Architectural
Carving
Techniques for Power & Hand Tools
by
Mike Burton
Softcover
205 x 255mm
224pp
Published by Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., New York USA
R.R.P.$34.90
ISBN 0-8069-6915-6
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 117
This is a practical book about the practice of carving decorations on an architectural scale. It's about the tools employed and the physical processes involved in this kind of carving.
About half the book is devoted to generalities such as hand and power tools, sharpening, layout and finishing as well as the basics of the main three forms of carving. The rest is a handbook offering guidance in a number of representative projects - the capitals for a column, panels of a door, an entire door casing and a set of towel bars.
Perhaps surprisingly, this is also a book that is worth reading for its insights into the way in which the author thinks about his work. Few readers could resist being charmed by Mike Burton's amusing and down to earth manner. For example, he explains that the place in which he works is referred to as his studio and his customers are referred to as clients. This, he says, comes from a time when he had to decide between either increased production and lower prices, or upgrading both his product and his customers.
'We determined', he remarks, 'that people who work in 'studios' make more money than those who work in shops...'.
A few comments early in the Introduction define the kind of reader for whom the book is intended:
'Clients who seek the work of the individual carver may be few but there are enough of them to keep one busy executing commissioned works. Carving architectural embellishments is not something that someone usually does as a hobby. You could set out to decorate your own home or office, but usually you will find yourself working professionally for others'.
In addition to a wide range of other relevant topics, the first chapter on Tools, Materials and Equipment contains instructions for making an excellent variable-height workbench. Curiously, there is no drawing for this, but the photos suffice. While it is a minor criticism, it might be added that the relatively few drawings in the book are not up to the standard of the numerous high quality photographs.
The second and third chapters describe the Hand and Power Carving Tools which the author favours. The tools illustrating these chapters are, of course, from the author's own collection and some show the truth of his statement that he takes a pragmatic approach to tooling - judging them by how effectively they work, rather than what they look like.
Tool Sharpening covers ground that will be familiar to many woodworkers though with some interesting and useful tips borne of the author's long experience.
The chapter on Wood will be of only limited use to Australian readers. It starts with the troubling statement that: 'technically speaking, a hardwood is any wood that comes from a deciduous tree'. (Maybe it was the editor's day off.) As you might expect, it speaks for the rest about Northern Hemisphere and mainly North American timbers.
The following two chapters, Working with Patterns, Photography and Models and Layout of Special Shapes, contain the sort of information and guidance only people well-versed in their craft are able to give. Then, after some notes on Safety, the author investigates the principal forms of carving: Incised, Relief and Carving in the Round. A chapter on Finishing for Maximum Effect completes the general part of the book.
The project section of the book occupies about 110 very well illustrated pages which should appeal to everyone from the novice to the accomplished woodcarver.
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
Introduction
Part 1 Woodcarving Tools, Materials & Equipment
The
Woodcarving Studio & its Fixtures
Holding Fixtures
A Woodcarver's
Bench
Essential
Woodcarving Hand Tools
Chisels, Gouges, etc.
Specialty Tools
Acquiring Carving Tools
Numbering
Handles
Knives
Texturing
Tools
Mallets
Rasps, RifHers & So Forth
Sanding Devices
Measuring
Devices
Handy to Have
Useful
Power Tools
Band Saws
Routers
Burrs & Tools to Drive Them
Electrically Powered Chisels
Pneumatically Powered Chisels
Angle Grinders
Power Sanders
Sharpening
Woodcarving Tools
Factors That Affect Tool Sharpness
Bevels & Cutting
Angles
Testing for Sharpness
Tool Shape
Stones & Other Sharpening
Devices
Sharpening a New V Tool
Sharpening Steel Rasps, Rifflers, Files
& Burrs
Power Sharpening
Woods
For Carving
Hardwoods
Softwoods
Notes on Gluing
Part 2 Layout, Carving & Finishing Techniques
Working
With Patterns, Photography & Models
Working with Patterns
Working
with Photography
Working with Models
Layout
Of Special Shapes
Polygons
Ovals
Spirals & Volutes
Spiral Reeds
Safety
Precautions For Woodcarvers
Safety
Hand Position
Incised
Carving
Chip Carving
Triangular Designs
Designs with Curves
A Stylized Sunflower
Relief
Carving
Applied Carving
Carving
In The Round
Carving Spiral Reeds
Holding the Form
Finishing
For Maximum Effect
Preparation
Patching
Sanding
Staining
Topcoats
Glaze
Strikeout
A Combination of Glaze & Strikeout
Part 3 Architectural Carving With Power & Hand Tools
Set
Of Towel Bars Project
Layout
Parting the Twist
Carving the Twist
Carving the Leaf
Carving the Bar
Preparing the Plugs
Spiral
Shelf Supports Project
Layout & Preliminary Steps
Pair
Of Carved Panels Project
Developing the Pattern
Setting-In the Design
Patching
Cleaning Up What the Router Left
Working the Stems
Working the Leaves
Working the Flowers & Buds
Texturing the Ground
Pair
Of Column Capitals Project
Initial Work
Working with the Patterns
Setting In the Volute & Shaping the Blank
Door
With Carved Panels Project
Preparing the Sash
Preparing the Panels
Unusual
Door Casing Project
The Faces
The Plinth Blocks
The Casing
Part 4 Useful Tools & Equipment You Can Build
Power
Strop & Sharpening Station
The Base
The Strop Wheel
An Additional
Accessory
The Machine in Use
Holding
Fixtures
For Boards & Planks on Edge
For Panels
For Miscellaneous
Rotating
Devices
A Rotating Vise
A Deluxe Rotating Vise
Another Rotating
Device
Metric Equivalents
Index