The Palmetto tree is an important symbol in South Carolina. Hence, the requests Mary gets for palmettos. In describing the SC flag, Wikipedia says:
"The palmetto tree was added in 1861, also a reference to Moultrie's defense of Sullivan Island; the fortress he'd constructed had survived largely because the palmetto trees, laid over sand walls, were able to withstand British cannons."
Thanks for yet another lesson showing the importance of layering. I assume this will end up as the center decoration for the top face of the mantel. Very attractive!
Thanks for the history lesson! It's a very typical design you see around the Charleston area - and it's important that it is not confused with a "palm tree" which is more what you see in Florida. Yes, this is going to be a center design on a fireplace surround. If you have access to butternut wood, it's a great wood to carve. I don't get much opportunity to work with it.
I would like to see you carve the acanthus leaf you produced in the drawing video. I was able to produce the drawing but was not sure how to deal with the pipes on the overlapping leaves. When I went back to the other video on acanthus leaves on legs I noticed they don't have overlapping leaves.
Hi Michael, that leaf was one that I carved for the first Woodwright's Shop back in 2009. You can see the older shows on his web site - https://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/featured-guests/mary-may/.
I also have a few other acanthus leaf videos that I plan to add that have that more traditional "eye" and "pipe".
You mentioned a 60 degree angle #5/6mm v chisel. What is the best angle for the other gouges. I bought a set of cheap chisel, and the angle was about 45 degrees. Impossible to carve as the chisel is practically standing straight up. Thanks...
The 60 degree angle for the v-chisel actually refers to the angle that the v is shaped - Off the top of my head, the angle comes in either 45 degrees, 60 degrees and 100 degrees. This is not the angle of the bevel, but the opening of the v-chisel. I typically have my gouges anywhere from a 20 degree angle to a 25 degree angle bevel (just discovered this because of some inquisitive engineers in a recent class). So the 45 degree angle bevel definitely needs to be ground back. However, you may find that once you grind the bevel back and get your tool nice and sharp that the edge won't stay sharp for very long. This is simply because if this is truly a "cheap" chisel, it has not been hardened properly. Find someone who works with metal and see if they can temper the end of the blade. This is a completely different world than I am familiar with, so maybe if some metal expert has some suggestions here...
You mentioned a 60 degree angle #5/6mm v chisel. What is the best angle for the other gouges. I bought a set of cheap chisel, and the angle was about 45 degrees. Impossible to carve as the chisel is practically standing straight up. Thanks...
The 60 degree angle for the v-chisel actually refers to the angle that the v is shaped - Off the top of my head, the angle comes in either 45 degrees, 60 degrees and 100 degrees. This is not the angle of the bevel, but the opening of the v-chisel. I typically have my gouges anywhere from a 20 degree angle to a 25 degree angle bevel (just discovered this because of some inquisitive engineers in a recent class). So the 45 degree angle bevel definitely needs to be ground back. However, you may find that once you grind the bevel back and get your tool nice and sharp that the edge won't stay sharp for very long. This is simply because if this is truly a "cheap" chisel, it has not been hardened properly. Find someone who works with metal and see if they can temper the end of the blade. This is a completely different world than I am familiar with, so maybe if some metal expert has some suggestions here...
Totally new to this. Seventy years old and totally new.
Thank you for the "free" week to see if your online type classes mesh with my learning abilities.
Was actually looking for Sharpening Instructions when I found your site and will be trying your method/instructions out on one oif my old gouges tomorrow.
Thanks again. DavidA.
From Bob Easton on Carving a Palmetto & Live Oak Tree
Go to comment2014/02/27 at 9:21 am
From Mary May on Carving a Palmetto & Live Oak Tree
Go to comment2014/02/28 at 8:27 pm
From Michael Taylor on What videos would you like to see?
Go to comment2014/02/27 at 5:40 am
From Mary May on What videos would you like to see?
Go to comment2014/02/28 at 8:33 pm
From robert mckenna on All About Gouges
Go to comment2014/02/25 at 10:14 pm
From Mary May on All About Gouges
Go to comment2014/02/26 at 10:50 pm
From robert mckenna on All About Gouges - Beginner Lesson #3
Go to comment2014/02/25 at 10:14 pm
From Mary May on All About Gouges - Beginner Lesson #3
Go to comment2014/02/26 at 10:50 pm
From David Atkinson on Sharpening a Curved Gouge - Beginner Lesson #4
Go to comment2014/02/23 at 10:28 pm
From Mary May on Sharpening a Curved Gouge - Beginner Lesson #4
Go to comment2014/02/26 at 10:44 pm