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Author Topic: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)  (Read 8816 times)

LehighBrad

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A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« on: May 07, 2012, 03:07:05 AM »
O.K. guys...spent a few hours this morning cutting out a bigger and hopefully better cheek inlay. Re-drew the carving design also...although I fear if I decide to go with this design I may be in over my abilities. Am I any closer to how a Lehigh style should be?

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Offline Jerry V Lape

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2012, 08:59:37 AM »
Brad,

Will this carving be incised or relief or combination of both?
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LehighBrad

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2012, 12:03:26 PM »
If all goes as planned the carving will be BOTH incised and relieved. Still debating if I want to go with this design or not.
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Offline David Rase

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2012, 06:53:39 AM »
I think the bottom (straight edge) of the cheek piece is too long.  I would reduce its overall length by removing about 20% from the back of the cheek piece.  Next, I think the back curve of the cheek piece is too vertical and not curved enough.  If you shorten the length of the cheek piece this will lengthen the back curve.  Also, the end of that back curve is too high.  By lowering the termination point and shortening the cheek piece you have a more elongated curve and more carving area behind the cheek.  I might even try raising the rear of the cheek piece slightly to help.  A lot of words, I hope you can make a little since out of what I said.
Dave
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Offline smallpatch

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2012, 03:05:40 PM »
Yes..... What David said!!!

See Brad, it's not just me!!  Just kidding.

David said very well, what I was trying to explain last week.

You can still lower that comb down some too.

You're probably sorry you asked for a critique now, huh??
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Dane

Offline David Rase

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2012, 03:55:32 PM »
Dane,
You are right about the comb.  I kept staring at it an knew it looked large but did not think about lowering it.  When I read your post this morning and looked at the comb a second time it resembles a Tulle more than a Lehigh.  As you know, those Lehigh butts are pretty slender. 
Brad,
I hope you are taking these coments the right way.  I think there is still a lot of wood that can be removed.  I learned while making an American musket a few years back that even removing as little as 1/16" of wood makes a gun look completely different.
Dave
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LehighBrad

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2012, 06:18:21 PM »
I'll always take advice...all I can get.:-) The humped comb, and smaller cheekpiece with more of an angled end to it will be fixed. ;) I've just been doin' more photo-takin' than wood raspin' lately. ;D Once those wood issues are fixed there will be updated pics so you guys can keep guiding me in the correct direction. I appreciate that.  :)
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Offline smallpatch

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2012, 03:54:38 AM »
Brad,

I'm very glad.  I was kind of worried that you'd feel like we were beating up on you.  I just love the Lehigh's, and I have built a couple of my own.  I've made just about every mistake you can make.  Then, I got an Allen Martin (Busty Brunette), and felt so inadequate that I could have thrown away all my tools.  It got so bad, that I started two more.  Waiting for barrels, and away we go again.!!!
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Dane

Offline smshea

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2012, 06:34:04 AM »
Your getting good advice from Dave and Dane! I would get the cheek piece worked out before you even think about drawing a carving pattern on the gun. Your pattern looks compressed and a lot of that will straighten itself out  once the cheek is reduced. Keep looking at that Picture you have of the rifle in the white(By Allen Martin I believe)and concentrate on the cheek. Try to forget about the carving and other embellishments when looking at the cheek. Once you get the basic architecture close the rest will flow easier. When it comes time to put the carving pattern back on, all I can say is really look at what your trying to copy,don't be afraid to get friendly with the eraser end of the pencil. Walk away from your drawing for a few hours(Over night) and you will see things you want to change more clearly. I'm my opinion it should take a lot longer to draw the pattern than it does to actually carve it.....that's just me! Keep looking at that reference picture, where things start, where they terminate and how they blend/come together. I hope some of this makes sense.
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LehighBrad

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2012, 04:06:37 AM »
O.K. fellas.......I took off roughly 1/4" of wood along the top of the comb and gently blended the top curve of the comb down more than it was. Then I took off 1/2" more length from the back end of the cheekpiece and angled that end more. I'm pretty happy with it as is now....don't know if I feel comfortable taking any MORE wood off. :-\ Let's here it....to quote Frasier Crane....."I'm listening". ;)

