Hello all!...just thought I'd introduce myself before asking any questions. My name is Ray and I have a home-based shop in Connecticut. I've only been doing this full time for about a year.
I've been reading the board daily for a few years, sometimes going into chat...but I've just begun to post here.
And now, the question (and an attempt at posting a pic)... I'm carving (or "trying to carve"...I'm pretty new at the carving stuff) an angel applique for a sign I'm doing. I'm wondering if anyone could recommend something (epoxy, etc.) to apply to the angel for strength? Some areas, like where the ribbon comes off the trumpet are pretty fragile. Any suggestions? Ray
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Welcome Ray! Check your email, I just sent you Joe Cieslowski's contact info. He's in CT and he's our resident carving guru.
Posted by Ray Benson (Member # 2720) on :
Thanks, Kimberly. I called Joe once before about carving , and he was very helpful...answering any questions I had. I probably have a million more, so I thought I'd just jump in and put one of them out here.
Thanks again!
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Ray
Looks like your carving is coming along great! The best way I have found to strengthen carvings, be it a piece to be painted or a naturally carved piece is to take super glue in runny format(not gel) and actually brush it on to the surface allowing for it to be absorbed. It creates quite a bit of strength.
Good Luck
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Ray,
Just a couple of questions... This looks to be about 12" long...? How thick is the HDU? What weight? Is this an interior or exterior sign? What kind of material is this going to be attached to? (substraight) Will the ribbon be lettered? What kind of paint would you like to use?
Maybe I can help.
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by Ray Benson (Member # 2720) on :
Joe, I forgot to mention that this is 3/4" 15lb signfoam. It's 14" from feet to the end of the trumpet. It will be mounted on an exterior sign...1 1/2" hdu. Paint will be oil based. The ribbon will have small lettering on it (painted, not carved). When attached to the substrate, it's profile will be pretty low, but I just wanted to strengthen it for my on peace of mind. Thanks, Ray
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
OK, Thanks,
What I would try.....
Using a fiberglass repair kit, I would seperate a few glass strands of glass that are the length of the horn and ribbon. Mix the resin and coat the back of the horn and ribbon with it. Add the glass strands over the resin....keep a lot of denatured alcohol handy to clean your fingers...
I might also use a couple of long thin brads pushed through the horn and ribbon and into the substraight (like standoffs) and paint those black.
This should help a lot....unless someone decides to break it off.
You didn't ask, but I thought I'd tell you how I would have done this differently (to avoid this problem). This wouldn't work in all cases but with this design, I would have carved the whole thing to the ground. The right arm could have been carved toward the back at the elbow and that would have put the horn and ribbon flat on the substrait.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)