by Richard Coombs » 11 Feb 2016, 23:36
I know its a reply to a long defunct posting.
But Im having a pleasant hour musing through old posts , and enjoyed reading this one.
probably because at the time of its origin , i was still making my heads out of a jigsaw puzzle of cut plywood shapes .
I had not discovered the joy of lime.
Like Miraiker , I now cannot imagine doing heads in anything else ...it is just so lovely to carve and sand.
Also must concur with CvdC , even though he no longer visits this board , so won't know I have agreed with him:
If you are going to spend hours and hours ...days... carving a head and hollowing it out , then 3 , 4 or 5 pounds is money well spent on a block of Lime to make the process so enjoyable ...and the results easier , and probably ( tho not always) better too.
For those just starting out , Its most likely not the money that will be lacking Chris (S) ..but I am in no way underestimating that as a real problem ....but the accessibility of being able to source the Lime at all.
If you have to send away for it , then yes true enough , the delivery costs will make even reasonably priced lump of wood , very much dearer.
Having a woodyard nearby selling 'exotic' woods like Lime and Oak and Jelutong , won't be an option for lots of people.
I am very fortunate that I do drive.
I also have discovered such woodyard about 12 miles away.
They also sell very small offcuts and chunks ( of everything it seems except Lime )
Consequently a nice bit of Oak that has just made noses and chins for 10 Punch and 2 Judy heads , cosy me 5 pounds....less than 25 pence per nose or chin.
Lime is admittedly only buyable in rather large 'beams' ( from this particular place ) ...so the bit I ended up buying was rather costly.
But if I ever use it all I suppose each head will work out at a couple of pounds.
But it is my time I would not know how to put a price on ( partly why I don't make for anyone else)
Also as I could not bear to part with something that has had so much of my time and attention.
To Eek I would say just wade in and give it a go.
Make a Baby or something very simple first.
It is so rewarding , and there are so many ways to 'carve' ...a great many of which dont involve a chisel at all
I don't even owns chisel , and never want to.
A small hobby bandsaw and a black and decker profile ( finger) sander do me !
But the current Punches I am working on are the first time I have used Oak for noses and chins....it all feels very 'grown up'
Richard