Benzart, thanks again for all the nifty tool info, I'll search the Toolz thread when I get into a position to buy a micro-motor or other item. You're saying this is a Small head? Wow, thanks.
Seeksurf, thanks for liking the stain. I will probably hit it with some fine sandpaper and rebuff to change the look a tad.
TikiG, thanks for the comments. I'll send a few your way one of these days.
Kirby, following your thread, it is easy to see how you missed mine... USB pendant, commemorative CD work, losing a Rumpus Room alumni. Thanks for the peek.
Grog, thanks. Now if Grog could only send me his dino bones (a la Flintstones)from dinner or his lunch, I would be set for life.
I remembered to take some in-process photos today, and thought I would share a little bit more about how I go about this.
After I do a few hours of research on a style I want to do and sketch it a few times, I redraw the design on my bone and hack-off the unused bits with a pull saw. As you can see, I decided to do another Maori design, this time it is a Manaia. I like the fact that there's isn't a "set look" for this, as long as you have the eye present.
Once I have the basic working piece, I hit the bench grinder to get the outside shape about 90% complete. This creates the most amount of dust, and if I had a coping saw or a band saw, this would go a lot faster and there would be way less dust.
I'm between jobs right now, so my disposable income is very non-disposable at the moment, but I was able to buy this small set of burrs and grinders from Lowe's for about $12... my price range. Sizes range from 1/8" down to 1/32" I think.
I use an 1/8" ball burr to hog-out all the interior cavities. My work surface is a piece of plywood across my lap as I sit in an old metal desk chair. My neck loves me.
Presto! Through the magic of modern technology, I'm mostly done with all the interior work, at least 75% of it. Now comes the really fun stuff, I get to switch between different burrs, grinders, and chucks about 1 million times to finish off the piece.
My helper dog, Matai, loves to just sit near my feet when I am doing anything, I swear he's part cat. I imagine all the bone dust I create must be like cocaine for the dog, he'll lick my feet and shins clean of the dust.
Pupule Tiki!
[ Edited by: TikiMango 2009-06-02 13:53 ]
