Very good tutorial, it really covers all the steps well and you provided a lot of great shots to show the details!

Nice! I kind of loled in the end when you said "Are you still awake???" cause I found it pretty cool. I took an interest in wood carving when I carved a knife in summer camp and I always enjoy watching woodcarvers in action.

You remind me of my grandpa, We use to live in Vietnam, We would cut down trees, And I would watch him carve

Hi Rick - Thanks for the nice comment. I got so many requests to teach a chain and how to sharpen a knife. Due to work and family I have so little time to wood carve, but will try to make those videos next- safe carving - joe

I never thought to open the top and bottom when I did mine. Now I have to go back and open them up, or maybe do it again! It’s a fun project!

@MisterSplinters

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks James for the comment. Yes, f you open up the ends, it gives you practice carving end grain. Make sure you tools are razor sharp because end grain is harder to carve. Cheers, joe

I love this, I was wondering if you'd be able to list all the tools you have used to make this. I have never tried wood carving but you have really inspired me to take it up as a hobby. I'd like to start buying bits and bobs to start soon Thanks!

Great video, clear, informative and well structured. Wish you had more projects to watch!!!! Subscribed and liked...please put more on! Thanks Mr Splinters.

I would recommend Basswood (Also named lime or linden wood) its readily available at online woodcarving supply companies. They come in all different sizes. I used a block that's 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches by 3 inches in length for this project. Hope this info helps ! safe carving - joe

Awesome step-by-step tutorial, with very clear instructions. Thank you! :)

Excellent tutorial. Very comprehensive and organized.

Hi Joe, it's the first time I came across your video for this. I love the templates you use, especially the ones for the curve of the ball. I started a ball in the cage years ago but never got it finished. I'll have to get it out one of these days and finish it. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

@MisterSplinters

Жыл бұрын

Hi Phyllis thank you for the comment! I’m glad that you liked it. I also wrote an article in WCI on carving a ball in cage inside another cage plus an article on carving a locomotive inside a cage. Happy holidays and hope all is well.

@phyllisstone3089

Жыл бұрын

@@MisterSplinters you're welcome, Joe. Happy holidays to you and your family as well. We are freezing down here as well. Not ready for winter yet. LOL!

This is going to be the top of a wizard staff I'm working on. It's gonna be awesome!

Was given an unwanted pine double bed ,took the 15 lenghths of clean "batten" and good screws (often will pick up a used pine bed for good used timber) However I did not try your idea of using a bar of soap and butter knife. When cuttin the bed posts into scrap I tossed one in the bin and WOW about 8"x4x4 with around ball on top (size of a tennis ball) Head already turned I,m on my 3rd STATUE !!! Mr Splinter I,M ADDICTED ! Thanks SAFETY FIRST.sitting carving on my lap I find safer I think

Very nice job and excellent instruction. Thank you for doing this.

You sound like Chris Angel with a New York accent. Great video by the way.

great...looking forward to more tutorials...thank you...

Excellent video presentation. I always wondered how they did it.

This ball in the box could make an excellent valve for machines that has pumps in it or needs mechanism for one way fluid movement! 🤔 In fact it's exactly what I need to make right now, I'm doing some plumbing works, Thanks for the video ! 😃👍

Thanks for the + comment.Good power carving question! I don't do a whole lot of pwr carving, but I would recommend the following tips.I would chuck a drill bit into the shaft tool and drill thru all the sides that need to be gutted out. Make it look like swiss cheese but be careful you don't cut the ball area!! Then use a coarse grit bit and gut out those areas (the areas left and right of the ball) Then take a very small diameter medium to fine tip bit and carefully pwr carve the borders.

This is so cool! Can't wait to try it out during Spring break, thanks!

@CurlyWeiner

9 жыл бұрын

Also, I might be going crazy, but is there a dog whining in the background of this video?

@MisterSplinters

9 жыл бұрын

Hi thanks for the nice comment ! Feel free to email me if you have any questions. And yes, that's my buddy's dog whining in the background. Her name is cup cake and She also lends her voice to our ball in box bloopers video. Safe carving Joe

Hi Ben-welcome to w.carving ! Its important that the grain runs the length of the block (4") if the grain is running across the 1.75 or 1.5 part then the carving will be fragile.I would recommend that you carve 1/4" off the 1.75 high part of the block so the block measures 1.5 X 1.5 X 4. Plus this will give you practice in using a carving knife.When you get the block down to 1.5 X1.5 X 4 size, just follow the you tube video. Having a block that's 4" gives you more room to carve the ball.

