[JimSawyer]

Ok, I didn't notice the clamp there on the left. That makes sense. I'm always learning on this site.

[Ron T]

Hi Doris,

Another great start to a wonderfully different subject. Looking forward to the progress.

It looks like the carving in wedged into place by the thin piece at the top between the carving and box end.

[doris]

ah, keoma, i did not knew that. i knew oak is used in churches, but not knew about yew. so, this makes me want use it as it was used earlier, and i doubt it would be bleached... ah, thank you so much for this information :-) ...

jim, mark, and ron...yes you have right idea. i show more pics you can see better how it works. please ignore the mess that has already built up (glad it is still early in the carving ... lol...)
the idea is that the carving can be easily rotated, by loosen the big clamp a little. the sandpaper gives additional rubbing, so when the clamp is tightend the carving is really fixed. i carved so far with mallet, and the carving not moves, ... the screws are in the wood, and provide an axle on which the rotation is... so, when i want carve or look backside, i loosen the clamp, rotate the carving, or even take it out and look, then rotate it into the position i want, and fix the clamp again. very easy, very quickly ... ah, the extra wedge is not in carvendives original design, it was needed since i was unable to make a straight sawcut, so i carved the wedge to compensate for that ...lol...so, better you look here

Tips and Tricks

where carvendive explains how this jig should be built perfectly. mine is crooky...

[arapsang]

Congratulations on your new piece and apologies for seeming to steal your idea. I hope you like yew as a carving wood. It is a wood close to my heart coming as I do from Mayo, the plain of the Yew, in Ireland. It is hard, tough and polishes beautifully but watch out for a hard white substance that sometimes forms in thin cracks in the wood as it grows. People tell me that if it is sanded to hard the friction generated can cause minute cracks in the surface. Oh and one last thing never try to bleach it's glorious colour.

All the best

Peter

[Keoma]

HI PETER!!!! I love my beautiful Yew...lol...from you!
Doris the yew is also so close to my heart and I am sure the Druids would be so proud of you
Thank you for the close up pictures of your jig and the links. This is something I need to look into.
Where did you get your piece of Yew?

[Mottles]

Hi, Doris, looks like your vision is forming what will be a terrific 'griffin.' The color of the yew wood is really nice. Yes, I'm sure I'll enjoy following along with your project.
Kathy

[doris]

1000´th post ... jingle ... jingle... hurray... lol .... sorry just had to do that ;-)

peter, i just love carving jew. it is wonderful to carve, i dont mind it being hard, and i will not sand it, so no problems there to expect ...i dont understand your comment with stealing idea ?? did i miss something ???...

keoma, yes yew is great ! i love it already... i got it from a friend who had to put down the tree in his garden, and he asked me if i would like have some of the wood ... yes :-) ...

kathy, yes i hope to make him terrific, and i believe the wood color will be great :-)

unfortunuatey, i waited not long enough with the drying , today i found a crack which had come overnight :-( ... but still is not too bad, and i carve on, and i have lots more which i now know wants dry more... how long should yew dry when the logs are about 2-3'' diameter ? (boy, i shoud have asked this earlier.....)

[arapsang]

the rule of thumb is allow a year of drying for each inch of thickness. But rememger that rules are for the guidance of the wise and the obedience of fools. As for stealing your idea -- I was referring to the griffon which I have also started,

Peter

[Keoma]

Hi Doris!
Your Griffin is still in clamps right? I think if he is not completely dry that the constant pressure might make him crack more.
I am not near the talneted carver you are, but I do make a lot of treenware. With that I rough out and let sit. That way I can work around and remove any cracks when it is totally dry. How are you at letting him sit for awhile? That is the hardest thing for me because I want to finish finish finish! I am not only learning to carve...I am learning patience.

[doris]

oh keoma, that makes so much sense ! the pressure of the clamping adds stress ! i immediately ran and took the wood out of the clamping....it has got another fine haircrack over night :-(.... despite that is so difficult, i will try follow your advise, and let the wood now rest. it feels very warm and dry to the touch, even in the parts where i have already carved deeply. when i got the wood, it feeled wet and cold, so i think it cannot be that much moisture in it anymore ....but, i believe your advise is good, so i follow it, thank you keoma :-) ...so, this thread now goes to sleep for that the wood can dry more...