I hope to some day be able to attend your school in person. Your online wood carving school is excellent. Thanks for sharing your talent and helping me improve mine.
So Frank does not use glue to prevent the pieces connected together on this particular project from potentially coming apart at some point in the future? Are they that tight?
Looking at your drawings on the piece that you are about to carve makes me wonder, do you draw these designs free-hand, using someone else's drawings, or even a combination of both? While I am beginning to carve wood like you and Grinling Gibbons, I am not an artist from a free-hand drawing perspective. I'm more of what I like to call myself: a trained monkey; totally using someone else's patterns to initiate or to begin creating the projects I attempt to do.
Alexander, a few questions I have keep forgetting to ask: Where do you and Frank set up your woodshops? A separate building? A dedicated room in your house such as the basement or bedroom, etc? And what are the measurements of this space? TY for any feedback.
I have this workbench. I also have the cast iron legs. I like them both and I use it alot. I even use it as a drafting table when drawing. I made a larger flat top that attaches on top of the wooden top when I am drawing and take that top off when carving. That workbench is one of my favorite tools in my shop. I wonder why Veritas quit making this great bench. I really love the big heavy spring in the center.
Do you prefer to use the WorkShop over the Tormek? If so why? Is it because it is just more portable, or simply less setup which makes it somewhat more user friendly?
In the workshop, tools all around, A woodcarver’s heart is where dreams are found. But a puzzle arises, a tricky little snare, What to carve next? Oh, it’s hard to declare! A block of wood waits, so pure and so bright, Ideas dance lightly, like stars in the night. But once I decide, and the carving begins, It feels like the journey is where the fun spins. Yet every small detail pulls me back in, I tinker and twist, and I just can’t give in. Is it finished? I wonder, though time slips away, The joy of creation just leads me to play. So here in my haven, with shavings and dust, I carve out my visions, in wood I trust. Though deciding is tricky, and finishing’s tough, Each piece tells a story, and that’s more than enough!
Thanks for understanding that most wood carvers are not able buy the better tools! I actually hand grind as you said to the cheaper tools to work as you do! Great information for us!
Hello Alexander I would to get information on how to purchase some of the tools you mentioned on another one of your episodes. The Russian gouges and chisels. Let know how that would be possible. I love your work and would like to take a course with you some time soon. My name is Jose Lopez thank you so much.
True, old-world quality craftsmanship -- and an impressive, highly developed sense of design. Gorgeous work, very impressive. I'll look for future videos and, even as an experienced sculpture myself, expect I'll be taking some of your courses just to see some of your hand tool techniques. Do you offer any one-on-one lessons or consultation for someone who wants to learn certain skills to fill in some gaps in my craft?
Do you have a favorite chisel sharpening system (machine or wetstones; one that you prefer to use the most? Or does it depend on what chisel you are sharpening? I currently have a Tormek system with several different grit disk wheels, and I am considering to purchase a Work Sharp Benchtop woodworking tool sharpener system when I want to really focus carving instead of spending time setting up the Tormek. But I'm concerned not only about changing the temper of the metal, but the Work Sharp's sharpening angles being accurate. Anyway, do you have a Fav or does it depend......?
"the best....in my opinion". Seldom seen on RU-vid. First time here, but I appreciate your humility especially seeing how talented you are. Subscribed, liked, etc!
I worked it out Sir. On the Tools for Working Wood site I was looking at Ashley Illes and their #7 fishtail goes from 12mm to 15mm. After watching the video again I realized you were using a Pheil 7F-14mm and I found it on the Wood Craft website. So my starter set will be Ashley Illes 11-3mm, 11-12mm, Pheil 7F-14mm, Pfeil #16-6mm Parting tool, Pheil #12 Carving Knife, and a polyurethane covered mallet. About $255 altogether before the government adds the tax.😅 Thank you for your patience and your videos.
Thank you. I spent a message via the website about the Ashley Illes tools. The vendors in the states appear to sell Gouges based on standard measurements rather than metric.
