[mark yundt]

About a week ago I made a base for a candlestick for a local Church. It was basically just turning so I didn't post it.Well turns out that same Church has an Altar server with slippery fingers and dropped the Processional Cross.

I had restored this same Cross a few years ago ( it was dropped then too) and kept it looking like it was 100 yrs old ,,as it really is.But this time the body didn't fare so well,but my cross held together! I believe it was Hi Ho that was just asking about a cross about this size,,well here you go! Must be something in the air,'cause this just showed up on my doorstep this morning.

So it's not a wizz bang new carving but an example of some of the work that passes through my door.Fun,,interesting,,challenging and adds something to my bag of tricks.Nothing major,,but it'll solve someones problem and keep me busy. Yeah,,like I needed this too! Ha. But I can't say no.
Oh ,,and the candle stick,,he loved what I did on the first one so much he wants me to do all the others as well..and also Mark,,while your're here can you do this ,,and that,,and we really need a new.....and we need the cross back by the 10th by the way,,,,,

[Ashbys]

I bet they almost cried when that was dropped and broken.

But I can't think of a better person to repair it.

Garry

[gene messer]

When it leaves the artist hands .. you never know what will happen next ..

But isnt it great that the artist never looses his ability to give it life again and restore it to it's originality ...

Thats the difference between the artist and those he serves ..

The ability to give life again ..

Gene

[Eddy Smiles]

Sounds like you're on a mission for God! Only someone with your talents could handle a job like this.

[mark yundt]

Yeah how about it Eddy! My studio looks like a religious goods shop right now,,with this,the painting ,tryptich and the Shroud model..,,I had just better watch my language 'round here,a bolt of lightning might just strike!
May even knock some sense into me.

[Joy]

I feel sorry for the altar boy.....imagine how he must have felt seeing the statue laying there in pieces. Hurry and fix it so he can feel better, Mark

[mark yundt]

O.K. Joy,,you can feel better now,,I fixed it this morning. Carved new hands,,fixed the crown,,got the arms back on,,and cut in the paint to match.The carvings match the original,,as well as the finish.

[BRIAN D]

Mark
Beautiful job! I can see the cross is oak,any idea what wood the Christ figure is? Would you tell us how you did the finger ends & get them to hold with strength. I assume putting the arms on just wood glue. Thanks! Brian D

[mark yundt]

I'm pretty sure the body is bass. What I did was cut the fingers and thumb off right at the base where they join the palm area.This gave me a larger glue area and a point where a joint would be less visible,,there is already a crease there. Then just glued a small block on and carved them in place. The crown,,I just flattened out the area that was broken,,added a piece and carved that as well.

In cases like this I don't use regular wood glue. The surfaces are so small and thin (just over 1/16) that epoxy works much better. My all time favorite is Devcon 5 min. epoxy,,I can't live without this stuff! I could tell you stories on how great it is,,trust me,,it's that good.I get it in 9 oz. bottles and it can do anything. Small tubes are also available,,I just use it so much so I get the big bottles. This is also what I used to apply the arms. There were a few hairlines in the wood that I filled with a squirt of regular Titebond,,followed with a quick sanding while still wet and that took care of those.Mix a bit of paint to match,,,a really odd combination of black,grey,yellow oxide,,gold oxide,and a touch of alazarine red..sounds odd but it worked. I only use Josonja brand paints. Finished it all off with a mist of matte ( krylon) and called it done.Start to finish 2 1/2 hrs.Little jobs like this are quick,,fun,,and profitable,,,,plus you look like a hero salvaging their broken relic.

Speaking of odd jobs like this,,you should see the mess I was once given that the Devcon really saved the day for me,,,,,twice no less.

[Merle Rice]

Mark, That is simply Amazing. Interesting story thanks for sharing. Merle