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The great Lumberjocks shoe challenge

114K views 390 replies 63 participants last post by  JoeLyddon 
#1 ·
Introduction

As a former grade school and dance teacher, I think I was cut out for motivating people to recognize their strengths. And as a carver who lives on his own creations, I have had to motivate and challenge myself on a daily basis. Over the years, I have developed my skills by recreating everyday objects - in my case, shoes. Shoes and boots of every kind - skates, cowboy boots, winter boots, running shoes…and the list goes on. (in real life I also have a shoe fetish.) I carved every shoe I ever wanted as a child or attached to certain sports that I always wished I could've played.





It was twenty years ago that I sent Dremel, this shoe and sock. In return, they sent me their latest Dremel model, which I have and running to this very day.



I have been asked by some ambitious and courageous LJ's to start a follow-along shoe challenge blog, which I will begin on October 1st. As I am having to film my carving techniques for Dremel, I thought I might as well work on a little shoe for that project as well. Here are the details.

The Challenge

Believe it or not, participation does not require talent or skill. It does, however, require the power of observation! As much as I think I observe life at it's utmost, it is now apparent as I start painting pictures, how much is before me that I still do not see. If you are a carver or a budding carver or just someone who likes to do different things in wood, I believe your ability to perfect things afterwards will be better.

The Tools

My world is power. To make things easier for you, you should have a power rotary tool and flexible hand shaft. I use a Dremel but not the top of the line model - I use the 100. They all go around 25,000 rpm's anyways so the basic difference between them is the variable speeds. Since you want the full speed all the time while carving, I'd say that the basic model is quite adequate. You can spend more, it's up to you in that department.

I'm showing the bits that will help you get the job done the fastest. Three are (well worn) rough carbide bits and one is just a sanding mandrel. They are all available at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Rona - stores similar. I picked up the diamond set from Rocklers for a very cheap price. I actually bought the four sets with different grades of diamonds but the coarse one is great all round.



Some type of shape cutter, whether it's a bandsaw or scroll saw (or a friend's as you won't have to use it for long.)

The size of shoe we will be doing is a 1/2 scale of one of your own shoes, so a block of basswood or tupelo measured at just a little the half size of your shoe of choice is necessary (length and width). I doubt that any of the harder woods would be quick enough for you to get through.

The Tutorials

Anyone can do this and on their own time. I will post pictures, instructions and periodically some video to help you along. I could very well set out a shoe for all of you to copy but the power of observation is not taught - it is discovered on your own and I think the fun and rewards of this will be for everyone to see what THEY can do if they are encouraged , not fed paint-by-number instructions.
I will answer any and all questions on specific shoe problems directly from the numbered blog series or you can PM me or send emails with images to my personal email address. It's best not to show your shoe on the blogs until you are finished and ready for show and tell.

I will be working on this shoe which is a basic running shoe that can be manipulated into almost every style as the concept of carving it is the same for every section. Your own shoe will help you to determine details and sizes of details and having it in front of you will help you to accurately measure.



The Reward

Personally, I hope that the reward for all of you will be the good feeling that will come inside when you finish your shoe and add it to the LJ projects pages. I was not a competitive dance teacher because I always felt that each child had a strength that couldn't be measured against another child who worked just as hard. So there will not be a winner, per se. However, each participant who finishes their shoe without mechanical means (ie CNC routers etc.) will recieve a special Jordan Straker original gift prize.

So, good luck, take a deep breath and get ready for October 1st and The Great LJ's Shoe Challenge!!!!
 
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#53 ·
Manong Bert,

Maraming salamat. I might take you up on that. What do you think is the appropriate wood for this kind of project? There are a lot of fallen acacia and mango trees near the house. Are they easy to work - woodcarving wise?

Salamat uli.

Rico
 
#56 ·
Will we need these all to do the shoe? Do you recommend the gold ones or the more aggressive ones?

Sheila
 
#57 ·
J is for the hole in the top of the shoe for sure, O will help you hog off basics but I like to have the D for flat areas prior to using the sanding mandrel. I've only now started to acquire the gold ones but I usually end up using the silver ones.
 
#58 ·
I haven't tried much carving other than with a pocket knife around a campfire. I do not love my dremel tool. It typically sits on the shelf until I need to cut a bolt off or something. I've struggled using it as a carving tool on my own. So I think I am going to give this a try and am interested in the tutorials.
 
#64 ·
Those shoes look like quite the challenge, great work on them! I'm working on sculpting miniature bowls using a Foredom, Dremel and Xacto knives out of scrap wood in my wood stash. I'm making them in shapes that wouldn't be possible using a lathe. When I get a couple of them completed I'll post photos of them.
A great website for carved quilts is www.gofraser.com. My wife and I saw some of his quilts in Paducah, KY at the quilt museum there and the work is incredible, both from a distance and up close!
 
#68 ·
You'll probably all think I'm insane, but I'm going to jump in with both feet and try this… as my first ever wood carving project. However, I do have lots of sculpture experience and was an art teacher for 20 years, so I do have a bit of a head start, plus my Dremel is well loved having been used on many a project including gourds and silver jewellery. Think I'll do one of my well worn Birkenstocks, a little less challenging that a boot for sure! Can't wait to see the vid…I love a new experience and challenge!
 
