[carver 27]

Hi what is this stone?
I want to carve a chimpmunk with fur.
so I just wondered what a stone was.
thanks,
David

[mark yundt]

David,,the stones that are talked about here are very small cylinders or cones(1/8th inch in diameter approx. and maybe 3/8 to 1/2 inch long) that are used in a Dremel or micro motor type tool. In this case,,since I wasn't really texturing a feather but forming ripples I used a diamond cutter. If your're not familiar with these,,they are also used in a high speed motor and are a variety of shapes for carving /sanding / texturing that actually have very fine particles of either diamond or ruby impregnated in them. The particular one I used was a flame tip..it looks like a tear drop.

The tool I used to put the barbs in was a burning pen.Now,,using a combination of the stones/diamond tips,,and the burner,,you could do a very realistic representation of a chipmunk.I have some photos of a rabbit done this way that you would actually think it was the real thing.Using these tools to imitate fur is a common practice.
If you're not familiar with these things let me/us know and I'm sure you'll get links to sites or post some shots of the tools used. Also ,,check out the pyography section,,the tools used for burning are virtually the same thing. Except for the cutters.

[cedarshavings]

Thanks for all the great tips and information. I've done all the carving and I believe I'm ready to do some burning. I think I am just at a point where I have to dive in and hope for the best. I'll try to post some pics and hopefull get some more advice.

[mark yundt]

Just remember that when you're pulling the lines have them in a gentle sweeping S shape. Look at my penciled in lines for a guide. They don't run a 45 degree line from the quill to the edge,,they curve.You'll find your best method,,but I'm right handed and seem to burn better from left to right. I can see the previous line better and place the next one close and use the first for a reference.

Other than that,,your're right,,just go for it.And don't forget to show us what you did.

[cedarshavings]

I heard this from an earlier post. Burnishing....What exactly is that?

[Hugh P.]

To me, burnishing means to take a tapered stone, run it at medium speed, smooth out rough areas of the stoning, or to create or smooth the rounding of a feather for instance, making a harder surface. Somtimes when carving you will go against the grain and rough up the surface of the wood. burnishing or running a round or tapered stone over this area will harden and smooth it. Also for me, when the stoning is finished, use a piece of 220 or finer sand paper, and clean up any rough or sharp edges left by the stoning process. Attention to this detail will have rewards in the finished feathering.

[falconer]

You can also burnish with a burning pen. Use a skew tip and lay it on it's side pulling towards you along the edge of the feather. This creates a very clean feather edge. Low heat. I'm not sure about basswood but tupelo actually shrinks a bit when this is done. Thats why I use this tecnique when putting in feather shafts.




www.sierracreekstudios.com

[cedarshavings]

Thanks,,,That's along the lines I was thinking but I needed it cleared up a little. That did it.