Ken, great to hear from you! I just used a square graver to cut 95% of what you see. The heavier lines were made by making multiple cuts. For the round bottom, or "scooped" areas I used a modified point setting tool. The point setters are made of round stock, with a long point on one end. I ground off the point to the desired size, then honed a 45 degree face. It's essentially a large round point graver. Lindsay sells a template for a round bottom graver if you'd like to be a little more technical.
I feel it would be easier doing this type of thing by cutting out the profile first. For me, it would be a little easier seeing how everything flows, and also terminating the edges.
Hungry Horse..., the material used to hold the piece is pitch. It's red pitch, which is a medium pitch, and I purchased it from Rio Grande. It's mounted on a steel practice plate. Works really well...
As an aside, I made a casting of the side plate with petro bond sand. It turned out pretty well. I'll try to post some photos, and will be using the cast side plate for the fowler I'm working on.
Thanks!
Ed
