A Bag of Tools
Isn't it strange,
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper,
In Sawdust rings,
And common people,
Like you and me,
Are builders for eternity.
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make - --
Ere Life is flown - --
A stumbling block,
Or a stepping stone.
R.L.Sharpe
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper,
In Sawdust rings,
And common people,
Like you and me,
Are builders for eternity.
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make - --
Ere Life is flown - --
A stumbling block,
Or a stepping stone.
R.L.Sharpe
Paint brush selectionMy favorite paint brushes are ones called filberts. Sizes # 2, 4, 6, 8, and a #6 round. I buy cheep ones as they are worn out scrubbing the acrylic washes after one bird and I throw them away.
I have tried Sable and other fiber brushes but I like the synthetic ones best. These I bought at Michels, our Hobby Lobby quit carrying them. Painting TechniqueThe reason I like the filbert is you can turn it on it's edge and paint a thin line. Also by loading it as a dry brush , you can touch it down and lift it and get the rounded edge of small feathers. Careful pratice will yield a life like effect. By touching it down and turning it slightly you can get larger feather edges. The # 6 will load up well to do washes on large areas and blend colors together.
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These are my basic tools used in the Fordom, Black & Decker flex shaft units. I have them hanging on a rod for easy access. I also have a NSK older unit I use and a newer Ram unit. I like all of them for some special applications. Mine are set up so I can switch back and forth with out much trouble.
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My tools of ChoiceAs You can see I am a power carver by choice.
These are the tools I use most. Left to right. (numbers are from The Woodcraft Shop) You can get a full description from their catalog. Go to my Links page for web address. Paper sanding tapered rolled sleave (Guge-sander) #337202 On mandrel # 337203 1"x1/4" dia. drum #318101 120 grit 1/4"x1" bands #318203 Sanding mandrel Kit #319715 using 120 or 150 grit paper that I cut on my own. I wrap the paper on a split Tapered mandrel and attach with about 1" of 1/4" wide masking tape, with a twist at bottom. No glue or rubberbands used. Mandrel #319710 is included in kit. Ruby cutter #308336 Next 4 are diamond cutters #38501, 38502, 38503, 331146 Next 2 are texturing stones #310203, 310207 which I shape using a diamon file. I have also grown fond of using #310204 and shaping it to a small wheel size. Guge Bumper bitsThese are good to dimple wood and especally good to set crees on bird bills along with the ball stylis tools. 3/32 shafts. #312200.
I use these to set the crees on the bills of Kestrels, it leaves a small center bump and looks good. then take the ball stylis and run around it to depress the wood and form the ridge to make it look life like. Also works good to texture reliefe bushes and tree leaves. Do not run them too fast as they will burn and plug up the tool. Sorry the picture does not show the detaqil better, but at the top of the bids is a sample of the bumps. |