• From Robert McCabe on Carving a Lily & Rose - Episode 1

    I like it,bottle of scotch is good for a sore throat does not cure it ,makes it easier to live with. I am envious of the way you switch hands , I used to be able to do that with tools but I have to find other ways. Bob

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    2015/04/24 at 1:01 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving a Lily & Rose - Episode 1

      Thanks Robert! I actually had to stop filming this lesson and get back to is 2 weeks later after getting a pretty bad cold where I completely lost my voice. This episode was the "start" of the scratchy throat.

      I remember you mentioning you only had use of one hand. You may want to consider rigging up a lazy-susan where you can lock it and easily swing it around again. The important thing is to be able to lock it solidly and easily release it to rotate it around again. I know you can purchase these metal rotation pieces from Lowes. Let me know!

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      2015/04/24 at 3:14 pm
  • From John Schutz on Carving a Lily & Rose

    Beautiful work; very inspiring.

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    2015/04/24 at 11:56 am
  • From Rick Raley on Basic Finishing Techniques for Basswood Carvings

    May & Dan, Great video - can't wait to see the next ones! I do agree with Raja! - Zinzeer is a 2 lb cut. Love shellac! I always use the thinned 1lb cut on any wood I'm going to stain (more absorbent wood might need a second coat). If you want to satin at that point - try using gelstains - much easier to get a uniform color. To protect the final finish - another light coat of the thinned shellac and then a wipe-on poly... great finish. One caution on using shoe polish as a wax - In my experience the colors can be fugitive (not stable) and tend to fade over time...

    One issue I hope you can address: getting the same value of color on a carved area (slicker/less absorbent) and a sanded area (more absorbent and tending to be darker)...

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    2015/04/15 at 5:51 pm
  • From Jim Stoeckel on Carving a Samuel McIntire Styled Fruit Basket - Episode 2

    Hi Mary,

    Thanks to your videos I have started using fishtail gouges and like them a lot. Ashley Iles has the #3/6 mm in a fishtail. Go to Tools for Working Wood. Check under Ashley Iles, London Pattern, Sweeps 3 & 4. I have the 3/6. Very nice tools but the edges of the shafts are not "eased" so they feel fairly sharp. Since these are "London" pattern they are made to withstand a mallet but still feel light in weight to me.

    As for the #3/3mm, the only place I can find individual Two Cherries tools (Kirchen) is Chipping Away in Canada. They do not have a #3/3mm but they have a #3/4mm which is hardly much different. Two Cherries are very nice, with eased edges that are comfortable. I have a couple of their palm tools. Since they are German I assume the full size tools are somewhat lighter than their English brothers.

    So glad there are people like you to help us old folks with are hobbies!

    Jim

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    2015/04/06 at 7:43 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving a Samuel McIntire Styled Fruit Basket - Episode 2

      Hi Jim,
      Glad you're enjoying the school!

      My #3, 3mm are all straight. It seems that quite often any gouges less than 6mm wide do not come in fishtail shape. I do not have many Two Cherries, but have heard good things about them. The only thing I have noticed is that they can be a little bulky feeling. Finding sources of good quality tools has been a difficult journey for me, and is an ongoing job.

      Bob Eason, who helps with the technical side of the online school, has been very diligent in putting together an organized list of preferred tools, suppliers, and a list of common tool questions that come up quite often from students. I'm sifting through that and finalizing it this week. It should be available on the website soon.

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      2015/04/06 at 9:18 pm
  • From Mike Ogden on Carving a Samuel McIntire Styled Fruit Basket - Episode 2

    Mary are you using a 3/3mm fishtail or straight gouge? Hard to see. I prefer to get fishtail gouges in general, but since it seems that the 3/3mm is more frequently used I was thinking on getting the pfeil brand as opposed to the mastercarver brand, which i sometimes get as well. Problem is pfeil doesn't have 3/3mm fishtail, and mastercarver does. Have you noticed any real quality in steel difference? I know the pfeil are prettier and shiny, but I couldn't really care less about that, more about functionality.

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    2015/04/01 at 1:18 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving a Samuel McIntire Styled Fruit Basket - Episode 2

      Him Mike,
      I do know that my #3, 3mm does not come in fishtail. For most of the European brands, the fishtails start at 6mm. I purchased one of the Mastercarver brand tools from Woodcarver's Supply and I was surprised that it held a very good edge. They are a good price, but as you said - not so pretty. I don't really like their handles either. But then again, you can get stuck on a certain shaped handle, certain look to the tools, when the main quality that is really important with carving is that it holds a good edge - and the Mastercarver tools do - at least the one I tested.

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      2015/04/01 at 5:21 pm