#71 ·
Can somebody help to learn how to do woodcaving I use to do it lot. I join the Army when I was out of highschool. I lost lot of my skill. I'm try to get it back put do to my wounds it is hard if you can help me you can E-mail me at 11wigginton@gmail.com. Do not be sorry for me I was one of lucky one. I'm still in the Army.If you would help I will be thankful for it. I would A begainer class.sorr for the spelling and grammer.yellred.
 
#72 ·
I may get in on this as long as, well, is there a deadline??? cuz i probably won't get to this til after the holidays… yup, I'm slow.. I've got my riding boots that are probably 20+ years old. Oh yea, and I still use them, but, not m/c riding. I use em in the yard, tillin the garden, etc. Anyhoo, I've had a couple o beers, so, I won't be startin tonite… lol
 
#74 ·
20 hours later and the shoes are flying

Well, well, it's only been twenty hours since I put this challenge to the Lumberjocks and who woulda thunk it but closet doors are open and the shoes are flying, trying to select the one most appropriate for this challenge.

And in true form, the Lumberjocks are abuzz to each other, offering wood, links to tool websites and mustering up all the courage they can to be included in a task that might seem beyond their capabilities.

Well done friends, you are not alone. At this fine hour we have the likes of the following characters enrolled in your class:

Scrollgirl
ReggieK
Knucklenut
MsDebbieP
MrsN
Karson
Whitedog
Jimthecarver
Manilaboy
TJ65
BritBoxMaker
Don'Danceswithwood'Butler
Hairy
Sticks4walking
Aaron McCain
Billinmich
Carolynne
Bruno
Hix
...don't be left out.

And now that I have you publicly committed, I will show my true side by telling you now - THEIR WILL BE NO TALKING, CHEWING GUM, FIGHTING, SPITBALL LAUNCHING OR TARDINESS! BATHROOM BREAKS WILL BE AT RECESS ONLY AND DETENTIONS WILL BE SERVED FOR BAD BEHAVIOUR!!!!!

...and don't kid yourself, I am good at multitasking, I can carve a dunce cap faster than you can shake a 'stick'.
 
#102 ·
The Curriculum

As I've never taught by correspondence before, I'm having to figure out guidelines as how best to do this to suit everyone involved. With 5 different countries and many different time zones (ain't that amazing in itself?!) questions and such could get quite overwhelming if this isn't systematic. So I thought it would be most appropriate to break down all of the sections into separate blogs, even if that section only requires a short time to complete.

Therefore, 1, 2 or 3 blogs could surface at once but they would be properly titled for easy reference on that section. Please ask your questions on the appropriate blog so that others who have the same question or wish to discuss that area could be seen by all.

I'm having to start my shoe ahead of time so as the course starts, I'll have my laptop and will be available most hours to answer your questions. With my show booth finished and no major carvings started, my time is more free just painting and getting ready for my shows.

Although I have suggested the tools needed to get the job done, you are not limited to those. If you have other bits, don't be afraid to try them. This is supposed to help you further your abilities.

Anyways, if I think of something else, I'll add it to this. Just remember, this is supposed to be fun and entertaining in Lumberjocks style. Don't get overwhelmed, don't drop out and try to remind yourself as I do at 4 a.m., Rome wasn't built in a day!

But NOTHING is impossible!

Outdoor shoe Walking shoe Finger Wood Beige
 

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#103 ·
The Curriculum

As I've never taught by correspondence before, I'm having to figure out guidelines as how best to do this to suit everyone involved. With 5 different countries and many different time zones (ain't that amazing in itself?!) questions and such could get quite overwhelming if this isn't systematic. So I thought it would be most appropriate to break down all of the sections into separate blogs, even if that section only requires a short time to complete.

Therefore, 1, 2 or 3 blogs could surface at once but they would be properly titled for easy reference on that section. Please ask your questions on the appropriate blog so that others who have the same question or wish to discuss that area could be seen by all.

I'm having to start my shoe ahead of time so as the course starts, I'll have my laptop and will be available most hours to answer your questions. With my show booth finished and no major carvings started, my time is more free just painting and getting ready for my shows.

Although I have suggested the tools needed to get the job done, you are not limited to those. If you have other bits, don't be afraid to try them. This is supposed to help you further your abilities.

Anyways, if I think of something else, I'll add it to this. Just remember, this is supposed to be fun and entertaining in Lumberjocks style. Don't get overwhelmed, don't drop out and try to remind yourself as I do at 4 a.m., Rome wasn't built in a day!

But NOTHING is impossible!

Outdoor shoe Walking shoe Finger Wood Beige
Thanks Jordan. Knowing how important your time is, I just wanted to emphasize again how grateful I am for your participation in this….I've been trying to teach myself from books and videos and though they can do the job over time…you can't ask them questions or get their input and suggestions on what you have learned to date.

I also wanted to thank you for letting us down easy…ROFL…I have to tell myself the same thing (Rome) when I look at my, so far, feeble attempts. Not being an artist, or having natural talent in that regards, has made it difficult, even frustrating to learn woodcarving. I have put it aside several times but always seem to pick it up again in hopes that I will get through the ackward learners curve.

Love those shoes…reminds me of the bronzed baby shoes that were the rage years ago.
 

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#118 ·
Please email me your shoe image

Just so I am able to know what you mean when you have a specific problem, I would ask that each of you email me an image of the shoe you will be working on - some time this week. That way I can address your questions appropriately and help you adjust from the shoe I will be working on. Please include your screen name. I will catalogue each for quick reference.
 
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