Well I finished the oak barn beam..

knothole · #1 02-09-2008, 02:52 PM

Seems like it took forever to complete this project but it is complete other than applying another coat of tung oil. It is a little darker than I wanted but I think it turned out pretty good. It is supposed to be James Longstreet and it kind of looks like him. Any comments or suggestions on what I should or should`nt have done would be appreciated and thanks for looking...Bruce

Tom H · #2 02-09-2008, 03:16 PM

Bruce, Did not know that oak could look so soft. The carving is really very good. I don't know if you intended it, but your carving style and the finish gave the subject a very soft look. I like it. I like it a lot. Now, could you share your carving techniques a wee bit. What I mean is types of tools, sanding or not, that kind of stuff. I would imagine that the old beam was quite hard..

Tom H

North Wind · #3 02-09-2008, 03:21 PM

Looks good to me but I don`t think you should use any more of those beams. I think you should send all that beam wood here so I can get rid of it for you. Looks like a good likeness of him. Vince

knothole · #4 02-09-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom H

Bruce, Did not know that oak could look so soft. The carving is really very good. I don't know if you intended it, but your carving style and the finish gave the subject a very soft look. I like it. I like it a lot. Now, could you share your carving techniques a wee bit. What I mean is types of tools, sanding or not, that kind of stuff. I would imagine that the old beam was quite hard..

Tom H

Thanks Tom, This is the first piece of oak that I have attempted to carve so carving it was all new to me. I used a combination of chisels and detail knives to carve the piece I did not use any electric tools. I did do some sanding, when I carve my beards and Hair. I like to just slightly go over it with 220 I also sanded the face with 150 and 220 then used a scotch bright pad to finish. Iwas`nt sure what finish to use so I asked a member of my club and he recomended tung oil. And yes it was a tough piece especially on the right side looking at the piece as that was the center. I hope this answers some of your ?? and thanks again..Bruce

Irishman · #5 02-09-2008, 06:10 PM

The dark color that came out of the grain gives a nice look to your carving. There's something about seeing a carving come out of the old beams - very nice.
Patrick

gene messer · #6 02-09-2008, 09:30 PM

Nice carving Bruce .. great touch to a old piece of wood ..

The face is great looking ..

Gene

chpster90bu · #7 02-09-2008, 09:59 PM

Bruce...you did a beautiful job on that carving! I agree with Tom....really a nice soft look to it, and the finish is gorgeous. I love it. Bonnie

bowinhand · #8 02-10-2008, 09:26 AM

Great likeness of Longstreet. Love the Barn beam and the pegged joint. Many of the old barns here in western Pennsyvania are falling down and the wood is being sold off for houses out west.

but the cost of maintenance on the old barns is just too much.
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btree50 · #9 02-10-2008, 10:07 AM

Bruce, very nice job. I like it a lot.

Lynn O. Doughty · #10 02-10-2008, 10:14 AM

Really a nice piece of work. Love the coloring of the wood. One question though, was there a particular reason you carved the head at the bottom of the beam. If you don't mind my opinion I think it would have worked better if you had reversed the direction of the head to where the lower part of the knotched beam and pins would have elevated the head and served as a great base. Just a thought.