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TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

Project Samples

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Overview

• • • • • • This presentation provides: Tools and materials needs Step-by-step instruction Finishing tips References Resources Patterns TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Introduction

Years ago an article in

Chip Chats

inspired me to started whittling covers (TipZ) for my knives. At first these were used as a decoration. Later I found that they saved my tools when they fell or were dropped.

I found the patterns can be adapted to cover gouges (TopZ), name tags (TagZ), magnets (MagZ), and zipper pulls (ZipZ). The project was not only decorative and fun, but also functional.

Despite having carved many T-T-M-Z

s

over the years, I still find carving them a challenge to my creativity and ingenuity.

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Objective

This presentation describes how to make a tool cover, or blade cover, for your whittling or woodcarving cutting tools. This project strives to fuel your creativity while using basic whittling skills.

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Scope

• • • This presentation describes the general steps used to create a basic project designed for new whittlers. Advanced whittlers also can get wonderful results.

It is possible to sheath gouges and chisels with wooden covers. The instructions in this guide are limited to knives. Carve one for a knife first. Once you have experience, you should be able to make a cover for almost all your carving tools.

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Tools

• • • • • • Saw (band, jig, scroll) Bench knife Strop or buffing wheel Hand and finger protection Pencils and ruler Clamps or rubber bands TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Selecting Wood :A

• • • Use Basswood strips or scraps for your first project Using 1/4" wood for each side, the resulting object will be somewhat compressed or squished in depth. If you want, use 3/8" or 1/2" for a more three dimensional look White pine, sugar pine, or butternut may be used for projects not requiring great detail

NOTE:

Adjust the size of your wood to the pattern selected and the size of the blade to be covered TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Selecting Wood :B

• • • Use basswood because it is not too soft and carves and finishes easily Most knives will require a rectangular cover about 3/4 inches thick The length and width will depend on ̶   Your pattern Size of the blade being covering

HINT:

Save the scraps when you cut blanks.

You may be able to use these scraps for tool covers.

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Materials & Supplies

• • • • • Paints and brushes Wood or craft glue Oils, stains, or sealers Sand paper Hardware    pin backs screw eyes magnets TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Before Starting…

• • • • • Decide on a design or pattern Develop a template from the design Gather all tools and supplies Allow sufficient time Select an adequate work area TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Whittling steps

• • • The steps in the next section describe the steps needed to complete this project. The process is the same no matter which shaped cover you choose.

Some of the

Patterns

may be carved in the round or with one side unfinished. The latter lets the tool lay flat.

RELATED PROJECT NOTES:

• For zipper pulls, skip steps 3 –6 • For name tags, apply the pattern on the selected wood block, skipping steps 3 –6 TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 1 :A

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ Every project begins with an

idea

.

• • • • • • • Where do ideas start?

Cards Books Magazines Coloring books Gift shops Craft fairs

? ? ? ? ? ?

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Step 1 :B

• • • • • Decide on a design to use for your cover Make a copy of the design in the size that you need You may need to enlarge or reduce it Glue the pattern onto an index card (card stock) and cut out.

Save this template for later use

NOTE:

Generally, make the pattern about 1/4 ̶ 1/2" wider and longer than the blade TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 2

• • • Scribe the border of the template on the wood Scribe the borders of the block Saw the block

TIP:

If you have a bandsaw, saw only part way along the length. This keeps your fingers from coming in contact with the blade. Turn the block to complete the cut • Usually you want the grain to run the length of the wood — parallel to the blade

NOTE:

You may want to adjust the drawing slightly because the handle of some knives is at an angle where it meets the blade — the block should be larger than the design you selected TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 3 :A

• • Re-check that the two pieces (halves) are sized to fit the pattern On the inside of one side, trace the outline of the blade you want to store in the sheath

FRONT BACK NOTE:

Center the blade on the block and the design as possible TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 3 :B

• • Stop cut around the edge and remove a thin layer of wood, forming a depression into which the blade will slide Using your knife, U-gouge, V-tool, or flat chisel, continue to remove wood inside the blade tracing (slot)

NOTES:

 For soft sweeps, cut a slot the width and height of the tool  For V-tools, use the tool to start the slot and complete with a knife  For deep sweeps, use the tool to create the slot TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 3 :C

• Hold the two sides together and try to slide the blade inside  If the blade causes the pieces to gap, remove more wood until the gap is closed and the blade slides in smoothly  Smooth the blade slot and edges TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 4

• • • Use a small amount of wood (or craft) glue to glue the two halves together Spread the glue over the surfaces that come together Spread the glue thinly near the slot

CAUTION:

If you have a bandsaw, saw only part way along the length. This keeps your fingers from coming in contact with the blade. Turn the block to complete the cut • Clamp the two halves together using large binder clips, mini clamps, or rubber bands

TIP:

If you are using white (craft) glue (slow drying), add a drop of super glue to speed up the bonding time TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 5

• • Be patient, let the glue set according to the label instructions —usually overnight Slowly insert the blade into the slot —  If the fit is snug and the cover does not fall off, go to the

next

step.

