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The first segment on last nights HGTV's "Modern Masters" featured a woodcarver. He first roughed out his carving with a router, he then brushed kerosene on the wood to soften it and lubricate his chisel. Is this commonly done?
-------------------- Ralph Y Thorne Jr Fine Signs & Designs Snellville, GA ralph@finesigns.us Posts: 21 | From: Snellville, GA | Registered: Oct 2001
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ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................Nope! If he's carving so fast that he needs lubrication, then he should follow Glens lead! Actually, (seriously), I would use water or just carve the wood when it's green...no additional water necessary and pretty fire proof too. No kidding....honest...on my honor as a ..... Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun! On Mars....
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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I was wondering about that as well last night. I am aware of stone and glass cutters using kerosene. I have even used it in the past back in my fabrications days in the racing industry. I did see one “old time” carver use kero in conjunction with his some of his sharpening stones, but not direct on the wood.
Yes its flammable, but classified as a fuel oil, it offers a much higher flash point then gasoline. Since it was mentioned during the show about the odor, I believe it’s safe to say he is not using the odorless kerosene that is available. (Or at least it use to be available) I’d be curious if anyone that prefers using such a method has tried Shell Oil’s “Pella* A” product. I believe this product will accomplish the same items he is probably using the kerosene for, but without a smell, flashpoint, or carcinogenic fear.
I have contacted a few former featured guests from the show. Most have been very willing to talk about the why’s, what’s, and how’s of their featured project and craft in general. I’ve even visited with one on a recent trip. Here are the “vitals” on Jorge from the show last night if you wish to contact him and ask anything in particular “direct” from the source.
-------------------- Bob Gilliland InKnowVative Communications Harrisburg PA, USA
"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." Benjamin Franklin Posts: 642 | From: Harrisburg, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Totally off topic, but welcome to the board! I see you're in Snellville! I'm in Lawrenceville. Maybe we can do a mini-meet of sorts and let you meet some local sign folk.
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Glenn, Everybody knows that so long as you keep the oxygin and hydrogin wet it ain't a problem. I didn't see the show..I don't get Home And Garden TV out here in the country....I searched for Jorge Sanchez and had the oppertunity to scroll 109,000 sites...I'll pass. Went to Home And Garden TV web site and found a picture of him and a piece of his work. I can see where the router comes in....I use one too but differently. The kero part dosen't make sense to me. He's pushing hardend steel through a dried vegitable...where is the friction? There is resistance, but that is overcome with the tools edge. With a wedge, not oil. I've been teaching carving in wet wood for over 25 years (not in this industry,for obvious reasons). When the wood fibers are totally saturated with moisture, (I suppose kero will do) you can carve in just about any direction with ease..........IF you have an increadbly sharp edge. If you don't, it will be like carving a sponge. And the oil residue....my bet is he uses an oil finish...rub on type. What would you clear it with? For use on a sign. How would this technique work on HDU? Now that stuff is a little abrasive. Ah, the urban legends, what would we do without them??????? Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun! On Mars!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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Hi all...Joe ,have seen your work and is darn fine...but for most part (and for folks here) I'd stay clear of both kerosene and the wet woods. Finishing in either case would be a nightmare! Adecent sharp tool and the proper woods shouldn't require any of these concoctions.
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Back about 8 or 10 years ago, we had an Italian immigrant working for us. According to him, his father was a master woodcarver.
Anyhooo....he told me that the purpose of using vegetable oil when carving was to provide a cleaner cut when carving certain types of wood. We were carving some cypress at that time. If anyone has ever tried it, cypress is not the best choice for carving.
He applied the oil only after he had done the roughing in. The oil did seem to allow him to get a much cleaner, sharper cut on his finish strokes.
I'm no where near being any sort of a carver, but I could see and feel a difference when I used the oil on the cypress and redwood.
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Thanks for all the replies! If you haven't seen "Modern Masters", your missing a really good show. It's kinda like going to Letterhead meet and watching a master like George Perkins effortlessly stripe a panel or Timi create a work of art from an oil drum. Really cool!
-------------------- Ralph Y Thorne Jr Fine Signs & Designs Snellville, GA ralph@finesigns.us Posts: 21 | From: Snellville, GA | Registered: Oct 2001
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This is all very interesting. I couldn't get into my carving class til fall....so it is fun to hear about this stuff.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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