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Offline bob in the woods

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2012, 07:18:40 AM »
Perhaps it is the camera angle, but the star looks square /boxish to me.  Maybe a bit more definition of the indents? 
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Offline David Rase

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2012, 08:16:48 AM »
Brad,
I like how that comb is looking now.  The camel hump is gone.  You willappreciate that when you pull the trigger.  One question, how concave is the cheek piece?  It appears that the aft end could use a littlel more hollowing out.  Could be the camera angle.  Its amazing how removing a little wood makes such a big difference.  Hang in there.  You are getting real close.
Dave
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LehighBrad

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2012, 01:52:02 PM »
Bob....you are correct.....the 4 quarter points of my star create a more rectangular shape than the reference picture I have of the one Allen Martin made for Smallpatch. I'm going to file away some more metal off the left and right edges of the quarter points on my star to "square up" the center geometry of the star better. Dave, the aft end of my cheekpiece does have a slight concavity to it....the front area near the nose of the comb has a little more. I will have to bend the star inlay inward a bit so it lays flush to the form of the curved in area. I'm planning on doing the 4 round headed nail anchoring technique like the Lehigh-Jedi A. Martin did with Smallpatches rifle. After all....imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? :D
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LehighBrad

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2012, 04:07:55 AM »
Final stage......the star has been "squared up" to look more symetrical. All the wood I dare to remove has been removed. And this final carving design makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. May the spirits of Rupp and Moll guide my chisels....because I fear my own skill won't. :-\

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Offline smallpatch

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2012, 05:08:20 AM »
Brad,

A marked improvement.

One more thing!!  (Sorry)

The tendrils coming down from the comb seems to end "square".  What I mean, is that it just stops going straight down toward the moulding.  I think just taper it back toward the front of the cheekpiece, and that will help significantly.

Definitely BETTER!!!!
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LehighBrad

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #15 on: May 11, 2012, 03:25:21 PM »
Dane...NEVER apologize for helping me. :) The tendrils are easily fixed while in pencil....which I did....and you're right...it looks 100% better now that they tie in with the angled front edge of the cheekpiece! No idea why I didn't realize that after I sketched them on there. I'll be going into "ALR Forum hibernation" for a bit now.....hopefully my next posting will be a finished carved Lehigh!! That, or a photo of me wrapping this thing around a tree!! Just kidding, I'd never do that......I'd burn it. :D
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Online Jim Kibler

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #16 on: May 11, 2012, 03:42:46 PM »
LehighBrad,

You're showing a lot of perseverance.  Keep up the good work!

Jim
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Offline Don Getz

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #17 on: May 11, 2012, 04:17:08 PM »
Lehigh..........Wow, that carving pattern can blow you away.     You must have seen some of this in  a dream.  If it were
mine, I would simplify the carving patterns.  I assume you have never carved a gun stock before this one?   I have some
suggestions.   I would either simplify it, or get out the books and copy an original..........Don
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Offline David Rase

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #18 on: May 11, 2012, 05:05:45 PM »
Like Dane stated earlier, a marked improvement.  One thing I learned when laying out your carving is that when drawn on the stock and it is 2 dimensional, it looks great, but as soon as you start adding that third dimension of depth carving tends to look stubby.  I alway try to elongate my drawing just slightly.  I would be interested to hear your your thoughts after you carve your rifle.
Dave 
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LehighBrad

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #19 on: May 11, 2012, 05:18:40 PM »
Don....I thunked up that design all by my lonesome. And this will be my second carved rifle. My first one is my trusty .40 caliber Bedford / Frankenstien tree rat eliminator. ;D Although this ain't my first rodeo when it comes to carving...it's definatly is my most ambitious! You know a good friend / primitive trekking buddy of mine Brett Dixon....ask him...he knows....when it comes to patience, I got Jobe beat. Dane and Dave....stay tuned. And thanks again guys. ;)
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Offline rick landes

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Re: A new star is born. :-) Sorry...had to use that line.:-)
« Reply #20 on: May 21, 2012, 02:20:56 AM »
I think the flow of the second carving design is smoother, cleaner. I would look it over one more time, from a couple of angles and even up side down before committing to the chisel.

I very much like the complexity of the design. Please share it after the finish if your time permits.

Enjoy!
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