Thanks for the email. In the video I used the following: 1.5"X1.5"X3.5" basswood, Carving knife, Safety glasses, Carvers glove(to protect my hand), #2 or #3 sweep gouge that's anywhere from 10-16mm wide, skew chisel, circle template or drafting compass to make a 1-3/16" diameter ball. Strop and compound, combination square or ruler, index card, graph paper, pencil and sand paper. Have fun and safe carving - Joe

:D thank you! I went out and searched. I found some. Now ill try this. :) first actual carving but I'm prepared for difficulty. Happy holidays

thanks for the nice compliments-when time permits I plan on making more videos but currently swamped with work and family.Im hoping soon I will have another video-how to woodcarve a snowman ornament.Ive been promising you tubers for months!Im happy to hear that your dad will be able to help.I think woodcraft will deliver world wide -just be careful with ebay - some people really over price the woodcarving tools. A flex cut brand woodcarving knife should cost around $20 to $25- dollars. Thanks

Hi - The wood that I like is Basswood. Its reasonably priced and easy to carve. Most arts and craft stores and hobby shops would carry it. Safe Carving - joe

i agree with tommygunn, although this is impressive i would enjoy seeing this done with a harder wood, and how the techniques would change

LOL - Go for it ! Let me know if you have any questions or trouble carving it. Safe carving - Joe

Hi another you tube viewer helped translate your question. The carving glove that i use in the video cost around $25.00 (USA) Hope this helps.

Hi sorry for the late reply - I use an index card or the cardboard from an empty tissue or cereal box. I draw three circles the same diameter that you want the ball to be carved. Next I cut the templates out with scissors or a knife (an exacto #11 knife works great). I make the templates three different arc lengths so I can check the progress of the ball from different sides of the box. I hope I came across clear - let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks safe carving -Joe

Awesome technic and video !! Thanks a lot

@MisterSplinters

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you liked the video! Happy holidays, Joe

Poetry in motion !! Thanyou Bro

Very Cool - Safe Carving -Thanks - Joe

Great tutorial. I'm trying to make this for my daughter. Do you recommend any stain that's safe for toddlers (for when she decides to taste it).

Thanks so much for your helpful reply ! Thank you for watching my video : ) I am going back up to that bird carving school in July and will ask my mentor what he suggests. I'll let you know what he says ! Thanks again !

Hi MisterSplinters love your projects. If possible, I'd like you to show who to do a chain next. I think with your careful instruction it would come out great. Thank you. //Rick//

Great Video! what brand of wood tools did you use? also, what type of wood did you use?

Thanks for the comment - and thanks for the cool socialmediabar link ! Safe carving-joe

Hi-since your new to woodcarving I would recommend the book: How to carve wood - By Richard Butz.It covers many topics:wood and tool selection, sharpening, different styles of woodcarving,etc.The sharpening technique that Mr. Butz uses for his whittling knifes is what I use.He uses oil stones. Also, Flexcut knives (made in the USA) come razor sharp and they are reasonably priced.If they get dull you can send back to them and they will resharpen for a small fee. Hope this helps! Safe Carving

Nice tutorial.Thank you. Sharp knife! How do you sharpened them ?

you can do a search on the internet for woodcarving supply stores. wood carvers supply in Florida should have the size I use. Also can try wood craft stores or the wood craft shop. You can ask them to cut the wood to the size. It doesn't have to be the exact measurements that I use. Just make sure the ball is bigger then the border so it doesn't fall out of the box. Hope this helps -Joe

Very cool - what subjects did he enjoy carving? how many tools did he use? Did he purchase the tools or were they hand made? Thanks !

Great video. I'm going to tackle this as part of my first wood-carving project. Can you give links for where to purchase the tools you use? Namely the main carving knife and the gouge? Or at least a good place to look to buy these basic tools. Thanks!

Hello !! Great video : ) I am a beginner woodcarver and am working with power tools. What are some tips you can provide for methodology in doing this with power carving tools ? For example, what would be a good bur for my flexible shaft tool ? Thanks so much !!!

PART II. When it comes to carving the ball I would recommend you using a carving knife and a #2 or #3 sweep gouge (Like I explain in the video) if you power carve the ball you might damage the box borders. If you decide to power carve the entire project, just be VERY careful. The power tool can kick back on you and you can cut yourself and/or damage the project. Hope this info helped and I didn't confuse you! - Safe carving -Joe

Cool!!! I'm so making this

subscribed awesome video!

