Author Topic: Viewing your work progress as you work on it (Read 2606 times)

smylee grouch · « **on:** February 01, 2021, 03:46:33 AM »

When your in the process of building, how often do you just stop, take a step back and give it a good once over to check your progress? My shop some times seems darker than others so at times I will take the rifle outside or into the living room to get a better idea of how I'm doing and I have also taken photos with my cell phone to view latter just to critique my own work.

B.Habermehl · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2021, 03:52:13 AM »

Every time I stain wood, it must go outdoors in natural light. Perhaps my vision is the problem, but I must have natural light when I’m fooling with color. BJH

davebozell · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2021, 03:55:11 AM »

I also find that it helps to take progress pictures of what I am working on. I seem to get a better view from a picture than actually holding it my hands.

TommyG · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2021, 04:02:47 AM »

My shop is well lit and that's a good thing to a point. When I'm shaping a stock, I constantly will set it up on a shelf about 6' or so high, turn off all the lights and view the architecture using a floor lamp(incandescent bulb) to highlight the lines via the shadows. I mark anything that doesn't look correct and make the adjustments, then repeat. Works particularly well for the transitions from wrist to butt and cheekpiece. I do the same when carving while on the bench, turn off all lights and use a low angle light to check for imperfections.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2021, 04:27:02 AM »

Sounds like I'm not alone with the picture taking. About four years ago I was doing some stock shaping a couple nights before I left on a three week trip and viewed the pics alot when I was gone so when I got home I had some areas I had seen in the pics that needed attention.

jerrywh · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2021, 05:20:37 AM »

I don;t usually post photos because nobody builds the stuff I do so It would be boring to most builders.

Bill Raby · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2021, 06:53:34 AM »

Doing the You Tube videos of building gives you a whole new perspective on it. I am explaining everything as I go so I have to think it all out in a logical manner before doing anything so I can explain it in a way that makes sense. I have to step back and go over everything before I do it. It really slows everything down, but I do better work because of it. Then I later go over every little detail when I do the editing. Its all on camera and I spend a few hours editing each video. It is fairly common that after doing the editing I will go back and make some changes later.

Clint · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2021, 07:02:39 AM »

Quote from: jerrywh on February 01, 2021, 05:20:37 AM

I don;t usually post photos because nobody builds the stuff I do so It would be boring to most builders.

Jerry,
I am interested in whatever anyone is building especially high level skills. I have an out of control building affliction and am always looking for new ideas.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2021, 07:07:13 AM »

I think it's critical, to closely scrutinize your work as you build. I look at mine like a hawk!
If we don't do this, stuff can pass that doesn't really pass, if you know what I mean.
We should be harder on ourselves than anyone else.

No excuses!

smylee grouch · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2021, 07:21:59 AM »

Pukka, I agree about scrutinization. I have so many times missed details when building that I only noticed when the rifle was done. Partly because of lack of training and no one else to view or critique. Such is the result for this novice builder.

flatsguide · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2021, 02:36:57 PM »

Like others I too take photos and raking light. Colors are hard to determine especially with fluorescent or led lights. Jerry always interested in your work.
Richard

t.caster · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2021, 05:45:19 PM »

You must step back and look with a critical eye on a regular basis. Photos are a good way to see if things are flowing together.
Or I could send my wife. Just walking by she can spot all the little scratches! Grrrrr, I'm not finished with that yet! Haha.

wmrike · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2021, 06:02:38 PM »

For surface work, I employ multiple lamps set around the work area, turning some off, some on, to get oblique lighting of the wood surface. I continually find little imperfections that had gone unnoticed. I also close my eyes and run a finger or fingernail across the wood to look for waves and dimples.

Cory Joe Stewart · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2021, 07:42:47 PM »

I do a couple of methods, one is step back away from the project any look at it, try and get level to it. I also take images, my shop is about an hour away from where I live now and I can only get there a couple days a week. So I will often take pictures on my phone and look at them when I get back to my place. I have often spotted issues for improvement looking at images after the fact.

Cory Joe Stewart

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2021, 08:05:31 PM »

One of the 'tools' that I have found very useful for examining my work, is a loop of cord strung from one of the florescent light fixtures on my shop ceiling. The loop hangs down enough that I can slip the rifle into it while holding on to the other end. This points the stock upward at the lights, and it is easy to see irregularities in the stock, especially if there are walloons or hollows along the forestock. It also helps to critique the buttstock from the plate forward to the wrist, to ensure that that plane is correct.
I also use the loop for checking the bore of a barrel without a plug installed.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2021, 08:57:07 PM »

And this is yet another reason why this site is so great. Builders of all types and levels sharing ideas among ourselves. A lot of good ideas that can help anyone doing just about any type of hand made craft work. Thanks for the replies so far. Keep them coming.

Tom Cooper · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2021, 10:01:36 PM »

Quote from: jerrywh on February 01, 2021, 05:20:37 AM

I don;t usually post photos because nobody builds the stuff I do so It would be boring to most builders.

I've yet to see any of your work that was boring.

Marcruger · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2021, 04:13:02 AM »

Another way to check your work is look at it in a mirror. The errors will leap out at you. Apparently this is because you are rotating the picture around the axis, so any error shows up twice as bad as it really is to the eye.

satwel · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2021, 05:42:35 PM »

I have found placing my stocks at crazy angles, especially upside down, before I step back to asses my progress often reveals areas that require further attention.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2021, 07:04:43 PM »

MacGyver I do the same thing with the mirror... Every time it
points out the error or maker...
ME... LOL. Oldtravler

Daryl · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2021, 08:31:32 PM »

Quote from: oldtravler61 on February 02, 2021, 07:04:43 PM

MacGyver I do the same thing with the mirror... Every time it
points out the error or maker...
ME... LOL. Oldtravler

Ahhh yes, the error of THE MAKER.

rsherman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2021, 01:49:36 AM »

Been letting this one stew a bit. Coming back and refining
Curves and accents. A little more detail here and there .

yip · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2021, 02:00:20 AM »

NOW THATS BEATIFUL!

Stoner creek · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2021, 02:03:27 AM »

Quote from: rsherman on February 03, 2021, 01:49:36 AM

Been letting this one stew a bit. Coming back and refining
Curves and accents. A little more detail here and there .

That’s so nice I’m not going to show y’all what I’m doing :-.....

rsherman · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2021, 05:20:22 PM »

Thanks guys

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Author Topic: Viewing your work progress as you work on it (Read 2606 times)