Tag Archives: Carl’s For Students

Carl's For Students, Tools Carving

1/4″ Die Grinders

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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 Blueprints, Carl's For Students, Carl's Tools, Tools Sanding

Carl’s Sanding Backup Pads

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Meta Description: Carl likes Sanding Backup Pads (mandrels) that are thin, low profile and HARD. He makes his own out of 1/4" plywood and 1/4" flat head bolts. He attaches firm and soft foam interface pads to make his hard backup pad softer as needed.

https://carlford.us/blog/2023/01/sanding-backup-pads/

Photo: Carl's Sanding Backup Pads (sanding_backup_pads_blue)

Click here for a PRINTABLE version of the above blueprint.

I like Sanding Backup Pads (mandrels) that are thin, low profile and HARD. I add (attach) firm or soft foam interface pads to make them softer as needed.

I don't like thicker pads. Low profile pads are better at getting into the tight space between headstock and bowl. Continue reading Carl’s Sanding Backup Pads →

Carl's Blueprints, Carl's For Students, Carl's Tools, Tools Chucks

Carl’s Jam Chucks

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Meta Description: Carl likes jam chucks made out of 3/4" plywood and PVC pipe couplings. Carl's jam chucks are Drum Chucks that you can be used with or with out vacuum. How to make your own.

https://carlford.us/blog/2023/01/carls-jam-chucks/

Photo: Carl's Jam Chucks (carls_jam_chucks_page1_blue)

Click here for a PRINTABLE version of the above blueprint.

Over the years I have made and used a lot of different jam chucks. This blog entry documents the ones I like best. They are made out of good quality 3/4" plywood and PVC pipe couplings. They work good, are stable and vacuum tight. Continue reading Carl’s Jam Chucks →

Carl's Blueprints, Carl's For Students, Carl's Jigs

Carl’s Hand Held Laser Depth Gauge

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Meta Description: Carl uses his DIY Hand Held Laser Depth Gauge to show the depth of the inside bottom on the outside of vases, hollow forms and bowls. Am I deep enough? Can I go deeper? Have I gone to deep?

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https://carlford.us/blog/2022/12/carls-laser-depth-gauge/

Photo: Carl's Hand Held Laser Depth Gauge (laser_depth_gauge_blue)

Click here for a PRINTABLE PDF version of the above blueprint.

Continue reading Carl’s Hand Held Laser Depth Gauge →
Carl's Articles, Carl's For Students, Carl's Jigs

Banjo-Mounted Hair Dryer

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Meta Description: When I paint turned items on the lathe, I like to dry the paint faster with a hair dryer. Hand-holding the hair dryer would be tedious, so I made a tool post that holds the hair dryer for me.

https://carlford.us/blog/2022/12/banjo-mounted-hair-dryer/

Banjo-Mounted Hair Dryer

Here is my “Banjo-Mounted Hair Dryer” tip that appeared in the “Tips” section on page 17 of the AAW October 2022 “American Woodturner” Journal.
Continue reading Banjo-Mounted Hair Dryer →

Carl's Blueprints, Carl's For Students, Carl's Jigs, Popular, Tools Jigs

Carl’s 4x7x2 Sharpening Jigs

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Meta Description: Carl's "Set It and Forget It" 4x7x2 Sharpening Jigs System makes sharpening woodturning gouges QUICK and EASY! 3 Vari-Grind jigs are converted to 3 CUSTOM sharpening jigs.

https://carlford.us/blog/2022/11/carls-4x7x2-sharpening-jigs/

Photo: 4x7x2 Sharpening Jigs System - Set It & Forget It (4x7x2_jigs_page0_blue)

Click here for a PRINTABLE version of the above blueprints.

Students come to my studio and fall in love with my quick and easy grinding jigs. Over the years I have struggled with how can students make there own version of my grinding jigs. This is my solution to the problem. Continue reading Carl’s 4x7x2 Sharpening Jigs →