I’ll start with Maureen’s stuff. While I’m poking around in the shop, she’s in the house home-schooling the kids, running the kitchen AND creating various textile things in her spare time. Many of you have already been to her Etsy site and we’re very grateful. For those who are new – here’s the link https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaureensFiberArts if you’d like to have a look.
The cupboard – it’s moving right along now, there’s no turning back. I haven’t posted much about it for a couple of reasons. Mostly it’s because the steps happening now are all jumbled – a little painting here and there, some fussing with the fit of drawers, then making a couple of moldings. The other reason is the color. The plan is to make the cupboard look like it’s not brand-new. The moldings and turnings are simple, they’re black. Linseed oil, black pigment and Japan drier.
The oak now has step 1 in its coloring – a very thin wash of milk paint (not a 17th-century method…) that looks awful until I then add a coating of linseed oil over it. But that doesn’t happen until the moldings and turnings are ALL applied. So for the time being, it looks like mud. But today or tomorrow I plan on assembling the upper case – that’ll be a big job so it will get a blog post all its own.
Next up this morning – We finished another carving video to go with set # 2 of the drawings.
As you see, it’s a row of rosettes. The linked circles are called a guilloche. A popular form with a lot of options in the midst of the circles. This is just 3 versions. After the cupboard’s done I’ll shoot the more complicated videos – 2 panels and some strapwork. That will finish set #2. Both sets of drawings are still available – https://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/carving-drawings-17th-century-work-from-devon-england-and-ipswich-massachusetts-set-1/
Set # 1 is 4 pages, 24″ x 36″ and there’s a whole series on youtube of the carvings in it. Set #2 is 5 pages, same size. Here’s today’s video
PETER FOLLANSBEE: JOINER’S NOTES 
Peter, I was wondering why you don’t use Linseed oil paint instead of milk paint. There are now a couple of good sources for linseed oil paint in a wide palette of colors.
John – a simple answer and a more involved one. Drying time is one. for years I have made my own paint with dry pigments and linseed oil. Adding umber and/or drier helps get the paint dry, but it’s not exactly hit or miss, but can take some time. The other bit is that the applied turnings and moldings are glued (and nailed) onto the surface. In my tests I’ve done the glue adheres to the thin milk paint finish. Then the oil goes over all of it. The glue won’t adhere to an oil paint it seems. “seems” being the key word.
Very nice Peter. In fact amazing. I tried as best I could, taking notes on which size gouges and V tool you used but not sure I quite got them right.
I was wondering if you could let us know which ones to get the proper radius’ and dimensions of the carved shapes?
I actually don’t have many carving tools yet as I am just starting out in this woodworking journey. So I am going to need to pick up a few and don’t wanna spend money on the wrong tools. Not that there are any really “wrong” tools. But the ones specific to this……..which I’m sure can be used for many other patterns……
Thankyou
P.S.
Here’s what I took down
1. V tool 15 sweep 6 mm?
(I was able to pause it and vaguely make it out on the handle)
2. #7 x 1/2″ wide gouge
3. 5/16 x 5/16 gouge
4. 3/8″ chisel
5. 1/2″ x 1/2″ shallow gouge
6. 3/4″ x 1 & 3/8″ gouge
I know I could be way off on this tool list but like I said I don’t have much of any of these yet. Actually the only gouge I own is a 35mm. It seems like you may have used shallow and “regular” for some of the same sizes. Please forgive my lack of ignorance while I’m still learning.
I’m looking forward to delving into the world of carving. I didn’t think it was possible for me until I watched you videos. And now there is hope because you make it seem like math. There is a system, an order to the art or the layout. I just assumed it was all freehand on the fly. I like symetrics and see it can be done as such.
Thankyou
Oh and some are straight and some look to be fishtail? My head is spinning…..but I’ll come around…..lol
Patience, Patrick – you didn’t even give me a chance to reply! See the bottom of this post https://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2021/08/23/carving-drawings-set-2/
My apologies Peter, it’s just so new and exciting to me sometimes I get too excited.
Thankyou kindly for the reply.
Will do!!
I just read it, Brilliantly explained!! Thankyou for sharing your knowledge. Well done.
I dug this up too and found it complements the gouge chart you provided. Thought it may help anyone else out who is delving into this and is thinking of picking up a smattering of carving tools.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2020/09/09/carving-gouges-2/amp/
Thanks again Peter