Thread: Eric the Echidna (work in progress)

Hi Dunned, I like Eric, nice piece of Jarrah there, the way the grain is running looks perfect for an Echidna, don't think it needs clay spikes.

I'd skip the clay spikes & just texture the body so it look like spikes laying down.

I agree with Cliff = relief carving for the spikes. Should look elegant.
Black/very dark stain and carve back down into it.
Raised spikes is a defensive posture with tension. Not keen on that.

Thanks for the comments.

I don't think I will go with clay spikes as suggested. Will look at making a sea urchin to use the spikes for, will use jarrah again for the centre section (got a picture in my head of what it will look like).

Will finish the sanding off and probably leave as is, has a nice feeling to it, one of those objects that makes you want to pick it up and run your hands over it. Thats what seems to happen when people see it anyway.

Haven't done any relief carving so don't want to stuff it up.

Anyone recommend a finish to use on it ?

Not sure I want to use something that darkens the timber. I know I could go to the finishing area but it's a bit like information overload there, any suggestion would be appreciated. I have tried a number of different finishes in the past on jarrah, not sure I have discovered the right fomulae yet.

Not sure if it's worth anything to you, but I use a lot of jarrah, mostly as shafts for walking sticks and staves, but more recently in carvings too. I sand to 440, then steel wool to 00. Finally, rub vigorously with a brown paper bag. Next seal with a dilute (one quarter normal strength) blonde or bleached shellac, repeat steel wool and paper bag, then oil lightly with grape seed oil. Allow about an hour and wipe off excess oil with clean rag and buff with clean rag followed by paper bag again.

I know you'll like the result, but if you are having trouble believing it, try it on a scrap piece of jarrah first. I'll be interested to hear what you think.

Which Arbortech did you use?

Yep! looking good!!

Funny thing, I saw an echidna today. Lovely animals.

Whittling I'll give the shellac a go, would you suggest "U Beaut" White Shellac or something different ?

Cava, have a few arbortech tools, used a combination, Industrial woodcarver, Mini grinder with industrial wheel and sanding discs and also gave the Turboplane a run. Recently purchased the Mini Turbo although I haven't used it yet, need to get another grinder to use it. I like to have each attachment on a different machine so I don't have to muck around changing discs etc.

Run a powerboard with 3 grinders and a drill with sanding attachment and just alternate when needed, as they all offer something different, also have the compressor set up to blow the dust off as I'm going along, use my Triton Superjaws to hold the piece I'm working on.

My setup has changed overtime, just about got it right now. As mentioned I'm experimenting with different finishes also so appreciate seeing what you experienced guys are using. Have tried a variety of different woods, however keep coming back to jarrah probably just a Western Australian thing.

The 'U Beut' white shellac will work fine. Don't use it full strength though. Dilute it with metho to about 25% of the recommended dilution in the instructions.

Also note that you have to do your homework regarding the sanding. The process described earlier really brings out the best in the wood but it won't hide scratches from any areas you missed sanding... so try not to miss any!

Don't forget to post your results. I'm looking forward to hearing how you go.

Originally Posted by Whittling

Not sure if it's worth anything to you, but I use a lot of jarrah, mostly as shafts for walking sticks and staves, but more recently in carvings too. I sand to 440, then steel wool to 00. Finally, rub vigorously with a brown paper bag. Next seal with a dilute (one quarter normal strength) blonde or bleached shellac, repeat steel wool and paper bag, then oil lightly with grape seed oil. Allow about an hour and wipe off excess oil with clean rag and buff with clean rag followed by paper bag again.

I know you'll like the result, but if you are having trouble believing it, try it on a scrap piece of jarrah first. I'll be interested to hear what you think.

Hi Whittling, I'm really curious about the paper bag bit in this process, what does that do? do you use any old paper bag?

Originally Posted by Robthechisel

Hi Whittling, I'm really curious about the paper bag bit in this process, what does that do? do you use any old paper bag?

Hi Rob, Not sure WHY it works, but a brown paper bag is mostly wood fiber. I suspect that it acts like a fine burnisher. Its not effective unless you have done all your various sanding down through the grits. When you rub it vigorously you will see the difference... (no... not that!.. well maybe that too, but I'm talking about the jarrah.)

Yep, gotta love the Jarrah, nice piece