Oh man sorry to hear that ! Glad that your not giving up. Before you use a gouge or any woodcarving tool say to yourself if I slip where would the tool cut into. Always plan each cut very carefully. How is the cut healing? When time permits I will make a safety carving video - Thanks for the email-Joe

Thanks for the comment ! Hope you get a chance to carve these projects - happy holidays - Joe

Hi again, I just viewed your site and really enjoyed the power carving school video that you have posted. If your a student at the school it wouldn't hurt to ask the instructor to view my video and they can recommend the power carving bits to carve the ball box project. Please let me know how it turns out . Safe power carving - Joe

how would you adjust your ball size and cage/edge size if you were using a different size block(a 1 x 1 x 3 for instance)?

Cool - thanks for the comment!

Hope you still get a chance to answer these.. but i was wondering which type of wood is best to use for those specific carvings? where can i get information about which standard sizes of raw materials that i can buy?

Thanks. How long did this take you to make?

Hi - I'm sorry I was unable to understand your question. Would it be possible to translate to English then I will be able to answer. Thank you for watching! Joe

Hi. how many hours did it take you to make this and how long would it take for a beginner. It looks really cool and I would like to have a go. Thanks

Thanks for the comment ! I purchased my Richard Butz carving knife, PFEIL gouges and palm gouges all from woodcraft. They have many stores across the US. Just go to their website and click on store locations. The tools are A+ quality. I think for an additional $5- they will sharpen the BUTZ carving knife for you (gouges come sharpened). Good luck with your first project - please email me pics of completed piece. Also feel free to email me with any more questions. safe carving-Joe

Hi again - I never heard of carrot soap so I looked it up - It looks like a cool product ! Not sure if you can carve it but it doesn't hurt to try - just be careful, think about each cut and wear a carving glove. The soap might break apart in your hand so please be careful - safe carving-joe

were will i be able to get wood that size or will i have to cut it to size myself?

@cekinxxx Thanks for watching and for the comment. - Joe

i just bought an x-acto knife and some soft basswood. do you think I can still make this? what else could I make with a wood block this size and an x-acto? thanks

@MisterSplinters

10 жыл бұрын

Hi - Yes you can carve this project using a x-acto knife - just be very careful. Xacto blades can easily break especially if you apply a lot of pressure. I would use xacto's thicker blades (not a #11 blade) and would also recommend buying an Xacto gouge blade or chisel blade to make it easier to remove the excess wood. Also I would recommend getting a whittling book or magazine to give you more carving ideas. Wood carving illustrated magazine (fox chapel publishing company) released a special issue titled: Whittling. I think it came out last year. That issue should give you lots of different carving ideas. Are you new to the hobby? are you in the US? Thanks for watching - Safe carving-Joe

Hi - I would recommend designing it on a piece of graph paper using a pencil. For a 1"X1"X3" block I would make each border on all sides of the cage around 1/4" and the ball 3/4" in diameter. Hope I explained it clear enough - safe carving - Joe

I have just got started in caricature carving, do carvers consider it cheating to use a drill or a dremel to remove some of the excess wood in the beginning?

Mr S. It HAS to be a caving glove for my up and coming birthday (present) Since Ive discovered carving via an old pine bed Ive been carving for approx 2 weeks approx 30 hours of intense concentration (and excitement) I guess I have been really lucky eg like not gripping work piece correctly and BANG a very near miss! So far NO BAND AIDS yet I,m acutely aware of how easy it is to do damage ! I wish I knew how to upload a pic of my latest projects, a Soldier, a Cowboy, Angel Cheers Richard

Where did you buy your block of carving wood from? I really want to try this but I don't know where I can find it.

hey mister splinters just got my first block of wood, the dimensions are 4" length, 1.75 " high , and 1.5 inches wide was wondering if you could give me the idea of a dimension to use

Can you do this with a regular pocket knife? I'm a newbie hoping to get into carving but have no local mentors, or mentors in general.

Thanks for the nice comments - If you don't feel comfortable using wood and sharp tools - you can first try using a bar of soap and a butter knife and see if you hands will listen :-) if they do - then you can move onto the Basic Owl video - Its a fun beginners project. Let me know what happens or if you have any questions. Also u can check in your area for a carving club. safe carving - Joe

Cool thanks !

