• From Michael Taylor on What videos would you like to see?

    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.

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    2014/02/27 at 5:40 am
    • From Mary May on What videos would you like to see?

      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".

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      2014/02/28 at 8:33 pm
  • From robert mckenna on All About Gouges

    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...

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    2014/02/25 at 10:14 pm
    • From Mary May on All About Gouges

      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...

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      2014/02/26 at 10:50 pm
  • From robert mckenna on All About Gouges - Beginner Lesson #3

    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...

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    2014/02/25 at 10:14 pm
    • From Mary May on All About Gouges - Beginner Lesson #3

      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...

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      2014/02/26 at 10:50 pm
  • From David Atkinson on Sharpening a Curved Gouge - Beginner Lesson #4

    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.

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    2014/02/23 at 10:28 pm
  • From peter dumesny on Sharpening a Curved Gouge - Beginner Lesson #4

    hello mary. You said you felt strange sharping your tools the old fashioned way.I have been a backyard woodworker for about 3 yeas now.i have some big machinery. Band saw,drop saw, saw bench, 8'' jointer, woodlathe, etc.And i don' t realy enjoy useing them that much.But i do use them.I am realy happy when my time is spent useing hand tools.Why? because of the quiet.nothing better than doing your woodwork and all you can hear is the scrapping noise of the hand tool and the birds singing in the yard. Cheers

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    2014/02/17 at 9:49 pm