Basswood carving

Tupelo doesn't fuzz up as bad as basswood. Most places that sell basswood
also sell tupelo.


"Chris Gray" wrote in message
. 150.13...
"Andrew Werby" wrote in
.net:

"Chris Gray" wrote in message
. 150.14...
I've been stricken with the carving bug, and I've tried a number of
different woods for relief carving. Basswood is wonderful to work
with, but I keep having trouble with the surface of my finished
pieces. After sanding, it seems to have a rougher surface than when
I started. I've tried a variety of grades, but I wonder if it's just
an inherent property of the wood. Does anyone have any tips for
getting that "just carved" finish over an entire intricate basswood
carving, or should I just switch to a different wood?

Thanks
Chris
punmaster2000 at nospam dot yahoo dot com
remove nospam from email

[If you're looking for a "just-carved" surface look, then don't sand
it. Use sharp tools to cut it, and if you need to smooth a surface use
a scraper. Anytime you sand wood you will roughen it up to some
extent; then it's a matter of using finer and finer grits to get the
roughness down to an acceptable level. If you are going this route, it
helps to raise the grain before finish sanding. Do it by sponging it
with water or alcohol. This will cause patches of wood fibers that
were lying down at the surface to rise up, where your sandpaper can
rub them off. If you do this initially, then they won't rise up when
hit with the wet finish compounds later on.]

Andrew Werby
www.unitedartworks.com

Thanks for the suggestions.

Chris

I find that tupelo does not respond to cross grain cuts as well as basswood
or any number of hard woods.

Fred
"bubba" wrote in message
...
Tupelo doesn't fuzz up as bad as basswood. Most places that sell basswood
also sell tupelo.


"Chris Gray" wrote in message
. 150.13...
"Andrew Werby" wrote in
.net:

"Chris Gray" wrote in message
. 150.14...
I've been stricken with the carving bug, and I've tried a number of
different woods for relief carving. Basswood is wonderful to work
with, but I keep having trouble with the surface of my finished
pieces. After sanding, it seems to have a rougher surface than when
I started. I've tried a variety of grades, but I wonder if it's just
an inherent property of the wood. Does anyone have any tips for
getting that "just carved" finish over an entire intricate basswood
carving, or should I just switch to a different wood?

Thanks
Chris
punmaster2000 at nospam dot yahoo dot com
remove nospam from email

[If you're looking for a "just-carved" surface look, then don't sand
it. Use sharp tools to cut it, and if you need to smooth a surface use
a scraper. Anytime you sand wood you will roughen it up to some
extent; then it's a matter of using finer and finer grits to get the
roughness down to an acceptable level. If you are going this route, it
helps to raise the grain before finish sanding. Do it by sponging it
with water or alcohol. This will cause patches of wood fibers that
were lying down at the surface to rise up, where your sandpaper can
rub them off. If you do this initially, then they won't rise up when
hit with the wet finish compounds later on.]

Andrew Werby
www.unitedartworks.com

Thanks for the suggestions.

Chris