Replies

1. 
   basswood | Jul 11, 2009 06:10pm | #1

   The large pair of corbels required a 50% increase in size over the small corbels. I made a template of the existing small corbels and rather than using a projector or copy machine to enlarge the image, I just used a scale tool that works like a slide rule and a set of french curves. I just plotted a few points and found a curve that fit the points and looked good.

   The scale tool is easier to use than a calculator. I dialed in 150% then any measurement on the inner wheel gives me a number on the outer wheel to use. No number crunching... just read the answers. Some things were easier with slide rules than with calculators. It makes working with inches and fractions a breeze.

   The small corbel is 4" by 10" and the large one is 6"x15" That part is easy to do in your head... the slide rule thing makes converting say 6-1/4" to 9-3/8" slick. Of course 150% is pretty easy, but that thing will do any enlargement or reduction in scale.

   
1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Jul 11, 2009 06:20pm | #2

   Looks good from here.
   Are you making these for someone?
   Looks like denim pine you are working on.

1. 
   basswood | Jul 11, 2009 06:54pm | #3

   The small corbels are being used as "up-easings" on a Victorian rail. The large versions are being used as post to beam brackets.Denim pine is a generic reference to any pine with blue-stain fungus, often Lodgepole pine or Ponderosa pine. These were cut from 2x6 and 2x8 SPF lumber and are likely Ponderosa pine.

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 11, 2009 07:37pm | #4

   I've never seen then used a feet before, only upper support type members.
   InterestingWe called the blue veined 'beetle-kill' pine in COHere, most guys throw it away. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   basswood | Jul 11, 2009 07:55pm | #5

   Yep, it is "beetle kill", but the beetles are the vector, transporting the blue-stain fungus that clogs the "arteries" of the pines. The fungus is the actual killer. The blue-stain pine is now being sold at a premium... smart marketing.

2. 
   Piffin | Jul 11, 2009 08:35pm | #6

   Yes, I knew that from CO. It was a choice wood there for the colouring. Here, the attitude is that the wood has already started to rot so it is culled out. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   basswood | Jul 11, 2009 08:41pm | #7

   blue-stain is not a decay fungi.it is just as sound as non-stained wood.

4. 
   stevent1 | Jul 11, 2009 09:10pm | #8

   Brian,Very nice work. Thanks for sharing.Do you use any type of preservative before painting?I used to use Cuprinol green and clear. SW changed the formula when they bought the company. I am looking for a good preservative that can be painted within 48 hrs. of application.Once again, very nice work.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood

5. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 11, 2009 09:55pm | #9

   Jasco makes several version of Termine8 (sp?) and I think one to two other trademanes for Paintable Water Repellent Protectors. That have wax to reduce the flow of moisture, but too much to keep they from being painted. And tin or copper oxides to resist rot.I think that Woodlife also has similar. No idea of how long you need wait paint..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

6. 
   basswood | Jul 11, 2009 10:49pm | #12

   thanks chuck,i use a stash of the old cuprinol 10 and it asks for a 6 month cure before finishing...like that ever happens... I just wait 'til a drop of water soaks in, rather than beading up... then "prime" with thinned to 50% spar varnish... then sand, use stain blocking exterior primer and paint... PITA!There has to be a better way. I have not been able to get any preservative locally since the Cuprinol takeover by SW.

7. 
   Piffin | Jul 11, 2009 09:55pm | #10

   I know that
   You know that.Try to get the locals here to believe it 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

8. 
   Snort | Jul 11, 2009 10:32pm | #11

   Nice job. We see a some blue stain in southern yellow pine. It's fine for paint grade, but if it gets a clear finish, the blue just gets uglier as it ages. I need to start telling clients to "celebrate the blue"<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com

   We'll have a kid

   Or maybe we'll rent one

   He's got to be straight

   We don't want a bent one

   He'll drink his baby brew

   From a big brass cup

   Someday he may be president

   If things loosen up

9. 
   basswood | Jul 11, 2009 10:55pm | #14

   Thanks.In the West, it is milled into rustic "blue" paneling and sold at a premium for cabins, etc.One man's trash...

10. 
    basswood | Jul 11, 2009 10:52pm | #13

    Man, that sounds like an opportunity. Get the yard to sell you all the "blue returns" at a discount.

