ToolEngraver.com

Cloudy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:26:13 +0000

These are shots of a bronze miter plane, designed for a customer who likes ships and scrimshaw!

Make Magazine on line

Cloudy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:22:58 +0000

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2012/01/pretty-tools-work-better.html

Make magazine saw the blog Wilbur Pan did on my work, and included me on their site! Word of mouth is a great thing!

layout of a project

Cloudy — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:51:43 +0000

As I worked on the latest plane, the Bedrock #608, I took some shots of the project’s progress:This shows the relationship between a block plane and the massive (23″ long) # 608 jointer The focal point has been laid out and engraved. The scroll layout is then done free hand, directly onto the plane, and highlighted by a sharpie. The backbones of the scrolls are all done before the leaves are added.The last bits are the stippling of the background (to darken it and add contrast) and the shading to add 3D.

a series of Bedrocks

Cloudy — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:28:45 +0000

One of my customers has restored the entire series of Stanley Bedrock planes, and so far I have engraved the 605 and 605 1/2 in the series. These are a delight to engrave, and the series will be stunning!

Celtic Cat sampler

Cloudy — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:57:38 +0000

This is a sample I worked up as a prototype for an upcoming plane. The cat and knots were drawn freehand. The head is copper inlay. The body line and ball of yarn are silver inlay. The eye is a 2mm stone set into the copper.

more bracelet work

Cloudy — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:21:25 +0000

One of the customers I’ve had for planes contacted me about a bracelet, after having seen my blog. He wanted a man’s cuff in copper with a Celtic flair. This is in 20 gauge copper (about the thickness of a penny) and shines very nicely. As usual, this is engraved flat, then bent around. This is all of the same piece, and the color is as in the 2nd picture- Light changes the color when you photograph these!

bracelets

Cloudy — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:38:52 +0000

I am now offering cuff bracelets in Eastern Bright style. They are 6″ long and 3/4″ wide, and custom engrave with your monogram in the center oval. And, of course, any other customizing is welcome as well!

Prices will start at $200 for brass or copper, and $300 for silver.

Eastern Bright cut in brass

Cloudy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:32:58 +0000

I’m working my way up to cutting these into silver. The brass though has as much bling going for it as the copper!

Eastern Bright Cut bracelets

Cloudy — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:26:27 +0000

I took an online class earlier this week in this technique and have been practicing since then. This is a photo of the cuff bracelet before and after being bent to shape. The center oval really lends itself to custom work- in this case initials. Serious BLING here, folks!

L-N #4 1/2 plane

Cloudy — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:17:35 +0000

I received this communication a few weeks ago from Joshua Clark (http://www.hyperkitten.com )
& was thrilled to be part of the project:

“Back in December of 2001 I proposed to my wife Sarah. That was right about
the time that I became interested in woodworking and hand tools. When I
proposed to her I gave her a ring of course. She thought it would be nice
to give me a gift to celebrate our engagement. She gave me a wonderful
plane- a Lie-Nielsen 4 1/2 heavy smoother. We’ve now been married almost
eight years- our anniversary is next week in fact. Over the past ~10 years
the plane has always been there when I needed it, and has always served me
well. It is a tool I cherish and my most valuable tool in several ways.

I have always wanted to do something special with that plane and never had
the right inspiration. When I saw the pictures of the planes you posted to
WoodNet I knew you were the person to ask. I have saved up some money and
I’m ready to commit to the project. I love the natural, organic nature of
your work. I’m also a big fan of Steampunk art, so your post from the other
day resonated with me. I like the blend of the elaborate Victorian elements
with the modern lines and materials of the LN planes.”

Here’s what I’ve done with the plane: