carving in stairs

[laine]

Good Morning All

I am attempting to carve stairs into the side of a little fairy house - needless to say I now have a collection of pathetic looking stairs.
I have not had any luck finding anything on the internet to help, does anyone have any ideas or know of a web site that will help

thanks
laine

[Paul_Guraedy]

Here's what I do...

1. Carve in the angle of the stairs as a ramp. Use a stop cut and carve it as a kind of shelf/ramp.
2. Make a stop cut along the back of the ramp (next to the cliff, rock, etc.
3. I start at the top step. Usually, it is coming off a landing or ramp. Make a downward cut just off the end of the ramp. I do this to keep down the chipping out. I can slowly carve back to the edge of the ramp.
4. I then make a cut along the bottom (platform) of this step. But, my first cut is at a slight upward angle rather than straight in. The next cut is to flatten out the bottom of the step.
4. Make a down cut just off the edge of the top step and follow step 3. Keep going until you reach the bottom.
5. Some of the angles and such will need cleaning up for the finish work.

[big dave]

maybe a 45degree V tool would help, I have never done one , just a sugestion

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Paul gave a very good description, I think it is mostly just practice.

Dave

[laine]

thank-you Paul
I've attached a photo - I think this is what you mean, I hope it is

big Dave I've tried the V tool - that I made a real mess of things but like Dave said - lots of practice- and I'll keep to practicing

tell me what you think - the good,bad or ugly

thanks, Laine

[pallin]

The whimsical bark house allows for more creativity in forming the stairs. Ofter they are a relief style applied to an in-the-round figure. Paul gave you excellent ideas. Here is a blow-up of several stairs in the corner of a relief I did a few years ago. It is Escher's "Waterfall" - the complete piece is in the Carvers Image Gallery. Phil

9sairs.jpg

[Paul_Guraedy]

Laine, those look good to me. I like the fact that they curve and follow the admontion that Rick Jensen keeps giving, "....No straight lines,"

I think you have the hang of it!