Author Topic: Leather Tooling, Wood Carving & Metal Engraveing  (Read 1105 times)

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Offline AtlLaw

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Leather Tooling, Wood Carving & Metal Engraveing
« on: October 20, 2011, 07:16:48 AM »
I think I mentioned that I was going to give tooling leather a shot.  That got me thinking, always a bad thing for me...  ::)
 
As I was researching tooling I started thinking back to the last BP rifle I built, and the other one that I've been working on for the last 10 - 15 years.
 
My Southern Mountain Rifle is more then a Po Boy but still basic compared to "Golden Age" Pennsylvania Rifles.  When I was on that kick I studied the wood carving of the old (and contemporary) masters and even though I have the tools and understand the technique, I haven't tried it yet.
 
But it dawned on me that the techniques for carving a design into a Buttstock or tooling one into leather are virtually the same!   :o  Then I thought about engraving; something I never imagined I would even consider trying!  Again, the basic techniques are the same!
 
So I says to myself, "self, you can practice on leather, then wood, and maybe even try steel!"   :o :o
 
I tell ya, sometimes I worry about myself...  :-\  I'm setting up my motorcycle garage as my workshop, I wanna build a sailboat, saddle, presentation boxes for the knives and sheaths I make, CAS rigs for my C&B and SAA revolvers, get my bluing tanks set up for all the odd jobs that pop up, finish my .32 cal flinter - with carving, and I don't know what all else!   :P
 
I understand that I've always had many and varied interests, but dis be gettin 'dic-a-luss!  I'm even beginning to lament all the time I wasted drinkin likker, listening to rock and roll and chasing young wimmins!  'course all that seemed like a real good idea at the time...  ;D
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
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Offline greenrivers

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Re: Leather Tooling, Wood Carving & Metal Engraveing
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2012, 03:12:01 AM »
Wondered where the devil you had dissapeared to! I just came down to this sight to do a bit of leather research and found you lurking! I wanted to jump in on the previous thread, but when you guys started talking about swimin rivers with chains, the ground felt a little shakey. Nice leather work though!
I thought when I retired I would ware out tires on the FL, and shoot my guns loose. Instead I keep finding hobbies that I have wanted to become involved in for years. I just finished the gravers turntable for metal work, have been doing a lot of wood carving and as I said, leather is next. Look like you beat me there. You do have just a bit more age on me, so that's to be expected.

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: Leather Tooling, Wood Carving & Metal Engraveing
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2012, 04:18:47 AM »
I been right here!  Where you been!?   ;D
 
Actually, I visit just about every forum each day.  Usually I go down the list of new posts and read all that catch my eye.  :)  That's why GBO is such a great site!  Especially for folk of many and varied interests!  No matter what you may be considering, you got people here doing it!   ;)
 
I tried doing Cherokee Rose a couple of times using a couple of techniques and they didn't come out bad!   :D  I'll do a few more, I want to try some undercuts, before I tool them into the belt/C&B revolver holsters as the center piece of the "Cherokee Rose" rig.  I have discovered I need a lot of practice with a swivel knife!   ::)
 
Speaking of that rig, it will also have to serve as a 3 gun rig since a Uberti 1851 Navy Richards Conversion is on the way to my FFL as we speak!   8)
 
And this leather tooling is great practice for stock carving!  I can't wait to take chisels to that maple stock for my .32 flinter!  But that may be a while since I never heard of a "graver's turntable" and want to look it up.   :-\  Maybe find some plans...  :P
 
We had a run down to Macon yesterday but all but one of us caged it.   :-[  Heck!  The temperature was down in the 20's!   :o  That's cold for Jawja!  And too cold, not to mention the high winds, for me to be on my murder-cycle!   :D
 
And I'd still like to get up to Maine for a bear hunt...   ;D
 
 
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
Support your local US Military Vets Motorcycle Club

Offline Silvertp

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Re: Leather Tooling, Wood Carving & Metal Engraveing
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2012, 10:05:23 AM »
Well I never knew there wuz anyone but me so afflicted with so many hobbies. You guys have it pretty bad.

I started with shooting / tanning coyotes and making hats, moved on to wood carving, wood burning, then added refinishing firearms (biggest demand seems to be for camo).  Then came restoring all my relatives old knives (had a bunch of moose bone from a bull I got a few years back that make great handle material).  Now Im making my own knives and just ordered some leather so I can start making sheaths for my work.  Did I say my buddy wanted me to finish off some of his chrome Harley parts with "gun metal grey" Cerakote...just finished them this morning.

Well, gotta take my dogs for a walk.  Cheers!
Silvertp

Offline greenrivers

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Re: Leather Tooling, Wood Carving & Metal Engraveing
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2012, 02:38:05 AM »
Being retired is the best thing to happen in years! I am getting behind in my projects though. As soon as I finish (today) a set of burl claro grips for the .45 colt, I have a peace of maple to get busy on. There is a thumbhole stock and forearm hiding in there somewhere. Also have some moose horn for the Montado, ivory for the Colt and maple burl for the 51 Navy conversion. I did some u-tube research and found that some of the gravers use a rig similiar to a potters wheel that is turned with the foot as arcs are being graved. Made sense so I will start learning using that. My daughter did a good job first time out with it. But she and the wife are accomplished artists. I strugle to draw breath, never mind a straight line!
What caliber is the Navy in. Hope you are ready to become very attatched. They are a special breed of revolver! Best of both the old and new.
Envy that bike ride. Even at those temps. Ice and cold here are keeping mine in the garage and on the trickle charger. Would have to do a preheat to start it!
I don't know what a Cherokee Rose or a swivel knife is, but hope to learn. I need a new cartridge belt! Someone left mine out in the rain and it shrunk. Leaving behind some of those ? "bad" habits you mentioned behind seem to cause a swelling under the belt line!
All kidding aside, GBO is an outstanding site. It offers a whole horizan of talent and knowledge. Sounds like you agree too Silvertp.