With chisel in fist I stand poised to make my first askut in a newly prepared HDU sign blank, and questions start creeping into my head...
Do I attack the letters in the same manner as with wood? What about sharpening? Does HDU dull chisels faster/slower than say, cedar? Is there any requirement to alter the bevel angle of my chisel, steeper? shallower? Am I overlooking any obvious approach, trick or secret to carving letters in HDU?
Any input would be appreciated, in the meantime I'm off to find some scrap to attack.
Thanks!
Posted by Janet Bakewell (Member # 725) on :
Glad to see you finally taking the first step in your carving career, Ms. Rose...
Can't help you with your questions, as I have no talent in that area, but I'm sure there are lots of folks on here who can answer your questions.
As I recall, the only time I've carved HDU was about 8 years ago - you and I sharing a bottle of tequila while using a dremel tool. It wasn't pretty.
Anyway, welcome to Letterville!
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
There is not a lot of difference in the procedure from what you have been used to in wood. HDU doesn't give as much resistance and there is no grain, so it is very easy to carve. Chisels have to be kept very sharp, and yes, HDU does dull them faster than wood...or at least that's my perception.
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
At the Chisel Jam we were all carving for 3 days with everwood.....no resharpening necessary. IMO a properly sharpened tool will stay sharp for a long long time. I carve ALL the time...maybe one or two tools need regrinding in a year.
Send me a S.A.S.E....I'll send you the article.
Make Chips!
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
[ March 21, 2005, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: Joe Cieslowski ]
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by Artisan Signs (Member # 3146) on :
Dallas, I have been carving since redwood, cedar, and mahogany were the choice, and I use HDU now.
I don't notice much of a difference in the technique, except you dont have to pay attention to grain direction with HDU, which is nice.
As far as sharpening, I haven't noticed any significant difference in HDU dulling the chisles any faster than wood.
I have the same profile (grind) on my chisles for the last couple years. I usually "touch them up" on a muslin buffing wheel with rouge every couple of letters, and they are sharp enough to shave the hair off of your arm. When they are that sharp, they carve nicely, and are easy to keep sharp as Joe says.
Good luck, Bob
Posted by dallas rose (Member # 3127) on :
Thanks everyone! Armed with this information I feel more take the 'plunge'.
Excellent sharpening information as well. I use pretty much the same equipment for sharpening and shaping, a Norton 120x cool wheel and hard felt wheel charged with green honing compound. Also have a piece of leather glued to a board for quick stropping.
My next round of questioning will involve carving slate.
-Dallas
Oh... and a special thanks to YOU Janet, for dragging up that bit of darkness from our past!!! Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
Ya!!
What Joe said!! He da man!!!
It might be in your best intrest to try outlining your letters with a really sharp knife. This will give you a "stop" for your chips.
Joe.... is this good advise??
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Mark,
I use a knife or skew chisel to define the CENTERS of incised letters...then carve to the center. Outlining........nope. I think you need another "Chisel Jam"........lol
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by dallas rose (Member # 3127) on :
Mark, were you refering to slate when you suggested "outlining the letters with at really sharp knife"?
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