I am about through with the first one and before I start on the next one, what's the verdict. What needs to be changed.

There's many first times on this project so where did I go wrong besides not following the picture. It took lots of thinking on the rose and for the first one it did surprise me. At about 50 foot away with one eye open it does resemble something.

Edited April 20, 20206 yr by Smallpatch

next step a few minutes ago

Looks good!!!

Looks beautiful!

More done this afternoon

 I think I will tone down the green leaves tomorrow. Air brush and my finger got a work out today.

  Cal about half was water base and the other half was lacquer base stain.  I went from one to the other every time I changed colors just to see if cleaning the air brush gave my any trouble and no it didn't and I used very little  thinner to clean it every time. 

Edited April 21, 20206 yr by Smallpatch

You do amazing work. Absolutely beautiful !

That is top notch. 

That's incredible Jess!  A real work of art

It is beautiful. I don’t know why Cal thinks I did it?  

Artie why don't you just tell him you stopped by my place and I made you help me before I would give you back your car keys so you could continue going around the hot spots trying to get to your grocery store...and I HERD you comment on how cheaply the gas had gotten the closer to the oil fields you came..

I did see where crude oil had gotten down to .01 a drum and less since the virus came to town!?

 

 

Jess, if I was within an 8 hour trip to your place, I would happily make the trip, sweep the floors, clean the countertops, just to get a glimpse of the magic at work. An independent thinker, with an artistes vision.

Artie I have this other flower thingy sitting here all the scroll sawing has been done.. All it needs is the pattern to be removed then its ready for someone to start carving it...I would be glad to send it to you. Compliments from a Texan..freight paid. You mentioned once you would like to do some carving. What's your address?  

Jess the main reason I don’t want to say no to this is it would be an honor to have one of your works. First of many questions I have is what do I need to have to do some carving? I do have a Dremel rotary tool. I would not be against some low range tool acquisitions for this. Also if this is going to happen, I insist on paying any shipping expenses.

10 hours ago, Artie said:

Jess the main reason I don’t want to say no to this is it would be an honor to have one of your works. First of many questions I have is what do I need to have to do some carving? I do have a Dremel rotary tool. I would not be against some low range tool acquisitions for this. Also if this is going to happen, I insist on paying any shipping expenses.

Thanks for asking Jesse this question. His recommendations would be invaluable. 

Gene, the same goes for you too....and for anyone else that thinks they want to learn something different.

  Lots of reasons I started this type of carving was the expenses would go way down...I have enough of ruff maple to last as long as I do and it is what I like to carve on with the grinders...The ash wood I prefer on anything not being carved..

 Artie you almost have to have the flexible shaft for just the dremel by itself is too bulky and hard to handle. Even the course bits is a bugger sometimes to hold steady.

  I used 7 bits on the rose thingy and I will put the numbers of them if you guys are serious. A band saw will save lots of labor time... I just looked up the 8 bits from Wood Carvers Supply and they are 113 plus the freight.

 Some pieces I cut down with the band saw. Other pieces I cut down a portion of the piece. I realized the more ups and downs would look better than something flat when finished carving. And other times I glued on pieces for more heights to get dramatic. Some of the highlights I just sand off the color on the tops and other times I use my finger to add a different colored powder  long the top edges.

 I coated all these with lacquer some with gloss some with semi gloss and some with satin. When the time comes I can't buy lacquer anymore I will switch to tung oil for my top coats and nothing else. Only problem with tung oil , two coats will take about a month before I can get it in the house...Even with the time situation I still prefer it over anything else....

 I turned them over to show how close I got to the edges and if done right ,no worry about splitting the wood with the screws..Then and only them after all the outside edges is cut out and screws installed then the backer board can be removed and then start cutting the picture in to smaller pieces.. And If you choose the right places to saw out something chances are the cuts won't show too much. 

I cut this one in to 6 pieces.

 

Artie the rose thingy is ready with the screws in the back so after it gets carved and a person could leave it raw wood or what ever..

 A close up so one can see the sand marks, not good.... To be a professional one needs to do things perfect. I'm still learning. 

  I will post this much now so I don't loose it all for I already lost the first half and had to start over.. Hitting the wrong button at the wrong time is my middle name...

Thanks, Jesse! Those bit numbers would really be appreciated. 

Anyone that doesn't have a dremel here is a good substitute and it comes with the flexshaft  @Smallpatch is reffering to.  Had mine about 3 years and use for engraving for parts ID and such.  Works great.  The bits that come with it, so so.  But you can afford the extra bits with the money you save on this unit.

 

WEN Rotary Tool

 

I have about the same Wen kit. I keep three grinders hanging all the time. It makes it easier when I"m grinding so I don't have to stop and change bits..You called the bits so so and I say that's a nice way to say it without riling Wen or someone who might actually use the bits...but neither Wen or Dremel bits are worth the time it takes to put one in a grinder and lock it down and carve. My Wen lasted about 6 months and then it would only buzz when you turned the switch on... you had to get ready and spin the chuck to get it going when you flipped the switch on... .I did this about a month. We called a few times and all they wanted to do was explain how you changed brushes after you bought a set... we did get tired of calling so we finally sent it in and they did sent a new one back...Different number and mine is orange but the same exact amps  1.24 amps after I finally got my notes I just made..the DDremel I use, the 3000 only has 1.4 Amps so about the same power but either one has enough power with good bits. I do know Dremel does last much longer. The Wen set I bought was 31.39 about 1 1/2 years ago or something like that so this would be worth having a couple for back up. If you have a Amazon Prime card by Visa all freight is paid and on this purchase of 18.95 or what ever the price is they say freight is paid if you buy 25.00 at a time. So if you only want one at 18.95 then get yourself an  Amazon Prime card where freight is paid on anything you order!

13 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

I do know Dremel does last much longer.

Of this I am sure.   And as much as you use yours it is the better choice.  I have 2, one that hangs in a holder with the flex shaft in a holster for easy access.  Put a good bit in it for engraving.  The other I have for anything else I might do.  Gave the older one these replaced to my son who uses it for building model planes.  That one is 20 years old, still works good.

Gene here are the Prices and numbers.. Get a hold of Wood Carvers Supply, Inc and have them send a catalog. 1-800-284-6229 Tell them I sent you?? For each order I am responsible for I get a new Chevy Corvette. You too Artie and all the rest of you all...

Edited April 22, 20206 yr by Smallpatch