WHAT I DID TODAY
I managed to get more of the black filled in. Some of the fingers, the whiskers and a few other African Blackwood infills. I also put in the middle leg with Ash.
The whole project looked so grubby from glue residue and smudges that I finally cleaned it up a little. It isn’t easy because many of the infill pieces are slightly proud of the background. I have been whittling these down with sharp chisels a little everyday. My intention is to handplane it when everything is finished. You might notice that most of the belly on the bottom is missing. This will be done tomorrow, I hope.
Here is a photo of progress to date.
WHAT’S TO COME
I’m getting close now to getting all the backgrounds finished. I still have the eyebrows the mouth, fire/tongue, eyes and the top and bottom belly pieces. I am hoping to get some of that done tomorrow.
For me, the most fun part will be when I start adding the details. These will be added to many of the already infilled areas, especially those with black infill. I think they will bring the picture to life and make it a lot more exciting. I am also hoping to find additional opportunities for more detail, but only where the will make the image more lively.
WHAT I LEARNED TODAY
Cutting the African Blackwood has gone well but the swarf can’t be entirely blown away as the cutting proceeds. It kind of balls up in front of the blade making it a little difficult to see the pattern line. I tend to look a little ahead of the blade anyway, so no big problems encountered.
A rather pleasant aroma is released while cutting the Blackwood. It is a familiar scent, but I couldn’t place it at first. After a few days I realized that it smells just like Bazooka bubblegum! Of course I haven’t had any for more than 35 years, so it took me awhile to remember!
I’m still looking for a good material for my thin pattern attachment. I found some 1/16” birch plywood used for airplane models that would be ideal, but it costs an arm and a leg. Please let me know if you have any ideas for me on this point. It should be strong and stiff.
Thanks for looking in.
-- Mike, American in Norway
20 comments so far
SPalm
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4108 posts in 2050 days
#1 posted 112 days ago
Bazooka Joe. What a memory. I do believe chewing gum technology has improved since then.
Looking good Mike, what a ride.
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
shipwright
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3384 posts in 966 days
#2 posted 112 days ago
Excellent !
-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/
grizzman
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5380 posts in 1471 days
#3 posted 112 days ago
oh steve you have blasphemed bazooka joe….lol…i bet i could get big bucks for it..do they still make it..i have no idea…well mike its looking great, ive been waiting for the belly side, is that saving the hardest for last…or how do you feel it will go…
-- GRIZZMAN ...[''''']
stefang
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9459 posts in 1502 days
#4 posted 112 days ago
No worries about the belly work Grizz. I just haven’t done more on it yet. The part I did came out fine and I don’t expect any problems with the other two parts.
-- Mike, American in Norway
lanwater
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2418 posts in 1102 days
#5 posted 112 days ago
It’s looking better and better Mike.
Brit
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4187 posts in 1011 days
#6 posted 112 days ago
I was in the Bazooka Joe club. I can taste it now. I really admire your patience Mike. I can’t wait to see the end product with some finish on. That wood is going to pop.
-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.
Roger
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9191 posts in 972 days
#7 posted 112 days ago
It’s surely coming to life.
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net
Smitty_Cabinetshop
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6385 posts in 786 days
#8 posted 112 days ago
275 pieces for under $30US!
-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive
Dave
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9175 posts in 1008 days
#9 posted 112 days ago
Mike it is coming right along. You are moving at a good pace.
-- Superdav "No matter where you go - there you are." http://chiselandforge.com
kiefer
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1839 posts in 835 days
#10 posted 112 days ago
Mike you have the patience of a Saint .
All I can do is admire your work and have high expectations for the finished piece ,it is just wonderful to watch your progress .
-- Kiefer 松
littlecope
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2329 posts in 1670 days
#11 posted 112 days ago
Still along Mike, and enjoying every installment!
I’m remembering how hard the gum used to get, if it wasn’t fresh… and that it wasn’t possible to blow a bubble with only one piece…
-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.
stefang
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9459 posts in 1502 days
#12 posted 112 days ago
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Patience has nothing to do with this project. I am enjoying it so much that I don’t really want it to end. I’ve decided to frame the finished picture and I have a great idea for the perfect frame. It will also take some time to make, so who knows when I will be able to post the finished project? I’m just glad I don’t have to do this for a living. If so, I would have been bankrupt a long time ago!
Smitty Thanks for that shopping tip. I really love your byline and I also agree 100% with it. Handplanes love to work, so that’s what they should be doing! My hats off to Superdave and others like him who are making this happen.
-- Mike, American in Norway
justoneofme
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357 posts in 648 days
#13 posted 112 days ago
Bazooka bubblegum is a great childhood memory for many of us Mike!!
Giving thought to your pattern … I have used arborite (kitchen counter top surface material) as a template for repetitive design cutting. Hardware stores or kitchen manufacturers usually have scrap pieces which are very inexpensive. Extremely thin, strong, stiff and easily cut on the scrollsaw … but make sure to use the smooth rather than ‘pebbled’ surface. If you decide to try this for your pattern, I hope it works for you Mike. The only downside is that while cutting … it doesn’t smell as sweet as bubblegum!!
Looking forward to your next blog!
-- Elaine in Duncan
stefang
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9459 posts in 1502 days
#14 posted 111 days ago
Thanks so much Elaine. I’m not sure what this, but we have some kitchen manufactures in our area, so I will ask them what they have. It sounds just like what I’m looking for.
-- Mike, American in Norway
shipwright
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3384 posts in 966 days
#15 posted 111 days ago
Arborite is a Canadian name Mike, You might know it as formica.
-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/
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