[bird carver]

I just purchased a set of Ceramic Texturing sticks, each one is rated by a finish. The rating is 300 grit, 800 grit , and 1200 grit. I tried these ceramic rods out on a piece of wood (Basswood) and I can't tell the difference between any of them. Do I need to dress them first?, because the finish on them seems to be the same when you feel them. I bought these to help me out on my detailing on my bird feathers. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.


Bird carver
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[gwc]

Hi bird carver.
I also carve birds and I have only bought the blue ceramic texturing stick to see how it preformed.I cut it in half with a small diamond disc then I reshaped it with the same diamond disc to the shape of an inverted cone. This gives 4 different shapes to work with. I am not sure if that was the correct thing to do but it worked for me. I am looking forward to see other responses to your thread.
Gordo.

[bird carver]

Gordo, thanks for the response, I contacted MDI wood carver's whom I purchased the sticks from. They told me that you can only shape a flat surface ( 90 degree's ) on the bottom because I had problems of the stick burning up when I put a tip on it. He said the stick was not made to have any points on the end, it is made to have a flat surface on the bottom to allow the carver to make fine lines used for the look of soft feather's in the chest area. I followed his suggestion on this and it works good. These sticks I noticed aren't hard at all. I can dress them with anything even sandpaper. Also it doesn't matter what color ( grit ) you buy as you get the same results. Thanks again Bird carver</IMG>

[Paul_Guraedy]

I have several of the texturing sticks and still use them occasionally. First I sharpen them to a point and then flatten the point a little to give me a sharp edge for feathers.

I have found that I like the small white cone burrs even better. Partially, it may be the technique. I hold the texturing sticks more like a pencil. For the white stones, I hold my thumb against the carving with the tool in the fingers of my hand. I curl my fingers to draw the stone across the wood. Works faster and easier for me.

[bird carver]

Paul, it looks like we use these tools the same, and I prefer the white stones also. I guess I need more time with the texturing sticks to appreciate them more. Thanks for your comment Paul, Keep the chips flying. Bird carver

[Donna_T]

I, too, use them for detailing the soft feathers on a bird. I either dress them on a diamond sharpener or a carborendum (I'm sure that's not how it's spelled) stone. I don't sharpen mine to a point--just dress them regularly to keep a flat, sharp-edged tip which allows for a cleaner line on your carving. I don't know that I would rank them any higher than the usual white or blue stones as far as what you can do with them--just another tool to use to get the result you want.

Donna T

[xsailer]

Interesting comments of a subject I'm not familar with, Texturing stones. Where would I find information of what you're talking about. I'm thinking I could apply to other items for details other than birds.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I got my texturing sticks so long ago that I don't remember where they came from. They come in at least two colors (grits) and are about 1/8 inch thick by an inch or so long.

These or the small white stones (cone or cylinder) are used to make "soft" feathers for birds. I also use them for hair and fur. White and blue stones are available from the online suppliers.

Either one has to be dressed occasionally on a sharpening stone. I mentioned how I work the "stick". For the white stones, I dress the sides and then push the end straight in against the stone to make sure the end is flat.

To use them, I come in at an angle allowing only the "sharp" edge of the device to contact the wood. This makes a much softer line than I get with a gouge.

I use the "stick" by holding the micromotor as I would a pencil. This gets pretty tiring and goes fairly slowly. With the "white (or blue) stone"...

I hold my hand out and place the micromotor across my fingers with the burr pointing toward the thumb. This allows me to put my thumb against the carving and by curling my fingers, I can make a line on the wood. Since I want these lines to blend (soft feathers) I can work pretty quickly. Like most carving techniques it takes a little practice to get comfortable with.

[Rob Wilson]

I just purchased some texturing sticks and am in the process of learning to use them correctly. I'm used to stones, and it will take some time to learn to use the sticks properly. In our carving group we have a few who use them extremely well, so I can learn from them.

[jaguar1712]

the difference is subtle, but if you push down hard with each, youll probably notice that the lower grit cuts faster.