I built a roughing out tool from a drywall router.  These are high speed, brutal tools for rough construction work.  With the addition of a variac AC power supply, I could tame it so I had a low speed, but high torque motor.  The vacuum cleaner is the loud part of the setup.  The arm rests and work position were inspired by the glass blower's lamp working station.  I have the mount leaning back at a slight angle to get a better view of the work.  The on-off switch to the router is on the opposite end from the tool.  The switch pulls out for on and there is a plastic stud exposed when the tool is on.  If the cutter binds up or there is other trouble I just have to push  my chest forward to turn it off.  That way I don't have to take a hand off the work and I can have maximum control with both hands.  The work position is relaxed.  Like any new tool it takes a little getting used to, but it can remove much material quickly.

Regards,

Fox sends.

I'm a long time lurker on this forum and I have been picking up knowledge about techniques, tools and materials for a fews years now, I want to thank you one and all for your generosity and your willingness to share so openly, so Thank You.

Lately I've been thinking allot about gravers, reading and looking at the work on this forum has inspired me to try to learn how to begin using these essential tools in my own carving. I contacted Ian Thorne with the idea that if I get a few gravers made by a professional I could learn to use them and then try to make a few of my own. Ian informed me that he has not been well for quite a while, and suggested I contact Stephan Myhre. I've had Mr. Myher's book for a long time, so reread the section on making gravers, and thanks to Janel and the rest of you I think I can make them myself.

Truth be told I tried to make a set several years ago and they came out so bad that I just gave them to a friend who I thought might be able to fix them.

So here are some images of the first part of my learning to make, and hopefully use, gravers in my bone carving.

Material is Drill rod from the hardware store and some concrete anchor rod I got from my neighbor, It seemed to have a very high carbon content when I did a spark test.

Next I ground a shank onto each piece and annealed in a a small forge I have.

Next I ground a bevel on the face of two of them.

Then this morning I attempted to grind them to shape.

This is my first post and I'll post more as I go.

Thanks,

Jerome.

I'm interested in starting to carve netsuke, however coming from a whittling/spoon carving background my tools are of a larger variety. Are there any recommendations from any other Aussies for sources of carving tools that are more suited for netsuke?

I have picked up Robert Jubbs book and I am basing my starting tool selection on his recommendations, however brands like Dockyards are currently difficult to obtain either due to cost of freight or just delivery time frame. I have access to the Kirschen range of carving tools, but I wanted to check if their was other sources outside of the 2-3 major woodworking stores in Aus.

I have recently handed down some of my great great grandfather's wood working tools and thought I would share. 

Almost works of art in themselves....

I poked around the archives using the search feature, but the threads about holding work all seemed to be with regard to later detail stages. I'm wondering specifically about initial roughing.

These spinning plates to shape the carbide gravers on a drill press.  

Does someone make a precision pre-made spindle which chucks up in a drill press for these plates?

I am prepared to machine a few for myself if no product exists.  But, I don't have a strong desire to re-invent the wheel if there is a great product which exists. 

Currently, I am using 1/2 inch bolts as my spindles, which have had the head cut off them, but the threads are not perfectly concentric with the shaft.  This induces a small amount of "wobble" in the plate as it spins.  I realize some of it may be bearing run-out on the drill press, but that is not the majority of the wobble. 

Two pictures.  One is of what I currently use.  The second is a drawing of what I *could* machine to replace it. 

Thank you,

Lonnie

What’s the best bit & method to accomplish this? 
Thanks!

Doug's hair ornament ivory was colored lightly with an alder cone dye. Natasha has asked questions about this dye, and has the Masatoshi book as a reference, as I do. There is a little written about the dye in the book about Masatoshi and his work. I would like this Forum Topic to explore what we know about yashabushi, what plant source with common and scientific names, collection/time of year, preparation of the dye solution, preparation of the materials prior to dying, and relating any experiences you are willing to share.

Thanks for putting on your thinking caps.

Janel

Thanks, Andrew

I am looking for a method to deep stain ivory and other tooth green. Not just green but verdigris green. The only recipe I have found is from 1710 (Diderot) and in old English and the names and measures are not useable. Or it is very poisonous! Besides, I do not have fresh warm goats milk, hot horse manure available  as required 😳

I do have copper bits and dust. 

On old furniture and items you will see this green dyed ivory. Does anybody know how it can be done in a modern way? I have searched for several years in books and online. It must be dyed deep enough to take sanding! Ordinary stain does not go deep into the “grain”

Thanks,

Kraken Fan #6

I made this awhile back but had to share. 

Bonnie

I am trying to help a member to find where on TCP a particular topic that a member is striving to find in the archives.  He states:

"When I joined I found in the searches that I made,  a set of images that depicted a carving station that was ingenious yet simple.  I can no longer seem to locate said collection of postings.  It was simply a Plastic pallet set upon the top of a Rubbermaid 35ish gallon trash can with a recirc pump set up in the bottom...etcetera."

We would very much appreciate extra help on this search, with our thanks for your efforts!

Janel

Any question or comments all are welcome.  

Does anybody have ideas about what works and what doesn't?

there are quite a few where patterns have been carved into bone. These patterns are mainly just straight lines and curved lines

to add decoration to the piece. Now I started carving as I had a dremel for DIY around the house and wanted to use it more.

So it might not be the right tool, or I simple might not have the right bits or that I am simply not good enough.

I have practiced on bone with no results or technique that I would use on an actual piece. I have also found a guy in NZ

who makes gravers for bone carving ($100) but I am not sure if they are the right tool for what I want. Although I think if I 

did get them I would use them so they wouldn`t be wasted.  

So If anyone can give me any hints on what bits to use, or the how or if gravers would do it I would be grateful.

cheers,

Marcus.