Thread: A little whittle

A pile of wood chips on the downstairs table and some figurines.

I need to work on centering my work. Offset eyes and mouth stand out when you look at it closely from the front. The book told me how to do it but I guesstimated anyway.

The fish was a little tricky getting an s-bend to show the fish swimming. Carved too much out on the inside of his belly but you can't see it from his good side.

Will get some water based stain or danish oil this week to try it out.

The cat and dog will wait a while.

On a bandsaw note for cutting blanks, whats a good way to stabilise the piece after you have cut out the blank on the top view. When I turn it to the side to cut more waste off the piece it can become very unstable without a flat base.

What is a good way to stabilise it?

Russell

Not to shabby at all, the figures are recognisable and in good proportion I think it's a great idea to be able to take something like that with you.

Once you cut off a section, can you re-attach it with tape so you still have a flat side as a support?

They look great

What type of wood have you used. I am attempting whittling and using English Lime. Your thoughts please. By the way, both items definately look like they are meant to. Great work.

Daf

The two I carved out are Jelutong. The cat is in Houn pine but have not got the knife into it yet. I whittled the ones below in Houn pine and I found it as nice as Jelutong under the knife if a touch harder.

My holidays just finished so the carving will slow down a little.

English lime is the same as Basswood? Is that expensive?

Russell

I have been told that English lime is the same as basswood. Certainly is nice to cut and carve. Is a bit pricey, not bad if only doing small stuff (which I am). How readily available is Jelutong?

I went on the hunt for some carving timbers in March in Melbourne and compared it to other places up the east coast. Almost all the furniture timber stores had it. Not sure what you have in SA.

Lazarides Timber - Fine timber merchants
http://www.monarotimber.com.au/
Mathews Timber - Home
Trend Timbers » Front Page

Just shoot off an email to each one and compare prices. They were all very helpful and I found Mathews conveniently close by with a decent price for my Jelutong. Call up a local specialist woodworking store in your area they usually have good advise too. Local woodworking group websites usually have good link sites to timber suppliers too.

Originally Posted by daf

I have been told that English lime is the same as basswood. Certainly is nice to cut and carve. Is a bit pricey, not bad if only doing small stuff (which I am). How readily available is Jelutong?

G'day all,

I do quite a bit of whittling... as the name suggests!

Basswood and Lime are essentially the same wood... just different sides of the Atlantic. They are both expensive here in Oz. Jelutong is cheaper and easier to get hold of though it is not quite as capable of holding fine detail as lime is. Don't let this worry you... its still pretty good. Daf... you can get both from Otto's Timber, 5 Anne St, Stepney, 8362 3522.

Attached is of two Jelutong 'blind' mice on a Cypress 'cheese'.

Thanks for the feedback Bellor and Whittling. Both have answered the question. Whittling, I actually get the English Lime from Otto's at Stepney. Never thought to look for Jelutong there as I was not aware it was used for carving. Looks like I will have to get a bit. Thanks again for both of your asistance.

Daf

Finished them off with a coat of danish oil. Probably go with polyurethane next time.

Russ

Great work! I especially like the dog and cat. Might give those a try. Got an idea for a teddy bear too... all made from off-cuts of other projects.

Russell
On your band saw question. When you cut your first profile, try to make the cut in one piece, maybe two but no more then three. then the two sides that you have just cut off are taped back on to the piece ( use masking tape) to give you a square block again. You will need to redraw your design back on over the tape, you now have a square block again to cut the other profile.

Terry

cheers

Russ