Trying - To Get My Hands/Head Back Into It

[Bel007]

Wow Bernie. Those are some tight rings.  Watching, reading, and learning....

[ber643]

That's what's it's all about, isn't it Bel? I enjoy those parts as much as the end result - almost    :D .

[ber643]

I swear, I think this stave is trying it's best to turn me into a crazy old man - wait a minute, I'm already one of those    :D

Seriously though, no mater what I do, I don't make much progress. I've even tried scraping with a single-edged razor blade and very little pressure. I pick out, and go at, an "Island" and just about the time it looks like it might be going to disappear, another striation, whorl, or island will show up where it was. I fear that if I get too aggressive I will soon find myself out of the desirable thin rings, and into the wider rings (seen on the "End" pics earlier). That might be a suitable solution too but it will not leave me very much for tillering, and leaving wood around knots on the belly, etc. What really gets to me is just that I can't seem to clear this back up. It's really interesting looking but I know it's not "right" - yet!  Oh well, never say die - just letting y'all know I'm still gnawing away at this "lovely"        

[Art B]

Don't know what to tell you Bernie! Has Ruddy had the chance to look it over? Any chance it's back  can be flattened and backed? Art

[ber643]

Ruddy and I do plan to get together over it again some time this week, if possible. We were going to Sat. but other things came up. Backing is a possibility but not something I particularly want to do to it, except perhaps as a last resort. Just not my cup of tea right now. I was mostly just letting folks now where "she and I" stand at this point - and venting a little, I guess - LOL. Thanks for looking anyhow.

[ber643]

Friend Ruddy eyeballin' my troublesome stave in his shop and encouraging an "island" to disappear using a goose-neck cabinet scraper, today:

 

Yep, I tooled up to Ruddy's this afternoon and we put our heads together to help each other solve problems of frustrations with our chosen "fun-time" hobbies - you all know how that goes, I'm sure         What would we do without friends who are willing to help?

I solved some troubles he was having with using a Flemish Twist string jig to make strings for his bows, and he helped me see better (with his eyes) that I'm not really going crazy - there really are a bazillion various level islands of rings showing up on the back of my (hopeful) bow. He assured me he is seeing the same thing I am but much clearer, and more sensibly, with his better eyesight. I wasn't sure enough about what I thought I was seeing to be sure exactly what it was and/or how to make it get any better. I think, with his help I now have a better handle on it and may be able to work it - slow, easy and with cautious patience -   :D  
 
If not, like I told Ruddy, I will crank up the riding mower, shave the back off the stubborn stave, and see how it likes them jelly beans -       (not really     :D  )

While Ruddy layed out his new String Jig, I followed his example and was able to do a little cleaning up on the stave back also - we only did a little but it's a start, and something i will attempt to continue.

[Art B]

My eyes are my biggest handicap also Bernie. Why, once upon a time I could split a pencil mark right down the center with a chainsaw    . Now I can't even get the saw started  :(  .

Really nice to have good help when you need it. Good on Ruddy! You ought to buy that boy a whole case of bee.......ah, jelly beans    !

[stringstretcher]

What pencil mark          

[Art B]

Oh no! Memory gone along with eyesight too!!!     ...........Art

[ber643]

LOL - y'all are right, all the way around. What were we talking about now    :confused:  Oh yeh, Ruddy's brown pencil holder on his workbench there - kinda neat, the way it's made to look like a bottle, huh?

[broketooth]

bernie, im always glad to help. i made the rest of the string jig up today. i even attempted a string. all i can say is          

[ber643]

You'll get it, bud. The thing to do though, since we are both available, and both have the "stuff", is to make one (together) each on our own jig at the same time, a step at a time. You just a bit after me (you know, it's  known as demonstration/application type instruction), and after that it'll all fall in place for you (easier with each one you do). We'll get together again (real soon) and do that. Gotta go to J'ville and Lejeune tomorrow though, for prescriptions, etc.

BTW - I ordered a (3) set of the thin Cabinet Scrapers from 3 rivers today, to beef up my selections. They should be here early next week, judging from past service.

[Art B]

Bernie, if you ever need something a little easier on the ol' hands look into the wood spoon carving tool. Made mine myself, added a much longer handle for more leverage..........Art

[ber643]

My hands do tend to cramp when using the cabinet scrapers - (why I had to give up knapping too). I'll have to see if i can find something on that and take a look-see. Thanks, Art.

Would this be what you refer to?

   

Blade Blank:

   

(For info, not inexpensive, what good tools are; just the blank blade runs 30 dollars where I found these pics - knife runs close to 50 to 75. Sure looks like it would be a handy tool to have around though.)

[Art B]

That's it Bernie. Put a 12-14" handle on it and then you really have a tool that's easy to use. Made mine from a small file and added a little more twist to the blade.......Art

[ber643]

I believe it, Art but you are "craftier" than I - LOL. I can handle the handle (pun intended) part OK but I'm not much at working steel. I'll keep my eyes open at the "sales" I haunt, and, if I don't run across one, I'll break down and order one of those pretty blanks. Really looks neat (and useful).

[PEARL DRUMS]

I use the exact same pencil holder Rudy does Bernie!

[ber643]

LOL - There's a lot of those going around these days, P D    

[broketooth]

bernie, you aint givin away my secrets to success are ya   :D

[ber643]

LOL - Who, me?    :D