Tools for Celtic Knot Designs?

hermit@heart · #1 06-05-2006, 05:13 PM

Real newbie here - so far I've managed my way through the little project that came with my FlexCut set and I'm fighting my way through the finishing steps on my second spoon handle.

I'd like to try some smallish Celtic knot carving but I'm not sure what tools I should get for the teeny spaces. I have a few Flexcut Palm Tools but the only small one is a #9 x 1/5mm u-gouge. The bend in it has gotten in my way in the tiny areas of a spoon handle I'm working on. (It's probably a little thicker handle than it needs to be. Scared to take off too much.)

Can someone suggest what tools I should get? Am I rushing things in wanting to do small projects so early in the learning curve?

I'm really grateful to have a place to come with questions, knowing how generous and kind everyone is to us baby carvers.

Thanks!!
marie

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #2 06-05-2006, 06:09 PM

Get in contact with Rick at www.littleshavers.com, he is also on here, he will not steer you wrong!

jillsy · #3 06-05-2006, 07:30 PM

Hi Marie,

I don't think you're rushing things so much, but have you tried working on a bigger project too? Sometimes it's nice to work on a different piece when you start getting frustrated, just to give yourself a break. And if the bigger piece is easier, you can get some satisfaction before going back to the smaller piece.

jillsy · #4 06-05-2006, 07:32 PM

Ugh, I just reread what I wrote. Hope that made sense. I feel like I just wrote something from out of a Marx Brothers movie! "The party of the first part should be known in this contract as the party of the second part."

Tom H · #5 06-05-2006, 07:55 PM

Marie, I jumped into smaller carving way before I knew what I was doing. Maybe I am weird, but I found it a bit easier. Give it a try and see if it works for you - it did for me. It's also much less expensive. Especially when you miss-carve a piece. Tom H

hermit@heart · #6 06-05-2006, 08:07 PM

Made perfect sense to me, Jillsy. (I worked for lawyers for a number of years!) The decorative spoon handle I'm working on is about 5 inches long and about 3/4" thick. Sanding in the scrolly places is what's hanging me up now. I sort of made a hash on some of the small areas by not using the right tool, I think.

There's so much to learn about woods and tools and technique. I hardly know where to start. (Am I whining?) I'm headed to a carver's rendezvous this weekend so I hope to make some progress.

squbrigg · #7 06-05-2006, 08:59 PM

For Celtic Knot work, I use small detail knives. Actually just finished making a couple more for myself, using Warren interchangable blades reshaped on a stone and set into handles and shaped to suit.

I rough out the shape on a scroll saw then shape using the knives, and finish shaping using files. Sanding takes the longest, but is necessary to get them smooth and even. I often cut up sandpaper into thin strips to get between the edges and use them like a buffing cloth on a pair of shoes. Works well.

Bob

squbrigg · #8 06-05-2006, 09:15 PM

Forgot to include these pics, thought they might help.

Bob

Gary M. Peiffer · #9 06-05-2006, 10:55 PM

Bob,

Thanks for posting the pictures. That is a pretty amazing set up you have. Is it designed to sit in your lap as you carve?

Gary

hermit@heart · #10 06-05-2006, 11:30 PM

Bob,
Thanks for the pics. They do help me see what would be helpful to me. As Gary said, that's quite a set up. I bet I wouldn't be leaving little chips of wood all over the couch and carpet if I used something like that!

Your Celtic knot work is a great reference. I also wanted to tell you that I really like your run-over Santa. In fact, your web pages are really fascinating. I'm happy that you share your work and your love of ships.

And thanks, too, to Hi Ho, Jillsy, and Tom for the help. And to everyone that makes this such a great forum.

marie