2. 
   vintage1 | Jul 12, 2009 11:55pm | #17

   Basswood,

   Thanks for sharing- interesting to see the originals and your reproductions.

   I didn't know there was that much sybolism in a corbel.

   You just made me a little smarter ;>) 

1. 
   basswood | Jul 13, 2009 12:15am | #19

   I wonder how many forms we still use, had meanings originally, but the symbolism is long forgotten.Nice to incorporate nature and meaning into our work and buildings.

2. 
   basswood | Jul 12, 2009 11:30pm | #15

   Here is a pic of the finished product with just minimal carving to give the leaves some definition:

   
1. 
   doodabug | Jul 12, 2009 11:37pm | #16

   Very nice. pretty even

1. 
   basswood | Jul 13, 2009 12:10am | #18

   Thanks.... Enough variation to suggest that they were "hand made", I guess. They will have some space between them so they won't be quite as easy to compare installed. The originals had some variation too... so it's all good.

1. 
   doodabug | Jul 13, 2009 01:57am | #20

   I meant they were pretty to look at

2. 
   basswood | Jul 13, 2009 02:37am | #21

   Gufaw!I thought you meant "fairly even... as in reasonably symmetrical." "Pretty" is good. Thanks. Would make nice bookends. :o)

3. 
   cargin | Jul 13, 2009 05:08am | #22

   brian

   Cool pictures.

   Sharing like that makes BT a better place.

   Thank you

   Rich

4. 
   basswood | Jul 13, 2009 03:09pm | #23

   Thanks Rich,I'll post some pics of the corbels installed... in a couple of weeks... the pergola style porch where most of them are going is just getting the deck framed now.Here is one with them arranged like points on a compass on my dining room table... I'm easily entertained:

   
5. 
   Sphere | Jul 13, 2009 03:19pm | #24

   Glad to see I'm not the only one that plays with my work..LOL

   'I can make a hat, a Brooch...'

   Fun stuff.

   I see wheel spokes for a funky cart..but thats just me. (G)Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   "If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt

   View Image

6. 
   basswood | Jul 13, 2009 03:27pm | #25

   You know I'm glad I made an extra one that I get to keep... I've had enough fun with these that I don't really want to give them to the customer... but alas, I do need the money. <g>Speaking of spokes, I have been thinking of building a bicycle out of wood... like some of the crazy stuff I've seen posted. A Baltic Birch Bike... has a nice ring to it.

7. 
   Huck | Jul 18, 2009 08:26pm | #27

   I'm easily entertained

   I'm a breaktime regular. I am too.View Image bakersfieldremodel.com

8. 
   basswood | Jul 18, 2009 09:23pm | #29

   :o)

9. 
   basswood | Jul 18, 2009 07:59pm | #26

   Rich and ALL,Here is a slideshow of some process pics. Not much in the way of descriptions, but here it is:http://s436.photobucket.com/albums/qq88/knottree/floral%20corbel/?albumview=slideshowCheers,Bass

10. 
    cargin | Jul 18, 2009 09:05pm | #28

    brian

    thanks for the update. It's nice to see a work as it progresses.

    I would see BT folks do more of this kind of threads.

    But I understand that it takes time and effort. For that I am thankful that you have shown us not only your work but also the process.

    I was intrigued by the leaf cuts and the small amount of carving yeilded such a big return in visual interest.

    I have always wanted to carve, but I have too many irons in the fire to start one more. we have some excellent carvers in my town. My FIL used to do alot of duck decoys. He is really good at it. He has moved on to other interests now. We have 6-8 od his decoys in the house.

    1/2 of the art in decoy making is the painting after the carving.

    Rich 

11. 
    basswood | Jul 18, 2009 11:35pm | #30

    Hi Rich,I too would like to get into wood carving. The wood carving on those corbels was very basic... which is a good thing. It fit my skill set. Real wood carving is usually a labor of love or a nice hobby. I imagine that few make much money at it.I would like to carve my logo into a raised-relief sign for my shop... someday.All the best,Brian

12. 
    cargin | Jul 19, 2009 01:53am | #31

    brian

    All the best,

    You too

    Keep up the good posting

    Rich