Flutin and reedin

[Mr Chips]

Hi everyone.

Would like to ask if anyone can help with information on the early methods of producing flutes and reeds on lathe turned items. Have recently purchased a few odd items from an auction, mainly chair legs.

Am interested to understand how before power tools it was done as some of the legs show chisel marks in the flutes and the reeding is somewhat irregular in taper and general form. Leads me to believe that it was all done by hand tools.

Unsure of the date these items were originally made but would estimate circa 1900's.

Thanks from a newby to the group.

[ubeaut]

Hand carved using carving tools flutes were mainly done with a fluter which is a deep fluted gouge, reeds can be cut with a variety of tools from a V tool and straight carvers chisel to a knife and reverse bent gouges. The flutes usually require the specialised tool whereas the reeds don't.

Hope this is a little clearer than mud.

Cheers - Neil :)

[Mr Chips]

Hi Neil

Thanks for that information have looked in a few catalogues for the fluting gouge and found nothing named that specifically. Could you recommend an equivalent tool from either the Pfiel or Hirsch range that'll do the job ?

Will have to purchase these gouges but am open to any suggestions re:- sources, brands etc other than the two mentioned.

Thanks again

Clive

[ubeaut]

G'day Clive - the pfeil #11 straight gouge is pretty much a fluter (also known as a veiner)

#25 (I think that's it) is their reverse bent, probably about a 20mm (depending on the width of the reeds) but not really a tool that you need to have.

More important than having the right tool is being able to sharpen them correctly and having the knowledge to use them without ripping the timber to pieces.

You will find it isn't just a case of shoving the tool into the wood and pushing till you've done the job. That just won't work and you will most likely end up in an awful mess.

It is sometimes cheaper in the log run to get a carver to do the job for you. The tools alone could set you back a couple of hundred dollars for a knife, V tool, Fluter and gouge or carvers chisel. Then you will need sharpening equipment etc etc. (you don't put your carving tools onto a bench grinder) You could end up with a possible total outlay of over $300 or more before you make the first cut. You could probably get the carving on a dozen legs done for that price if you took them to a professional carver.

Cheers - Neil :)

PS Don't want to dampen your spirits any but you should decide if carving is what you want to do before spending too much money on the tools. You can always buy 2nd hand tools but the chances of you finding exactly what you want are pretty slim and you still need to be able to sharpen and use them.

[Iain]

Im may be barking up the wrong tree but there is a Veristas tool that looks like a marking gouge but has a variety of V blades for cutting flutes etc.

[Mr Chips]

Hi guys.

Have to agree 100% with you advice ther Neil so have only purchased a few chisels over the last few years as need arose , as for honing and polishing HELP !!!!.
Have a buffing machine with the tapered arbours for the cloth wheels if this is of any help.
Can only dabble with things at present but would like become more involved with chip carving ,relief carving and pierced work (think thats what it is called ) scrolling also has a great appeal.
Bought those chair legs and small columns as examples of the carvings on the ends some with flutes and reeds just as examples of fine work to learn from .

Iain had a quick look for your reference no luck yet finding it but will keep searching thankyou for that.

Thanks again for all your help and advise greatly appreciated.
CU
Clive