The first step in carving out the table legs I began with the side scrolls and front flutes at the bottom of the leg. Before I start carving I always hone or sharpen any knife I will be using that have any small chips in the edge. This will give you a nice clean smooth cut when carving. For the table legs I used Genuine Mahogany it is a great carving wood and I think it has a cleaner cut than basswood because of it’s tight grain.
To layout the legs I made a drawing template out of a poster board which is a thicker piece of paper for the pencil to follow when transferring it to the Mahogany. I used a cutting mat and scalpel to cut out the side and front templates. Using a template is an important step this will insure that all four table legs will match up to each other.
Thank you for looking, and happy woodworking.
Drawing the carving lines in with a pencil and template.
Completion of the pencil lines, ready for carving.
Stab cutting into the scroll lines, using a mallet to tap the knife into the wood about 1/8” deep. Use different carving knifes to match up to the radius.
Using a 12mm # 3 Fishtail carving knife to Relief cut up to the stab cut. Keep repeating these two steps, “Stab & Relief” cutting. Leaving the center of the scroll the highest point and carving deeper as you move outward around the scroll.
Matching up your knifes to the scroll, for carving in a reveal around the edge of the scroll.
Using a 20mm #2 carving gouge to flaten up to the end of the scroll.
Using a 18mm #18 Carving gouge to carve in the flutes into the face.
Using a 7mm #8a spoon gouge to carve in the lower flutes.
Using a 15mm #9 carving gouge to carve in the section of the flutes.
Stab cutting the side profile on the side of the leg.
Relief cutting out the sides.
Cleaning up the sides.
Putting a radius on the edges of the flutes. Using the carving knife upside down.
Putting a radius on the lower section of leg.
Smooth out the carving marks by using different files
The finished Lower section of one table leg.
-- Dennis Zongker
23 comments so far
tenontim
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2129 posts in 1912 days
#1 posted 121 days ago
This is great, Dennis. One of these days, I’ll get the carving tools (that you recommended to me a couple of years ago) out of the box and start making some shavings. Don’t think I’ll ever get to this level. Thanks for the instructional post.
-- Tim-- http://www.tmuli.com
Jimthecarver
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1049 posts in 1953 days
#2 posted 121 days ago
As you already know….simply beautiful.
Thanks for allowing us to watch your progress.
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
DocSavage45
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2870 posts in 1010 days
#3 posted 121 days ago
Nicely done. Sharp tools LOL!
-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher
BTimmons
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#4 posted 121 days ago
That is exquisite.
-- Brian in Arlington, TX - Laziness is the foundation of efficiency.
shipwright
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3384 posts in 966 days
#5 posted 121 days ago
You have me wanting to set up a leg and follow along Dennis.
Your clear photos and instructions make me think I may be able to do it.
Great teaching blog. Thank you.
I’m following intently.
-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/
eddie
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4581 posts in 782 days
#6 posted 121 days ago
thanks Dennis ,been a admirer of your for a while ever sense i saw that chess table and chairs you built look forward to seeing the rest , a master of this craft is always good to watch ,thanks for sharing
-- Jesus Is Alright with me
derosa
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1471 posts in 1004 days
#7 posted 121 days ago
Agree with paul, your use of pictures and description makes it feel like I could easily follow along.
-- --Rev. Russ in NY-- A posse ad esse
Grumpy
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17839 posts in 2019 days
#8 posted 121 days ago
That’s a great insight into carving. Thanks Dennis
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Billp
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716 posts in 2368 days
#9 posted 121 days ago
Dennis your talent is only exceeded by your willingness to share , you are an inspiration to all.
-- Billp
a1Jim
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87068 posts in 1745 days
#10 posted 121 days ago
Super blog Dennis.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
MShort
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1374 posts in 1586 days
#11 posted 121 days ago
Awesome pictorial. Thanks for taking all the time to put this together. It is very enjoyable to see the project evolve.
-- Mike, Missouri --- “A positive life can not happen with a negative mind.” ---
daltxguy
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1323 posts in 2082 days
#12 posted 121 days ago
Hey, that looks easy! Yeah, right! I was holding my breath before looking at each picture.
I’ve tried a bit of carving and I have to stick to the rustic look to make it look liked my missed strokes were intentional!
Those are some steady hands, good eyes and sharp tools!
-- If you can't joint it, bead it!
tinnman65
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897 posts in 1582 days
#13 posted 121 days ago
I agree you do make it look easy, a sign of a good instructor. I really look forward to seeing more.
-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams
Karson
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34370 posts in 2568 days
#14 posted 121 days ago
Wow. Too bad we didn’t have it as a video.
Great job.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Dale J Struhar Sr
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278 posts in 1298 days
#15 posted 121 days ago
Great job Dennis thanks for the lessons.
-- Dale, Ohio
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