Thread: Wooden Stool WIP & Seat Sculpting

Much as I like grinding discs, and their speed, I would be more inclined to go with a hand tool for better control.

Whilst I like walnut, I am also an advocate of our Australian timbers for beauty, and would go the tassie oak route. Just my 0.02c worth.

PS. I like your workshop layout and dust control.

Thanks Cava,

The legs are tassie oak and the seat will be primarily tassie oak with walnut breadboards.

Which hand tools would you recommend? I'm confused about which would work. I imagine a scorp would be hard work in seasoned hardwood for example. The pullshave would work but I feel like something a little coarser would be better to start with and possibly something finer to finish...?

It's not my area of expertise, and someone more knowledgeable should chime in. That stated I would be inclined to try a travisher.

From a dimensional perspective, can you advise the diameter of ducting that you have used on the Harvey table saw?

I am looking to open up my table saw, and improve the dust collection and yours looks the goods!

Originally Posted by cava

From a dimensional perspective, can you advise the diameter of ducting that you have used on the Harvey table saw?

I am looking to open up my table saw, and improve the dust collection and yours looks the goods!

Hi Cava, the table saw has 6" ducting to the cabinet with a bell mouth entry. There is also a 4" overhead collection point. If you find my clearvue thread it's all detailed in there. Let me know if you can't find it.

Still no advice on the seat carving anyone?

I've used the Holey Galahad and the Kutzall. Prefer the Holey as you can really see the exact spot you are carving as you go. The green 'fine' disk is more than enough especially for what you are doing. It is a quick remover and with a bit of practice first on a test piece (really important to get used to it I think) you'll get used to how it works. I did most of my carving outside so my shop wasn't full of dust. After that you could use a whole range of curved sole hand tools to help you out but I reckon straight from the fine Holey Galahad you could use sand paper and card scrapers.

Side note, careful when tightening the disk onto the grinder as if the grinder wrench comes off it will chip the little carbide teeth off of the disk. I'm missing a few and it hasn't effect performance at all.

Very nice stool BTW.

Originally Posted by hurcorh

I've used the Holey Galahad and the Kutzall. Prefer the Holey as you can really see the exact spot you are carving as you go. The green 'fine' disk is more than enough especially for what you are doing. It is a quick remover and with a bit of practice first on a test piece (really important to get used to it I think) you'll get used to how it works. I did most of my carving outside so my shop wasn't full of dust. After that you could use a whole range of curved sole hand tools to help you out but I reckon straight from the fine Holey Galahad you could use sand paper and card scrapers.

Side note, careful when tightening the disk onto the grinder as if the grinder wrench comes off it will chip the little carbide teeth off of the disk. I'm missing a few and it hasn't effect performance at all.

Very nice stool BTW.

Thanks, if I do go with the Galahad I wasn't sure whether the medium or fine was more appropriate so it's good to hear the fine is quick cutting enough. Does the standard grinder nut work with this or do I need to buy one of their "universal nuts"? Cheers, Dom

Originally Posted by DomAU

Thanks, if I do go with the Galahad I wasn't sure whether the medium or fine was more appropriate so it's good to hear the fine is quick cutting enough. Does the standard grinder nut work with this or do I need to buy one of their "universal nuts"? Cheers, Dom

For my Bosch grinder the standard nut works and my Holey wheel came with a little arbor washer to bring the wheel down to the standard size for the grinder. Sorry, don't have it on hand to measure. (Away from home till Friday)

Thanks Hurcorh,

Ordered a Holey Galahad - Round Fine, as well as a medium and fine sand flappy-disc thingo. Don't think they'll arrive before the weekend but will hopefully get to try them out early next week.

Still a bit of work to do on the stool before shaping the seat in any case; like making the seat in the first place

Well I glued, dowelled and wedged the joints. Had a bit of trouble with one set of dowels/joint that was too tight after a tiny bit of glue as all joints were already tap-tight dry. Lesson learnt.

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You can see the slight gap where the joint didn't snug tight due to this glue tightness. I think it will disappear after finishing/ wax

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I also cut the seat mortise and tennon joinery / breadboards. Got to exercise the skew rebbate and large shoulder planes.

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Got my holey galahad so will shape the seat next. But away racing this weekend so not until next week

Finally got a morning to try sculpting the seat! Used a fine Holey Galahad grinding disc as well as a pullshave, spokeshave, Japanese half round file/rasp and some hand sandpaper. I found it was tricky to get a smooth finish straight from the galahad grinding disc; just lack of skill no doubt. But it didn't take much work with the other tools to get rid of the bumps. I would have liked to have had a Travisher and a curved seat rasp. I didn't go too deep with the sculpting (didn't want to go too far and ruin it).

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Some finish sanding to go. And I still need to make the dovetail fastening for the seat to the frame. Almost done though.

Oh, and applying some sort of finish I guess. Not sure what yet. Maybe BLO and wax. Or Danish oil. Or Antique oil...

cool

Finished the base with some antique oil. Didn't like the result; too dark and orange. Spent 3 hours sanding the finish off and then went with a cabinet makers wax. Happy enough with this finish.

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Very nice.