Creative Woodworks & crafts 1998-07, страница 39

July, 1998

by Ivan Whillock

SUPPLIES

Wood: hardwood of choice—8" x 8"; scrap wood—

9" x 9" Tools: bai d or scroll saw O.rvhg tools: No. 3-6rnm, No. 3-16mm, No. 5-12mm, No. 5-25mm, No. 7-12mm, and No. 9-20mm gouge; carver's background pu> i: ±> Carver's mallet Carbon transfer paper Sf»arp peocil Water soluble glue Brown paper b.ig Clomps Wood sealer Walnut stain S.'itin finis* i vart is*-

INSTRUCTIONS

Imitated and duplicated

The type of carving that imitates the shapes of the metal straps commonly found on old trunks and pieces of furniture is called strapping. It is often carved on the seats of stools, the backs of chairs or on furniture where a raised carving would be impractical.

The design here is typical of that which would be carved on a stool, where it should be decorative but with no protruding edges. Oak, cherry, walnut or any furniture wood works well for this project. For the piece shown, however, I used butternut. It's a fine carving wood, but is less stable than most furniture stock. This design is tool specific; that is, the straight lines, arcs, and circles are made with plunge cuts from specific tools.

To create the pattern, a circle is divided into quarters. A single element, consisting of a strap and a half strap, is used repeatedly. The element, shown in Drawing No. 1, is traced onto the pattern, turned over and traced upside-down, and turned over again until it is duplicated eight times. It is the repetition and intertwining of that simple element that creates the visual interest.

Step 1. With a scroll saw or band saw, cut out an 8"-Dia. circle. Divide the circle into quarters, which will serve as the keys to align the pattern onto the circle. Trace the pattern, found in Full Size Pattern No. 1, onto the carving stock. Attach the brown paper bag onto the back of the carving with water soluble glue, then glue this assembly onto a piece of scrap wood large enough to leave an edge for clamping.