Table frame and vice handle

Okay, I have been out to the shop and working on something besides ornaments. Here are two projects I am working on.

The first project you see is an Indian head carving in a class 2 years ago, but have not worked on it as I could get a good way to hold it up at a working height. I made the 2 support posts out of Myrtal wood, with a hinge joint between them. The 5/16" bolt goes through the center of the joint and I use the new vice handle to tighten the clamp. I wanted a metal handle cause if the joint slips, I can use a mallet to tighten it back up. I finally found and ordered the handle from Lee Valley Tools and it was perfect for what I wanted. I'd been looking at catalogs for 2 years trying to find it.

The second project is a table to put behind the table saw to help catch the over sized boards (plywood). While the finished size turned out a little large for my shop, I'll keep it around a while to see how it works. On top of the frame that you see I placed a 48x38" piece of Melamine coated particle board, not my preferred choice but it should work fine here. Note that I even got to use the 2 new 4' clamps that I got for Christmas. Since the top was Melamine I banded the edges to protect them and also got to use the new little Iron I also got for Christmas. (I understand the guys at the woodshop were getting jealous.)

Enjoy, and be careful of the splinters.

Artistry in Wood Show

I went to Lincoln City for the Artistry in Wood show on Saturday. There was a combination of turning and carving booths, mostly carving. There were some great pieces to look at. I think there was a little more carving on cottonwood this year, and I even bought a couple of pieces to give it a try. I also picked up some more basswood and a chunk of butternut. I did not take any pictures this year so you get none to see. A nice part of a regular show like this is that the carvers keep getting better over time. I was impressed by some of the work, even though I have seen several of the better carvers before, their new pieces were well executed. There were a few new carvers at the show with interesting projects.

One that caught my eye was a carver in redwood with a Alaskan Tinglet Indian style of work. While I like the ideas and design I felt that the quality was lacking. These pieces were also large, as the smallest was 2x3 feet.

Another table the carver had been carving folding deer, cut from a single 2"x4" piece of wood. He even showed me a experiment he made carving a three fold joint from a single 4"x4" block. It looks technically tough. He also had some spoons/scoops that he carved from a single block that were quite well done, chains that were about 2 feet long and several other items.

They had classes scheduled throughout the day, but I passed on those as I figured my time was limited.

I did pick up info on 2 other shows coming up:

• Lower Columbia Wood Carvers 2010 26ht Anniversary
  
  Sept. 25 & 26, 2010 at the Cowlitz Expo Center
  
  
• Southcoast Woodcarvers 19th Show & Sale
  
  April 17 and 18, 2010 at the North Bend Community Center
  
  

There were 4 large vendors at the show, and a couple of small one selling from within a regular table. The big guys had some of everything that you could use for carving including wood, knifes, books, gloves, rotary grinders and more. I think 2 of the smaller guys were selling custom knives and a third was selling cotton wood for carving.

All in all, it was a good show.
Enjoy, but be careful of the splinters.

New ornaments

Okay, I haven't posted anything for a while. Blame it on the holidays. Here are two pictures of ornaments that I have turned since New Years. All are slated to be given away, along with two or three more that I haven't made yet. The bodies are Myrtal Wood with Cherry finials. Note that the last one I turned, sitting up on top, has the grain, and consequently the 'rays' in a different direction then the rest. One of these pictures was left very large, so it may take some time to load. All of these are hollow and I am getting better at that part.

Also note that one has two loose rings on it. Just having fun trying to see if I can turn them.

A third picture I included is an ornament I turned tonight, and I don't believe the body is Myrtle wood. It's a little different shape since the piece was narrower and longer. As you can see I had not yet glued it together so you can see the parts. Once it is together I will post that picture.



Enjoy, and be careful of the splinters.