Getting Clean Cuts

[SlowMover]

I need some advice/tips from the members of the forum on how to get clean, crisp cuts in my carving. I look at the cuts before finishing, and they appear clean and crisp, but after I apply BLO, then thinned acrylic paint after the BlO dries, a lot of the cuts develops "fuzzies". The fuzzies are rough and irregular, and don't take the acrilyc wash as well as the uncut portion of the wood adjacent to the cut. This is frustrating me, I have tried the following:

I am reassonably sure my knives are sharp enough, they slice easily and the cuts look to my eye to be clean prior to finishing. I get the same effect when using a new #11 scalpel blade as I do with my knives.

I have made it a conscious effort to try and always cut with a slicing motion (one uniform cut) to prevent "chatter".

I have tried sanding the cuts with 200 and 300 grit paper, again they seem smooth prior to finishing.

I tried cleaning up/smoothing with 000 steel wool, same problem after applying finish.

I know it is possible to prevent this effect, I see it evey time I look at a pic of an exerienced carvers work, but for the life of me I can't seem to prevent it no mater what I do.

Any suggestions? thanks for your help and advice

[gwc]

When I paint my birds with acrylic I seal them first with a mixture of Lacquire [ Deft] & lacquire thinners 50/50 this will prevent wood swelling & fussing when you apply the water based paint. A couple of coats should do. After sealing your carving it won,t stain.You need lost of ventalation for this process.
Gordo.

[Mitchell]

Do a search and use the following "prevent fuzzies". Here's one that might not show in that search: clean cuts = curved edge

You will get a few threads that talk about what you are experiencing.

A picture from you to see exactly what you have would help.

Good stop cuts will help. Sand paper, steel wool will not.

[morganwoodcarver]

If you are going to finish the piece in acrylics, try dipping the piece in water before you paint instead of the linseed oil. I have noticed that the linseed oil tends to bring out the fuzzies. I will wet the piece and let it dry alittle if I dont want the paints too thin, since painting this way I have not noticed any fuzzies on my carvings. Then after it has been painted and dried I will use a mixture of mineral spirits and linseed oil to seal the carving...Just my two cents worth.

[cgm]

Sanding, could be the reason you are getting fuzzies.
Carl

[pallin]

One critical element is missing from your question - the wood. We are assuming it is basswood because this is a frequent complaint about basswood. If so, I would question the source of your wood. Some is softer, stringier, and more prone to fuzzies. Try something completely different, like poplar or cedar. Perhaps it is not your technique.

[SlowMover]

Thanks for the tips thus far. I am carving in basswood, I get it from Stadtlander Woodcarving, seems to be first class quality, is definatly better than what my carving club sells. Will work on the info given so far and see what happens, am starting a new carving tomorrow and will practice on it.

thanks for all the help

[scooter]

These could all be factors to the problem you're experiencing, however I'm still thinking it's the sharpness of your knives. You say you're 'reasonably sure' they're sharp. If there's doubt, then sharpen. Your cuts should yield a clean, shiny, burnished facet; they shouldn't 'appear' to be clean.

"There's sharp, and then there's varying degrees of dullness." - Rick Ferry, paraphrased.

My $0.02.

S~

[Dan S]

To throw in my .02, I agree that shaprness is probably the problem. Woodcarving requires a whole new standard for sharp than what the rest of the world thinks is adequate. My other suggestions are to watch the tip of your knife. If you don't, it may slice into areas that you wanted to keep and will leave a ragged edge. Also, When doing stop cutes I leave a bit of extra wood until the end so that I can leave a nice clean cut. Lasly be sure that you are cutting across the grain. If you split the grain you will always have fuzzies.

Hope that helped,
Dan

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I use the 3M discs on my carving when it is complete and before I paint. I still find a fuzzie or two after painting, I just cut it off and do a paint touch up.

Dave