Category Archives: Tools Carving

Carl's For Students, Tools Carving

Rotary V-Cutter (V-Tool Carving Chisel)

(Modified: )
Meta

Meta Description: Carl's new Rotary Carbide V-Cutter is a real game changer. It is like 10 times faster than a good old hand held V-tool or a V-tool in a reciprocating power carver. It is easy to use and control.

https://carlford.us/blog/2023/08/rotary-v-cutter/

Photo: Rotary V-Cutter (rotary_v_tool_snap_02)

In January of 2023, I purchased a Rotary Carbide V-Cutter. It is a real game changer. It is like 10 times faster than a good old hand held V-tool or a V-tool in a reciprocating power carver. It is easy to use and control.

It is great for cutting straight lines or gentle curves. However, tight curves are better done with a good old V-tool.

Continue reading Rotary V-Cutter (V-Tool Carving Chisel) →
Tools Carving

Cleaning Power Carving Burs

(Modified: )
Meta

Meta Description: Carl uses CMT Formula 2050 Bland and Bit Cleaner to clean my power carving burs. It works good!

https://carlford.us/blog/2023/05/cleaning-power-carving-burs/

Photo 1: Cleaning Power Carving Burs

I use CMT Formula 2050 Blade and Bit Cleaner to clean my power carving burs. It works good! I use the same stuff to clean my table saw blades. It also does a great job on them.
Continue reading Cleaning Power Carving Burs →

Carl's For Students, Tools Carving

1/4″ Die Grinders

(Modified: )
Meta

Meta Description: 1/4" Die Grinders that Carl owns and recommends. Big 1/4" shaft carving burs work best in an electric die grinder.

https://carlford.us/blog/2023/04/1-4-die-grinders/
Photo: 1/4″ Die Grinders 1 Many of the bigger carving burs have a 1/4″ shank on the bur. Thus they will not fit in a Dremel style tool with a 1/8″ collet chuck. I recommend one of the following 1/4″ die grinders. Continue reading 1/4″ Die Grinders →
Carl's For Students, Carl's Jigs, Tools Carving

Carl’s Index Wheels – How To Use

(Modified: )
Meta

Meta Description: Carl shows how he sketches a pattern and replicates it using his Al Stirt style index wheels. Al Stirt's idea and method. Carl's enhanced index wheels.

1 Comment
https://carlford.us/blog/2022/09/carls-index-wheels-how-to-use/
Photo: Carl’s Index Wheels – How To Use 1

This is the second of two blog entries. The first blog entry covers how to make “Carl’s Index Wheels”. The second blog entry covers how to use “Carl’s Index Wheels”.

I learned everything in both blog entries, a long time ago, in a week long class with Al Stirt at the “Center for Furniture Craftsmanship” in Maine. Al Stirt’s idea and method. My enhanced index wheels. Continue reading Carl’s Index Wheels – How To Use →

Carl's For Students, Carl's Jigs, Tools Carving

Carl’s Index Wheels – How to Make

(Modified: )
Meta

Meta Description: How to print and make Carl's enhanced Al Stirt style index wheels. Carl's index wheels have lots of markings that make them easy to use. Red dots on every other division, etc. Red, green, blue, etc highlights on 8", 9", 10", etc diameter circles.

https://carlford.us/blog/2022/09/carls-index-wheels-how-to-make/
Photo: Carl’s Index Wheels – How to Make 1

This is the first of two blog entries. The first blog entry covers how to make “Carl’s Index Wheels”. The second blog entry covers how to use “Carl’s Index Wheels”. You may want to read the second blog entry first. After you see how the index wheels are used you may decide that you want to make your own.

I learned everything in both blog entries, a long time ago, in a week long class with Al Stirt at the “Center for Furniture Craftsmanship” in Maine. Al Stirt’s idea and method. My enhanced index wheels. Continue reading Carl’s Index Wheels – How to Make →

Tools Carving

Awesome Big Carving Burs

(Modified: )
Meta

Meta Description: Carl highly recommends BIG 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" diameter head burs made and sold by McMaster-Carr for surface decoration of woodturnings. They run absolutely dead true at high speed and they do not create a lot of tear out.

1 Comment
https://carlford.us/blog/2022/09/big-carving-burs/
Photo: Awesome Big Carving Burs 1 I went on a quest to find some good BIG carving burs after watching Andrew Daniels (FromASeed) on YouTube and Instagram. I gave up after not finding anything that looked good.

Then one day I was ordering some steel tubing from McMaster-Carr and checked out their carving burs. The price was more than I would have liked. But, McMaster does not sell cheap crap. So, I tried a couple of them and I was HOOKED.

I highly recommend the McMaster burs shown below. They are awesome. They run absolutely dead true at high speed and they do not create a lot of tear out. Continue reading Awesome Big Carving Burs →