[Grimnir]

This is another little thing I've been working on, and one I wanted to ask a question on. Namely, how do you sand something like this without ruining it? There's a lot of fuzzies and areas where it could do wih it but I daren't get the dremel out and I just don't get how to do that level of detail without sanding half the design flat!



Oh, it's a copy of a Viking era strap end from Jorvik (York) and is 4" long by an inch at the widest. It's from a piece of found wood I split and made this section by batoning it and whittling it flat

[doris]

i would not sand it. the carving is beautiful, in my opinion sanding would take away of its wonderful character... instead, i would take a good time shaprening my chisel (or knife if you carve with knife) and sharpen it more than i ever had... a truely sharp tool does not leave any fuzzies. and, when its sharp, simply cut away the fuzzies... its worth the effort...

[markken5889]

Hey Grim,

Interesting and beautiful piece. I've got to agree with Doris - don't sand it!

Mark

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

you can get those foam center fingernail file boards at walmart and cut them with scissors to any shape you want,,,they work good.

[mdallensr]

We use a natural bristle wheel on a Dremel to get rid of the fuzzies. It won't touch the detail but makes quick work of the fuzzies. If you want to be a little more agressive, you can get a bristle wheel with abrasive on the bristles, and that will do a better job yet. Still, the best way to avoid fuzzies is to use sharp tools and complete all of your cuts. If you can't blow away that chip, keep carving until it falls off. Mike

[Ron T]

Hi Grim,

I use the 3M rotary bristle wheels. The finer grit doesn't remove the detail but you have to be careful and use a light touch. It removes fuzz nicely but can remove stock if you're too aggressive and press to hard.

I got them at Santa Fe Jewery Supply.

[Thor]

I like the design very much.
One of my favorite subjects to carve.
What are you going to use it for?
Thor

[Grimnir]

I'd like to make it into a belt, I did that with a bone strap end I made. It was on over 40" od doubleface tablet weave. Just about drove me crazy lol, and took over 3 months to complete!

This time I'm thinking leather...

[Keoma]

This is beautiful! What a great design! You have really great ideas! I also agree, no sanding. It looks very rustic and just great.
You know, speaking of sand. I tried something once, you make like the results. I put a bunch of sand, found at my creek, into a shoe box. I placed my piece in it and burried it. Keeping the whole piece burried, I worked the sand everywhichway with my hands. it was great on my manicure too But it also gave it a natural sanded look. Give it a try, you wont hurt it. Great stuff, just great.

[Grimnir]

Thanks Keoma do they have a blush icon on here?

www.myspace.com/themakerofbeautifulthings

That says it all for me - your stuff is fantastic! That you like mine so much means a lot

Just thought, you saying about sand reminded me - how about steel wool? I have some fairly fine steel wool I bought to polish up a drinking horn - sandpaper of any sort just can't adjust to the curves.