carving table?

[nashwaaker]

In the latest edition of WCI, spring 2010....they have a tilting carving table feature on page 58. Does anyone know how I could get a more detail plan for making this?

[BobD]

What sort of plan are you looking for? Unfortunately, the article was intended for a more advanced woodworker. If you have specific questions, I may be able to help, and if not, I'll get in touch with the author to try to get your questions answered.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[nashwaaker]

I gave a friend of mine who has a large workshop the drawing from the magizine and he is going to try and produce it for me.....he does fine cabinet work so he should be able to pull it off. Working with a bench mate just isn't cutting it....and as i always say...if your going to be a bear, you might as well be a grizzley...might as well have a good carving table.

[robertf1]

I am also interested in making this carving bench and have run up against the same problem in the lack of dimension details in the article. If you get any more information, please copy me. Thanks. Bob

[BobD]

The dimensions are listed in the Materials list on page 61.

[robertf1]

Question to BobD-
The dimension question I had pertained to the pieces into which tenons are to be cut. On those pieces, do the cut list dimensions in the article pertain to the total length (to the tips of the tenons) or just the lengths to the shoulders of the tenons? Also, instead of making a hardwood top, would it be acceptable to laminate two pieces of 3/4" birch plywood instead. This plywood, which I can purchase from Lowes, does not appear to have any voids to speak of. What do you think? Bob

[BobD]

The lengths are to the ends of the pieces, not to the shoulders on the tendons.

A top made from two thicknesses of plywood should work. I'd orient the grain of the top layers of the plywood at right angles to each other.
I would also probably add hardwood "breadboards" to the sides to make sure the plywood stays flat.

Bob

[flyfisherman_53]

Being new to this I just picked up a inexspensive set of carving tools at local harbor freight. Can anyone steer me in right direction as to an all around set of tools that I could use in numerouis types of carving, (relief,and etc.). I have looked at flex brand on line, then theres been others that look nice but they also look cheap looking like they wouldnt last long. So guess what Iam trying to say I want a good brand and something that will hold up a good quality tool that wont break the bank, if know what I mean, dont get me wrong I like to have good quality tools but then being I only work part-time I need to watch my funds closer. also is it rule of thumb that new tools need to be honed or sharpened before use first time? Also I have seen several power carving units are these good to use or are they just for indiviguals that may have arthritis and cant hold tools long while carving? thanks Bob

[flyfisherman_53]

I have a butcher block table I work off of its 40inches wide by 60 inches long I made up a carving I call it a box that I use to put my flatstock in for relief carving and clamp it stationary inside the box and also is made to tilt as needed.