kaleidoscope carving

santagibbs · #1 08-07-2006, 06:39 PM

I just ordered a book called " Carving Figural Kaleidoscopes." Has anyone made one ? Are they complicated to put together? I would appreciate your input into this area of carving..Thanks Charlotte

Just Carving · #2 08-07-2006, 07:57 PM

Charlotte,

I've never done a kaleidoscope myself. But here are a few links that may help you.

The first two are for threads on kaleidoscope--Woody01 might be a big help to you. He's done a few. Maybe a PM might get the answer you're looking for.

Christmas 05 Presents

Kaleidoscopes

This is a link to the website of the author of the book you ordered:

http://www.sbrownwoodcarving.com/

I guess you can e-mail him if you need help. Have fun!

santagibbs · #3 08-07-2006, 08:52 PM

Gee, thanks Bob for all the information and addresses.. I will start right now to inquire.. Thanks a lot ...Charlotte

woody01 · #4 08-07-2006, 10:58 PM

Charlotte,
I suggest Working with a Steve Brown kaleidoscope kit. Once you understand the process and what is required you can experiment and play games with the different systems.
You can get more information at the Kaleidoscope society
WWW.brewstersociety.com

Good luck
Woody01

santagibbs · #5 08-08-2006, 11:07 AM

Thank's Woody, I just love the Santas that you made into kleidoscopes... I am afraid that I might not have the wisdom to know how to put it together but I ordered his book yesterday in hopes that I would be able to and then if I can understand, then I will order his kit... Thanks for the information... I have always loved your Santas... Charlotte

Thor · #6 08-08-2006, 03:21 PM

I will look forward to seeing your results. They would sure make unusual and treasured gifts. I have made several kaleidoscopes from kits in the past, through a stained glass supplier, but they were simple little swirling brass tubes with a marble at one end and 3 mirrors slid into it. Very simple construction with pretty good results for a small project. Carving one would be so much cooler.

Woody, yours turned out so well! I'm sure your children are proud to have those.

Please post more information when you get your book as to what you will be doing....
Thor

santagibbs · #7 08-09-2006, 12:31 AM

Thor, you give me courage by saying it can be done...I am excited about getting the book.. I hope it will be here soon.. I found it at Shiffer Books.. In the heart of the Amish Country.. Lancaster, Pa. I am always bitting off more than I can chew. but it sounded like a great gift.. carving and kaleidoscope... Thanks for letting me know it can be done.. even for the elderly????? we will see.. Charlotte

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #8 08-09-2006, 08:03 AM

Biting off more than we can chew..is the only kind of project that in the end really gives us a sense of satisfaction! The easy ones are welll.......easy! lol

santagibbs · #9 08-09-2006, 12:11 PM

It seems that is the truth Dave... A challange is what some of us need. That is what gives us a sense of accomplishment..Let's just hope I can do it..lol Something unnique ..

Donna_T · #10 08-11-2006, 11:35 PM

Hi Charlotte,
I'm so glad you're tackling this project. I've taken one of Steve's classes, bought his book, finished one kaleidoscope, have two nearly finished, and another one started (the works are finished--the outside is rough.) His step-by-step directions are pretty clear. Just read it through first and make sure you do the prep work first.

I'd recommend carving most or all of the outside before starting on the inside. Using a dowel rod that's barely smaller than the inside channel and wrapping it in medium sandpaper or emery cloth, sand well. Blow it out and sand again with even finer sandpaper. Then go even finer. Blow out again. Here's the secret--plugging the top hole with your thumb, pour liquid sealer into the hole and really roll it around to coat the inside well--then pour it back out--making sure you don't get any of the sealer on your carving (by plugging the top and pouring in and out of the bottom, it helps avoid that boo-boo.) Let it dry well. This step is so important to keep stray wood splinters from contaminating your mirror works when you get them put together. While the sealer is still sticky, you can use that same dowel to kinda roll the inside to flatten those splinters back down into the sealer.

Then it's just a matter of getting the lens in place, then taping the mirrors and getting them in place, then packing foam strips all around the mirrors to hold them snuggly in place. THen sealing the bottom lens in place, adding either the marble works or colored chips, then the final lens.

I'd recommend even buying one of Steve's kits for your first one--he's got the silver extra sticky tape to put the mirrors together--and the foam strips used to pack around the mirrors--all of which you can come up with on your own, but much easier the first time with his kit.

Did any of that make sense? It's been almost a year since I worked on the last one--need to get back to it and finish it for Christmas...

Donna T