Carving Lines

Al uses the Ryobi reciprocating carver to trace geometric lines into the black Gesso. The lines were created using repeated patterns of a "chevron" template made out of mylar. He uses a watercolor pencil, dry, to draw the pattern. Later, he can use a damp paper towl to erase the lines without having color bleed into the carved areas.

Bowl Carving Jig

Here's the jig that Daryl Mitchell built according to Al's plans. This provides support over the entire rim while holding the bowl securly. This prevents the piece from moving and the rim from flexing while he uses his pneumatic reciprocating carver.

Bowl Carving Jig

This is a side view, showing the clamping apparatus of the jig.

Shallow Coves

The final decoration on the bottom of the platter was a series of shallow coves. Later he would apply these to the rounded bottom of the bowl as well.

Various Carving

This shows various carving techniques on the sycamore bowl.

Straight Lines

Al had a great way to ensure straight lines that were parallel to the floor. By placing the pencil along the flat surface of the jig, the pencil would remain flat, thereby removing the error of the pencil tipping up or down while following the tool rest.

Al Making a Mess

Al could really get the chips flying when he wanted to.

Roughing the Sycamore

This shows the sycamore bowl being roughed out.

Platter in Jig

Here is the platter being held in the vacuum carving jig.

Bowl Carving Jig

This shows a bowl being held in the carving jig.

Vacuum Carving Chuck

This is a portable version of Al's custom vacuum carving chuck. He just clamps it to a strong surface and applies a vacuum when he wants a piece secured during carving.

Various Carving

This shows various carving techniques (Ryobi, pneumatic, rotary).

Examples of Work

Tops of some bowls Al brought in as examples of his work.

Sycamore Bowl

This shows the roughed out sycamore bowl before Al started carving it.

Modified Power Chisel

This is the bit that Al uses in his pneumatic reciprocating power carver. The bit was created by fitting the tang of a hand held wood gouge into some bar stock that then fits into the power carver.