the swivel

[TM]

This will be a swivel, if I can pull it off correctly

The idea is to carve a dumbell shape and have 2 boxes on each end that move independently.

We'll see how it goes......

First step is to make outlines of the design on the block

[carvin don]

Heck TM, you'll be carving buildings and houses before long

[TM]

Here it is after a little work has been done. So far, so good.

[TM]

Hey Don, since you mentioned it, I did build a dog house last week

I've managed to stay out of it so far, but I did make it big enough just in case

[carvin don]

[dudleythetogi]

Your off to a good start TM,I thought I was gonna beat Don to the punch with my Santas.His kinda made mine,well,look kinda spooky.
Greg

[philco]

Hey Don, since you mentioned it, I did build a dog house last week

I've managed to stay out of it so far, but I did make it big enough just in case

Hey TM,
How long did it take you to whittle that dog house?

You guys sure do have some talent.
I truly enjoy seeing the things you all carve.
Thanks to all of you for sharing your creations with us fumble fingered folks.

Phil

[jonet143]

Your off to a good start TM,I thought I was gonna beat Don to the punch with my Santas.His kinda made mine,well,look kinda spooky.
Greg

Picture 1975.jpg

Picture 1977.jpg

greg, it's the stark lighting, black background and lack of happy colors! i like em, kinda goes with the season! there are some amazing guys on this site.

[TM]

Hey TM,
How long did it take you to whittle that dog house?

Phil

Greg, your Santas look good Johnnie's right - the color and the background of the photos is what makes them seem 'spooky'. Shape the eyes a little more with a crescent shape - and they'll look like they're smiling.

[texx39]

Hey Dudley,,,those Santa's look just like he does around my house when the bills start rolling in
Kinda sad and PO'd,,,,,LOL

[carvin don]

Greg,

There ain't nothin' wrong with those Santa's you whittled, they look just fine to me . Plus, you most likely only used a knife, whereas I used various palm tools and knives on my Santa.

I have a book on carving santas, knomes, robed figures, whatever you wanna' call 'em, that is really good. I decided to carve one using only my Queen whittler, then decided to add one tool, a small u gouge to add some detail in the beard. It's amazing sometimes, what adding one simlple tool can do to the character of the carving.

These are easy and quick to do, using only a 2"x2"x6" block of wood or larger/smaller, depending on how big you wanna' make him.

[dudleythetogi]

Thanks guys
I really wanna see that swivel thing that TM is workin on when he's finished,looks more complicated than i thought after i looked at it afew more times.
Greg

[TM]

OK - done!

What made this hard was the opening in the bottom of the cages. They ended up being larger than I wanted - but I can't see how they could be made any smaller without the aid of some special tool designed to fit in tight spaces and cut at an angle.

Anyway... here's the pics

[philco]

Very Cool TM,

You did a super job on this project.

You could win a few bar bets with that one.
(Betcha can't figure out how to get the barbel out of its holder)

Phil

[gmusic]

You guys have the patience of Jobe. I don't know that I could stay focused to complete that sort of work!

Very nice!

[islander]

Of course you can Gary look at the beautiful
knives you make they take patience to make also


_____________
Don

[gmusic]

They (the knives) try my patience...................for sure! Thank you Don.

Very nice work! Be sure to show us your next project.

[carvin don]

Real nice job TM. Did you use that barlow to carve it? You make nice clean cuts

gmusic,

I agree with "islander," if you can produce those beautiful knives you can produce woodchips

[TM]

Gary, sometimes I loose patience with stuff I'm working on. When it breaks that can be really frustrating

What's cool though is when you can get in the 'zone' while you're carving, and your entire focus is on it - kind of a zen thing, I guess

Don, I did most of the work with those new flexcut knives I picked up. I sliced on it a little with the barlow, along with a few other pocket knives. I had to ask my Dremel for help with those holes in the bottom of the cages!

I've been sanding the pieces with some fine sandpaper after finishing. I think from now on though, I'm going to keep them a little more 'cut' looking so they retain the hand carved look.

Glad ya'll like it. I've got a couple more things in the works right now and will post soon!

[keithlong]

Hey TM,
Nice job on the barbells. I have been spending a lot of time in my neighbors shop, making some bird feeders. Will post pics of them tomorrow if I can get my camera to work. Now i am going to set aside some time to get bact to whittling and carving. Time to get into the 'ZONE' again.