Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

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Craig Hodges
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Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 10:21 am

Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Craig Hodges »

I'm working on an electric violin for my daughter. This one has a simplified scroll as the tuners are on the opposite end of the strings. I wanted to emulate an acoustic violin scroll on the bottom. I'm am concerned that when a gloss finish is applied the carved profile imperfections will be obvious. I have a hard rubber cylinder that I've used to sand the profile, but this only highlights the imperfections. Wondered what tools and techniques others use to create this feature. Thanks for any suggestions!
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Chet Bishop
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Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 3:50 pm
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Chet Bishop »

Have you tried a scraper? I make scrapers of hard steel, quite thin (.015"?) Blue-tempered watch-spring works well, or, if you can find an old drywall mudding knife (especially a large one) you can make several out of such a blade.

I have scrapers I made that somewhat fit the curve of the cross-section of one channel, and others with a much larger radius, that I use laterally, to good effect.

There are numerous on-line explanations of how to sharpen a scraper.

Chet
Chet Bishop
Violin-family instruments
Forest Grove, Oregon
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Craig Hodges
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Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 10:21 am

Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Craig Hodges »

Thanks for the great suggestion for materials to make a special scraper from Chet. The sheetrock mudding knife hadn't occured to me as a good heat treated raw material for a custom scraper - I'll be trying that!
Chuck Tweedy
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Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Chuck Tweedy »

I'm no expert, but it does not look horrible to me. I'd expect my first attempt at a violin head-piece to be much more frightening than that. :-)
Likes to drink Rosewood Juice
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Barry Guest
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Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Barry Guest »

I would follow Chucks suggestions, especially the one that it doesn't look like it needs much more attention. Even the great Stradivari left tool marks under his varnish.
Alumnus of Wood and Strings
Chuck Tweedy
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Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Chuck Tweedy »

Hey Barry, I didn't really suggest anything. :P
I think it was Chet.
Likes to drink Rosewood Juice
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Craig Hodges
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Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Craig Hodges »

Thanks for the encouragement. Chet, I did try a scraper and what a difference that made. Scrapers are a miraculous invention. I'm off and running again.
Chet Bishop
Posts: 94
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 3:50 pm
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Chet Bishop »

Keep 'em really sharp, and they do some great things.
Keep us posted.
Chet Bishop
Violin-family instruments
Forest Grove, Oregon
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Barry Guest
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Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:40 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Could someone offer a couple pointers on my scroll carving (photos)

Post by Barry Guest »

Sorry Chuck, my dysfunctional brain is seeing Chuck when it should see Chet.
Alumnus of Wood and Strings
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