Sunday, September 28, 2008

Celtic Cross Update



The practice knot I carved when I started this project has a rounded look, like rope, but I tried something different with the final cross. Instead of creating rounded edges, they're chamfered, and I think it looks a lot nicer. (It's also a faster and easier technique.)

I used a gouge to chamfer the inside curves and cleaned them up with a small round file. All straight edges and outside curves were chamfered with a straight chisel.

Just another option if you plan to try this type of carving.

11 comments:

Vic Hubbard said...

That's looking GREAT Kari! I can't wait to see the finished product.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

You've incubated a serious case of carving envy.

Metalworker Mike said...

Very nice, indeed, Kari, and while the chamfered version might not be strictly correct as a representation of rope, nonetheless I prefer it!

M.Mike

Ethan said...

Mike,

I don't think the knot was supposed to actually LOOK like rope; I believe she was just using a simile.

Kari, I can't believe you didn't post a picture of even just the tiniest little small section of the chamfered knot...

Looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

Woodfired! said...

Great clean-looking work. Very brave close-up. Well done!

Shazza said...

Wow Kari, this is really coming along nicely! Beautiful work!

Ethan said...

Mmmm...

Thanks for the eye candy!

:)

Kari Hultman said...

Ahh, it's good to be back in the shop!

Michael D. said...

Perhaps you could give your readers a breakdown in the variety of chisels you used in making this?

It looks excellent - and time consuming!

PoCo Weir said...

Kari, Love the look of your idea. I know what you mean about the increased work if you round them off. I did a 30 inch knot on moulding once and the rounding took forever. I was wondering what tools you used to flatten the background at the bottom of the cuts. They look so smooth and clean. That is not such a simple thing. What was your secret?

Kari Hultman said...

Michael, I'll be happy to list the chisels and gouges I used. The cross shouldn't take very long to carve, with practice, or if you are not as slow a woodworker as I!

Poco Weir, you can read about the bent chisels I used in the post on Sept. 7. I only just found this type of chisel and they work very well.

Carving a 30" knot would definitely take a while. : )