Back to real work

More repetitive (but enjoyable) mouldings for Chatsworth House.

More Chatsworth

Progressing with mouldings for Chatsworth House. I'd like to dedicate this post to Chris Pye, very generous in sharing his carving knowledge over the internet.

 

Extras

Strawberry Hill extras, shortsighted

More moulding for Chatsworth House

On and on

Inching along with oak mouldings for Chatsworth House. Finished soon. My back is holding out, partly thanks to a physiotherapist's exercises which, if you walked into my workshop without warning, would resemble the strange contortions of a Morris Dancer! Please knock first!

Sore hands and a tip of the day

The Chatsworth mouldings are progressing well, my back is holding up, with rests. Thankyou for encouraging comments, on this blog and in real life.

There are around 614 divisions altogether, each with a stem, leaf and curved flute. Now that I am nearly done, I feel OK to count them. It would have been too daunting to count them at the beginning. Callouses and sore hands from repetetive daily carving but musn't grumble!

Here's a carving tip that an old carver passed on to me. It has been useful doing this job.

When stabbing repeatedly into oak (especially doing mouldings like these), occasionally dip the tip of the gouge into tallow (from a plumber's supplier). It eases into the hard timber more easily and also seems to keep the edge sharp for longer. Don't use too much tallow or it will soak into the wood and stain.

 

Optimism

After weeks of not being able to work, due to my back, I am now 'back' to work, carving mouldings in oak for Chatsworth House. It's going to be a long, exacting job and I expect my back and stamina to be tested. As a sign of optimism I have bought some nice fishtail gouges to match the curves of the repeat pattern on the mouldings. Touch wood.....

Food hampers and words of encouragement very welcome!

Scale Drawing

Practising Scales

Two puns for the price of one today!

Slough

The beginnings of a snake for Chatsworth House

Busy, busy, busy

Sorry I haven't written for a while. Still busy with these for Chatsworth House.