M J Moser Report post Posted September 30, 2014 (edited) Hi everyone... Here are a couple projects i have done for practice on skirting remnants from the feedstore.The koi is my 4th piece, and the flower is 5th (my last piece) I am planning on getting more tools as I can (need to get a smooth pear shader first, mine is textured and I'm not super happy with how petals look with it) I did these on a wooden cuttingboard with a lightweight epoxy mallet from Harbor Freight and a basic starter set of 6 tools from Hobby Lobby. Looking into gettin a piece of granite, seems to be the preferred surface to tool over. pointers and comments welcome!!! Edited September 30, 2014 by M J Moser Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohn Report post Posted September 30, 2014 Looks like your doing pretty good for a beginner. A piece of marble will really be a great improvement as you will find out when you get one. I use an old tombstone that I picked up at an undertakers tombstone scrap pile. It works great but it is a bear to move. I had a friend that worked in a wielding shop make me a table on wheels for it which makes it easier to move when I need to. Keep up the good work and keep showing your things, I enjoy seeing them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M J Moser Report post Posted September 30, 2014 Thank you Rohn I just scored a piece of granite today from a countertop shop. I can hardly wait to try it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted September 30, 2014 You can do a lot with just a few stamps, especially if you have a good piece of marble/granite and a good maul. I cheaped out on mauls for a long time, but getting a real maul made a big difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M J Moser Report post Posted September 30, 2014 You can do a lot with just a few stamps, especially if you have a good piece of marble/granite and a good maul. I cheaped out on mauls for a long time, but getting a real maul made a big difference. That's next on my list.. I'm liking the Barry King mauls. I notice they come in several weights/sizes... I assume the one you would choose would be based on the weight of material you're tooling? (heavier maul for 13/15 skirting vs using a lighter maul for 4/6oz bag material?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted September 30, 2014 Choose the weight for what you stamp. Heaviest ones are best for big stamps like letters and punches. Medium weights are great for borders. and lighter weights are best for detail tooling. The heavier you go, the less work you have to put into it, you just pick up the maul and let it fall, the weight of the maul does the work. However, if its too heavy, your arm gets fatigued. Too light, you have to put some umph.. in your swing and/or strike multiple times for a good impression. I haven't noticed much difference tooling thin/thick leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HollyNelson Report post Posted October 1, 2014 Nice koi! It has a rather aggressive look, no wimpy Walt Disney goldfish there! My first fooling-around piece was a goldfish too, but I did something wrong to his eyes, he looks like he'd survived a nuclear spill or something. Hope you enjoy the granite. Another place to score heavy slabs is in thrift shops. They surface from time to time, I guess from a previous life as pastry rolling surfaces or something like that. Oh, and keep an eye on Kijiji / eBay classifieds for tools and such. Mostly, you will find eBay leather tools overpriced and sadly beat up, but now and then a fellow will be clearing out his tools and offer you a dandy deal. That's where I got scores of stamps, a good swivel knife, many pattern books, and odds and ends, from a couple downsizing their crafts tool supply. I needed help to cart them to the car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airth Report post Posted October 1, 2014 Very nice work! I'm right there with you, and only just recently got a quartz slab...the difference is significant! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M J Moser Report post Posted October 1, 2014 thanks Colt Holly and Airth good luck and happy tooling! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BubbaJon Report post Posted October 2, 2014 Quick question - I too got a scrap from a tombstone place and it works well. I was told by one of teh old timers that the surface needed to be sealed or surfaced or something like that. I don't see how the small imperfections in the stone would matter that much - opinions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M J Moser Report post Posted October 2, 2014 no clue bubbajon... my granite freebie (about a 14x14") is polished to a glass-like finihs on everyside but the bottom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DawnS Report post Posted November 6, 2014 Loved the koi. Wonderful for just starting. You can check out granite stores for free slabs of granite. I was searching for something else entirely and lucked up on a couple of nice size pieces of granite in a give-away pile. Also, as you are adding to your tools, be sure to keep an eye on ebay. People get rid of bulk stamps and other tools quite often. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Quite nice for the first few you have done ! And, I can see you have an artists eye to form and balance, good work ! ---------------- Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
