Woodcarving Safety Idea

  Yesterday my wife and I were in a 'big box store' looking for a replacement florescent lighting tube.  We didn't get one, it would seem the size and type we need are back ordered. (deep sigh). However I was able to buy two pairs of workshop gloves for $1.00 each. 

 Gloves like these are usually for painting, staining and mucking about in the garden. Why did I buy them, because I modify gloves like this as safety equipment when wood carving.

 You can see my left, or holding glove has leather guards on the thumb and fore finger, while the right thumb is protected.  The leather finger tips are something I picked up a few years ago but didn't like them initially. The guards seemed to be made for someone with cartoonishly  large hands.  After a while I thought of this solution.  I glue the guards onto gloves like this with rubber cement and it lasts for hours and hours of carving.

 The gloves this pair are replacing were worn out, the elastic in the cuffs was done and I had duct tape re-enforcing holes where knuckles were peaking out.  I also use these gloves when I have small pieces to form on the belt or disk sander and occasionally... oops, you know the drill if you use a bench top sander.  

  I find that this a a super cost effective way to make my workshop experience safer and less stressful.

cheers ianw

a pretty winter picture

 

New Year, old projects.

   Often I start small projects either as a simple distraction or a prototype.  Sitting on the edge of my work space were two such projects.

 This box was built ages ago and has sat around, for a while filled with cough drops. I finally finished it.  It now has an incised and painted top. It will not hold cough candies and better than before, but now it looks to be a finished project.  I have a small set of basic palm style carving chisels that were used to shape the pansy. I've used these chisels from early in my wood working days to add a little something... I used shallow gauges because they are easier to sharpen and palm chisels I find them easier to control.

  Another little project that sat staring at me for months and months was a sea serpent.

  Head, tail and one hump were finished months ago.  Yesterday I polished off the other hump, then waxed and polished the whole thing.  This guy was inspired by a neighbour's lawn ornament. I have no idea what kind of wood this is, it is fairly hard and close grained. 

  One of the first tools I bought for my original shop was a scroll saw.

This is the photo showing the pattern, the one I made got sent away before I took a photo.

  This went to a young member of the extended family.  I made lots of these easy puzzles 9-10 years ago for Grand kids.  I enjoy scroll saw work though I never became truly expert.  Check out some of these projects. I am always impressed by the results some people can get with talent and practise.

  And, while I was waiting for glue to dry:

another spoon, for loose tea.  I think is is cedar, it was very, very dry and so not really  good wood for carving, but it was truly just a thing to do while I was listening to a pod cast. 

  It is nice to clear away things that have drifted to the margins.  I have some more cleaning and organizing to do, no doubt I will be reminded of others things to finish.

  Stay Warm,

cheers ianw