New guy's first challenge

[achaundy]

I just started working on one of my first carvings. This is a teapot clock that was featured in Woodcarving Illustrated Magazine #39. Barry Mckenzie was the carver. I think I can do this... and hopefully it won't get all messed up.The pot is eastern pine and the face is basswood, already had some problems with the pine.

[GeorgiaCarver]

Way to go! Jump in there and just go for it. You will love this project and I am sure it will turn out well.

Keep us posted.

Greg

[Thomp]

keep them tools as sharp as you can get them and 90% of your problems will be illiminated,
the other 10% of problems is keeping your hands out of the way, and learning controll

keep them chips small...
thomas

[Thor]

That looks like you already have woodworking skills, and are just adding carving to the mix. Please show more pictures as you progress.
Thor

[Just Carving]

I find that when carving pine, it is either "heaven" or "hell" to carve. Meaning that I'll take a practice swipe at the wood, and it will either carve easily, or it will rip and the cut in the wood will begin to splinter, rip, stray or as I say "Got to all hell!". So, once you know which way the wood cuts with the best results, stay with carving in that direction--or at least keep an eye on which way the wood carves the best since the grain can change--and then you will be in "heaven" when carving pine! And isn't the smell great? LOL Enjoy!

[Eddy-Smiles]

You're my hero for just trying. Don't get discouraged. I'm sure it's going to be an award winner when you're done!

[achaundy]

Thanks everone for the encourgement ! These things always look easy when someone else is doing it first.
After retirement I didn't think there would be anything left to get excited about, not true... carving is great !
Thor yes; I was a carpenter before I became a Heavy Construction Estimator.
Skip
"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows."

[kitaye]

It looks good so far. Your layout lines are so neat and from the picture look crisp. How did you do that?

Are you going to make the spoon pendulum too?

[achaundy]

Kitaye

I tried to make a pattern by making a copy with heavy paper,just didn't work out. I partially cut thru the lines with exacto knife and pencled in thru the cut lines. This ended up being too sloppy. So I just put everything in with a compass.
I wish I could do my cuts as easy as it is to draw the lines. Cutting circles is very tedious. Oh well I guess a little sanding will fix it. Only have to answer to myself ha.
Yes I plan on using the spoon pendolem.

Skip

"It is impossible for a man to learn something that he thinks he already knows"

[Eddy-Smiles]

Skip... That's your problem.... you were a bonified "guesstimater!" Too many WAG's! Now you have to be precise... Sorry !!! Couldn't help myself! Just trying to be cute! As I said before it looks great and by the time you get it completed, sanded and finished it's going to be a family heirloom!

P.S.... It takes one to know one!