Fuzzy Relief Carving

[Whitie]

I just started a Celtic Cross Relief and my problem is getting in tight spots without getting a lot of fuzzy wood. Some spots are so small I can't even
get in there with sandpaper.Is there any special tool for this or something eles I could try>

[Sharon of the Dell]

If you have a dremel or something similar, you could use a diamond bit to smooth them out.

[Claude]

I've found that these can sometimes smooth out a difficult to reach spot...

Claude
Buy Smooth Cut Riffler File Set, Smooth Cut Riffler File Set, Rifflers -

[Dan S]

Claude is right, the diamond riflers do work well.
Dan

[doris]

all suggestions made are only workarounds, they not remove the source of the problem...it is better to remove the source of your problem, and source of fuzzies is that the tools are not sharpened properly. use a day or two and learn more sharpening, then come back to your carving, and cut very thin slivers of wood gain where those fuzzies are. you will see, when your tools are sharp, those fuzzies will disappear...all other is just timecconsuming workaround

[Paul_Guraedy]

The only problem I have had with "fuzzies" is when I am carving with power. I use diamond/ruby bits to move things along and then one of the Foredom "blues" and a gentle touch to smooth them out.

If I am carving with handtools, as I usually do for most of each relief carving, I use a hooked skew to get into the tight places. Also have used it to clean up after a power bit.

[Dan C]

mnmchenry,

I posted a similar question in the Relief and Chip Carving Forum back on 9-22-06. The thread was called "Deep relief - how to get into tight places?" Take a look. There were lots of good ideas offered. I ended up getting some dogleg chisels which worked great for me. I think the spaces you are dealing with are too small for dogleg chisels though. Irish offered a hint that might be helpful to you. She described how she holds a small chisel with the cutting edge at a right angle to the surface and scrapes the surface smooth. That might work for you with a small dockyard chisel. Good luck, and let us know what you find worked for you!

Dan C.

[Dan C]

mnmchenry,

I actually copied my first reply from another post where I referenced the 9-22-06 post. You might find that post helpful as well. (hope that's clear) The thread was started by Knotnut and its reference is: Relief and Chip Carving/"question on smoothing out negative space" and is dated 11-06-2007.

Dan C.

[Donna_T]

I agree that sharp tools are the best resort, however, the skew or dogleg tools do help getting into the little nooks and crannies. I like using a little flame or cylinder shaped diamond bits in my little mini-mite Dremmel (the battery one) to help with clean up.

Then, there are some little cone shaped, white spiral sanding tips (we call them Guge sanding tips cause Bob Guge invented them for use in his bird carvings). You can use them by hand or with power. They come in different sizes and different grits, but being pointed, they can get down in corners and even follow the outline of your relief design.

The other power bits I like to use for clean up are the 3M sanding wheels/disks. I usually keep 3-4 of them stacked on a mandrel and ready to pop in my mini-mite to help with cleaning up fuzzies. I know, if I were a better carver with sharper tools, I wouldn't have so many fuzzies, but, at least I can cope with them.

Donna T

[Whitie]

Thanks every one for the good advise on
fuzzy.It's good to know people in woodcarving are willing to share there knowledge and help out