Hi-you can use a regular pocket knife, but it must be very sharp and the blade itself should be grind down to a steep angle so it will carve through the wood. I would recommend the blade angle to be 20-25 degrees. If you search online for a woodcarving supply store (woodcraft, wood carving supply or the woodcraftshop) they sell good quality carving pocket knifes. I believe the company Flex cut makes a ready to use razor sharp pocket knife. Happy holidays - joe

Your welcome- Looking forward to hearing what your mentor suggests. Safe carving - Joe

good video

Cool - Thanks for the email. I hope to make alot more videos as soon as I find the time! safe carving -joe PS: Im writing a 4 page article for wood carving illustrated. Its scheduled to be out in their 2013 winter issue.

Im new to this, what wood is the best to use?

can this be done with a regular pocket knife?

Did u make up this? Just wondering

Cool thanks for the translation

Thank you for the comment ! safe carving !

Hi - You can purchase all supplies that I used for my videos at any woodcarving supply store. There's stores all around the USA called WOOD CRAFT. If you go to their website you can look up the store address in your area. If you live out of the USA you can always shop online. They have great customer/technical support. Also there's a great mom and pop carving store called wood carving supply(its in Florida). Hope this helps - Happy holidays and safe carving -joe

LOL - I hear that alot ! Thanks

Hi - I stayed away from the harder woods because it is harder to carve and didnt want to discourage the new woodcarvers watching the video. If you decide to use harder woods make sure your tools are sharp and to remove the excess wood you can use a drill press and drill out most of the excess wood. You can also use a micromotor tool or a powercarver. Just be careful wearing a carving glove. the rotating bit can get snagged on the glove! - safe carving! -joe

LOL - sorry about that ! At the end of the video I gave cup cake credit for her whining. Safe carving - Joe

Hi - I used basswood for this project. You can get at any wood carving supply store or most arts and craft stores. safe carving - joe

hi - good question! Yes, but you just have to be very careful with your cuts-especially when trying to carve the box or cage - you can easily slip and cut into it. Make sure the knife is razor sharp because carving the boxes sides which is the woods end grain is tough. And last but not least , try to use a pocket knife that locks the blade into position so the blade doesn't accidentally close on you while trying to carve. Safe carving -Joe

With no distractions and all tools razor sharp about 2 -3 hours to make the project. Making the video took A LOT longer:-) I would say at least 10 hours and plenty of mistakes making the video. We included a bloopers reel. - safe carving - joe

hi i was wondering if you could send me a list of all the tools you used, it would be very helpfull, thanks.

What's the wood that you use for this kind of project?

Hi - any woodcarving online store should carry it. you can even try fishing supply stores (fisherman wear when cutting fish). Look for one that is made from KEVLAR. Its a super strong material. ALSO no carving glove will stop puncture cuts they only stop regular cuts (when the blade accidentally hits the glove-NOT when the point of the blade hits the glove) safe carving - Joe

Hi - thanks for the comments. I didn't design this carving. Carving a ball in a box(or cage) has been around for years. As far as I'm aware the way I show viewers how to carve this project in this video (using circle templates, etc) was my idea. In wood carving illustrated winter 2013 issue (comes out next month) I show how to carve a ball in cage in another cage (I designed that one)! safe carving - joe

I hope this doesn't sound racist or something (it's not supposed to) but when I heard your voice, I could imagine what you looked like even though I have no idea what you look like. Great job I like your tutorials and am looking forward to seeing more :)

where do you get the wood from? store... online...?

Thanks for taking the time to watch and for the comment !

I'm really struggling to carve into the end grain on reach side of rectangle cage, any suggestions??

@MisterSplinters

6 жыл бұрын

Hi so sorry for the late reply. Your. Comment was delivered into my junk folder. End grain can be tough to carve. What kind of knife are you using? Is your knife able to slice through a piece of paper? Where do you live? Cheers Joe

It doesn't matter how you make the large, medium and small templates. As long as they fit in the box so you can check different areas of the ball. For example if you want to check 180 degrees of the balls curve make a large template that will cover 180" of the ball. hope this is coming across clear. Safe carving-joe

Sure - just need a couple of days to send. Safe carving -joe

Thanks for the nice comment Safe carving joe

@squidskunk Thanks for watching and for the + feedback!

Wear can I find a carving glove?

@Blend3d Thanks for watching and for the + feedback!

LOL - I don't hear my accent BUT NO MATTER WHERE I GO OUTSIDE NEW YORK I hear how I have a heavy accent - Thanks Safe carving - joe

Can you list all the tools used in this first part of video?? thx I had trouble to listen to the knifes name, since english is not my first language sorry and great video :D