Saturday, November 21, 2009

Recent work


Sphere # 6 - top view, originally uploaded by andiwolfe.

I finally had time to take a photo of my most recent sphere in the series, "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." - Lao Tzu. This one is #6.

You can click on the image to go to my Flickr set that has examples of my recent turnings. Some of the turnings in this album are available through del Mano or Arrowmont. This one is currently in my possession. Inquire if you're interested in adding it to your collection.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi andi -- on the technical side of the carving, would you describe the tools and burs you used to take out the negative material? i'm always seeking better methods for my rough carving.

thanks
sam

Andi Wolfe said...

Sam,

I use the NSK-Z500 for carving,usually with 1/8 inch shank burs and cutters. I use rotary chisels and kutzall burs for the initial removal of wood. Carving is done with a variety of burs ranging from kutzall to stump cutters to diamond burs.

For the rough out, though, kutzall is my main brand of bur.

Anonymous said...

so it appears the addition of the 1/8 collet for z500 is worth the expense?

i'm working off a foredom flexshaft handpiece and my hands are so sore and swollen that i'm looking at the micromotors.

in your travels, have you tried any of the other micromotors other than the nsk?

oh, btw, a fellow carver recommended i try saburr tooth burs over kutzall and i was surprised at the difference.

thanks for your feedback!
happy thanksgiving
c

Andi Wolfe said...

Yes, the 1/8 collet is definitely worth the extra $50 or so. I use the Saburr tooth burs interchangeably with the Kutzall. They are a bit more aggressive, so I have to decide on how fragile the wood is becoming and the likelihood of a catch. As the wood thins out I switch from the Sabuur tooth burs to Kutzall ones.

I've tried the high end Foredom micromotor tools as well as the less expensive ones. The high end one is almost equivalent to the NSK Z500, but the latter wins hands down in my opinion.

I've not used the Foredom flexshaft since purchasing my NSK Z500. I could only work about 1/2 an hour with the flexshaft tool before my hands were in pain. I can use the NSK Z500 for hours on end and not have any hand fatigue at all.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, I've had to stop carving because my hands are so swollen after using the Foredom flexshalf carver; too big, too loud, too much vibration for my small hands.

I say 'unfortunately' but perhaps this is one of those 'lemonade' moments because I just ordered the z-500. Pain can be such a motivator!

Had to sell some tools to pull the funds together, but I am SO looking forward to including this tool on my bench.

Andi Wolfe said...

You'll love it. I have two handpieces. I need to have a back-up on hand for when I have to send one in for repair. I'm thinking about ordering a third handpiece this coming year.