 Mark the slot side with a V-tool to indicate which way the cutting edge is inserted TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 6

• Lay your template onto the block  Scribe the outline onto the block  Use a band saw or coping saw to cut out the outline

TIP:

Save the template for later use

NOTE:

If using a band saw, be careful cutting out this small block • Sketch the design details onto the blank as pattern appropriate TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 7

• • Now carve your cover —  The amount of carving you do will depend on the design and size of your cover  Use a wood burner to add small details Clean up and remove any fuzzies or unwanted tool marks TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 8

• • Finish as desired —  If you used acrylic paints, spray acrylic sealer to protect the finish  If not using paints or stains, spray with lacquer or polyurethane to protect the wood from oils and dirt Sign and date your project TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Step 9

If

adjustments

are needed: • • If the blade is a bit too tight —  Slide it in and out working it around until it fits properly  Sand lightly with a small strip of sandpaper or emery board If the blade is too loose, insert a wood shaving (chip) TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Finishing Tips :A

• • • • Smooth up, removing tool marks and fuzzies Scrub the carving —   Use hot water and dish detergent using a stiff brush Rinse well and let dry Spray with two light coats of Krylon ® Matte #1311 Paint with acrylics, thinned 1:20  Mix well on divided pallet, try to paint wet on wet to blend colors  Thin colors for buttons and buckles just enough to get paint to flow

more...

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Finishing Tips :B

• • • • Let dry after painting and give another coat of Krylon Antique if appropriate Let dry after painting and give another coat of Krylon Sign and date

E N J O Y !

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References

•

Knife Covers: Protective Projects in Ten Easy Steps

, Kathleen Schuck, Woodcarving Illustrated, Spring 2002 •

Sheath Making

, Pinewood Forge, accessed August 29, 2011, available at: http://www.pinewoodforge.com/sheath.making.html

•

Carving a Knife Sheath, Exciting Scout Craft

, accessed on August 29, 2011, available at: http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/wood_carving/sheath.html

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Resources

• • • • • • •

A Beginner's Book of Carving Neckerchief Slides, Pins, & Magnets

, Robert Reitmeyer

Carving Caricature Pins & Bolos

, Gary Batty

Carving Pins

, Mary Fin, Schiffer Publishing

Carving Halloween

, Paul F. & Camille Bolinger, Schiffer Publishing

Halloween woodcarving

, Paul F. & Camille Bolinger, Fox Chapel

60 Patterns for Santa Carvers

, Al Streetman, Schiffer Publishing Northwest Woodcarvers Association, patterns, accessed from: http://www.woodcarvers.org/ TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Patterns :A

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Patterns :B

TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

NOTE:

Some people like to cover their knife blades and gouges with clear plastic tubing so they can see the tool. Others like to make sheaths from birch bark — you can substitute thin leather for the bark. Still others braid sheaths from rope for some of their thin gouges. But for straight blade knives many people like to practice their skills and be creative by carving a sheath.

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Terms

• • • •

grain

the direction, texture, or pattern of fibers produced by the fibers in wood

pattern

decorative design, form, or model considered for or deserving of imitation; SEE template

Pull cut

knife cut made by drawing the blade toward the thumb on the knife hand; AKA: Thumb cut, Paring cut, Cut Back; See Push and V cuts

Push cut

knife cut made by pushing the blade away from the knife hand; AKA: Levering cut, Push-Away cut; See: Pull and V-cuts • • • • •

Stop cut

knife cut that is very similar to a V-cut, incorporating two cuts —the first cut is straight (perpendicular); the other cut slopes or slants into the first cut

template

cutout of a pattern used to transfer the design to the wood; gauge, such with a cut pattern, used as a guide in making something accurately for carving projects or profiles; SEE pattern

V-cut

knife cut that uses the Pull and Push cuts to form a V-shaped feature in the wood; SEE Push cut and Pull cuts

whittling

any carving done with a knife; SEE woodcarving

woodcarving

carving with chisels, gouges, and mallets; SEE whittling TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Summary

• • • • • • In this presentation you learned: The required tools and materials The steps to complete the project Tips to finish the project References related to the project Resources to help with this or other projects Patterns for other projects TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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Whittle Designs

Carved Art from Virginia’s Heartland

[email protected] http://whittle.designs.tripod.com/  http://whittledesigns.wordpress.com/ TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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My ideas usually come not at my bench, whittling, but in the midst of living.

— Anais Nin (paraphrased) TipZ, TagZ, MagZ & ZipZ

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