hard steel. But after I soak it for a while it comes back looking new with all its dingle berries in tack. Wood Carvers Supply. com  I have the numbers or I already posted them in past post.

5 minutes ago, lew said:

Thanks!

Double DITTO.

I'll have to use a bandsaw, though. 

Could you please post a link(s) to your source for the appliques. What I've found aren't nearly as nice as yours. 

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Patch, you are in a class of your own with these clocks...Amazing just to sit & admire!

How long do these bits generally last? What process do you use to clean them from pitch build-up? Approximately what is your shaft speed RPM or does that vary depending on the wood species?

BTW...the color(s) on this one are really classy...As always, thanks for taking the time to share your work...NEVER gets old to see what what you've created!!

Couldn't have said it better Dave, Outstanding, Patch, and I am a real admirer of your work. Thanks for explaining the details, that clears my mind of the process.

I have a question, why are you using a pendulum movement when the pendulum is hidden?

Herb

Gene 2 places are really cheaper than most.

 store.artwood.com

www.dlawlesshardware.com

 

Actually all you need is one applique. trace around it. Print that. Cut it out with sissors then flip it over color the edges a dark color and print that. Now you got a matching pair to use.

  Also Hobby Lobby and Michaels has some as well as Lowes and maybe even Home Depot. Lowes and HL might be too big to start with.

  Herb if the movement is equipped with a pendulum I always show at least the bob which is the bottom part of the pendulum.

 

Or if you got some graff paper, draw your own. Once you get in to something like this its not that hard to draw a few from time to time.

The last three clocks are mostly the same carvings.

3 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

Gene 2 places are really cheaper than most.

 store.artwood.com

www.dlawlesshardware.com

 

Actually all you need is one applique. trace around it. Print that. Cut it out with sissors then flip it over color the edges a dark color and print that. Now you got a matching pair to use.

  Also Hobby Lobby and Michaels has some as well as Lowes and maybe even Home Depot. Lowes and HL might be too big to start with.

  Herb if the movement is equipped with a pendulum I always show at least the bob which is the bottom part of the pendulum.

 

Or if you got some graff paper, draw your own. Once you get in to something like this its not that hard to draw a few from time to time.

The last three clocks are mostly the same carvings.

OMG you got more , they are beautiful,Patch,I am in awe.
 

Herb

Edited March 31, 20179 yr by Dadio

Patch, Did you say there was a mistake here somewhere ? The only mistake I see here is the time of day as I look at it. The're all beautifully done.

Gene you might be joking but a band saw is out of the question for there needs to be no gap between the body and the carved pieces .

   

Al there was a mistake on the clock I finished two weeks ago.  While cutting the opening for the pendulum to swing freely I cut way too deep from the back side and cut a big slot through the front. Its on the mahogany looking thingy.. I don't get near as upset as I use to when I was depending on things to get done so I could pay the bills and put something on the table. Oh I still have that same problem . I just stay away from those places and pretend.  

Not kidding, Jesse. Don't have a scroll saw. But, it's ok. I'll not be adding them to edges. They'll be face glued on flat mirror frames.

Gene so sorry to hear you have not enlarged your knowledge into scroll sawing...

 

But hey, I get lots of my patterns off of https://www.pinterest.com

 

I use McAfee to keep my computer running and it stays green while I am on Pinterest.. It says as long as it is a good site I am on, it will tell me so. Any way we have no idea as to what the heck, good site or bad site, I go.  I say this cause lots of these carvers have foreign names and their names are in Russian language or something..

  So Pinterest has lots of wood working ideas, carvings to make my day go by faster for it take many hours to wade through their pages of goodies. Some of the people posting their pictures won't let me download but most will.

  You could use some of their stuff to have something to go by to redraw your ideas on to some of that large graff paper, Office Supply, or Office Max. 

 

I got in to scroll sawing right after WWII. I went in to Sears with my dad and we saw this scroll saw, called a jig saw then, the blade just viberated, no up and down movement, I could rest my finger on the moving blade and not draw blood,and I guess he was sizing me up for a Christmas present. Anyway that Christmas I got that thing he was showing me in Sears.. I was about 10 or 11  and probably still thought santa brought that saw?? 

 

 

I have many drawings like this filed away on my computer and most came from Pinterest.

  Too bad we didn't have computers when we were kids....

Okay John, tell me how two sets of pictures ended up on my post. I have been known to enter the same post twice but this is one set of words and 2 sets of pictures..????

Wow, Jesse. Thanks a lot for those and your source info.

I had a Delta 16" and enjoyed using it. Never got good enough to satisfy myself. 

My bandsaw and an 1/8" blade will probably do what I need for some of the less elaborate pieces. 

Thanks again.

I had to make a different pendulum on this clock.

  I realize a few might not go for this but hey I just can't understand why!!!!!!