Total # of Attendees: 19
Notes:
Jim opened the meeting at 7:34 PM; he was a little under the weather.
Frankie Puzzatello is in the hospital. Jim has a card for everyone to sign
Next Thursday, heading to Westville Brewery in Westville, NJ, at 7 PM
John Owens continued his presentation on carving
Reviewed what he discussed at last meeting (what you can carve, benches, tools, lighting, etc.)
Went over numbering. First # is “Sweep” which is the curve
Second number (usually in millimeters) is the width of the blade (e.g., 7mm means the gouge is 7mm) across)
Over the break there will be an opportunity to try out the tools
Showed pictures of some of the projects you could work on (Cabinetry, Chest-on-chest, carving of figures, chip carving, etc.)
Doesn’t recommend chip carving to start – need to be close to perfect; not for a beginner
Discussion on methods to carve (handholds, way to control, etc.)
Using a Dremel or other rotary tool, if you are doing fine detail you need to plant your hand to get better control
Holding gouge very similar to how you handle lathe tool. Wrap left hand around tool, acts as brake and guide
Right hand provides the power and steers like a tiller on a sailboat
Rarely uses a mallet – relies on sharp gouges to make the cuts. Feels he has a better “feel” for the wood.
For marking it, tapes carbon paper on wood, then gets pattern and places on top. Patterns are available by book, online, or even something from a picture – then trace out with carbon paper on the wood
Good way to cut out pattern is to use your gouges to cut out shape and use that to punch out your pattern.
Went through some of the techniques for carving in 3-dimensions (laying out curves with compass, free drawing it, paper-thin patterns with pins to nail on, etc)
Took a break and let folks try out the tools
Discussed concern about splits with wood (going both with the grain, and against the grain)
Discussed ways to flatten around a carving (router, gouges to flatten it, etc.) leave 1/8” or 1/16” around it, and then use gouge to make final cut
Typical formula/sequence for carving: Reduce background, set in periphery, determine high & low spots, etc.) Think about the order you will do and marks you will need to make before you do a step
He has a tendency to start with large gouges and finish with small gouges
Showed the tool kit that his friend gave to the guild. This will be stored in the workbench
Jim discussed building a boat 2 years ago for Woodworks – a Dragonboat
Mark announced that Fri/Sat this week is Hearne Hardwood’s open house
They have 17 different vendors at the site (SAPFM, Lie Nielsen tools, etc.)
Bandsaw of 62” width that will be demo’d.
10 AM to 4 PM
Also announced Colonial Williamsburg SAPFM Jan 16-20 (great presenters)
Mike sent out discount tickets to the Philadelphia furniture show on line
Next Meeting on Thursday, Nov 7th
The meeting concluded at 9:15 PM.
