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Whittling Pencils – An Beginner's Guide



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Whittling pencils make it easy to personalize your wood carvings. The introductory guide shows you how to create Uncle Sam, Santas, Leprechauns, or Santa Claus using a variety tools. The pencils include clear instructions with step-by-step photographs. Additionally, the author offers tips on choosing the right micro-mini carving tools. He also provides tips for choosing the best pencil size and discusses basic painting and beards.

Dale Vander Linden

Despite his age, 81-year-old Dale Vander Linden is still carving pencils. He has been making them for more than 60 years and was even a US Navy veteran during the Korean War. Vander Linden was survived by his wife Cherry, his sons Stephen (and JoAnne) and brother Pete. His parents Guy Vander Linden and Katie Vander Linden were also his predeceased, as well as his brothers Ern (Don) and Keith.


Dale Vander Linden's whittling pencils

Dale Vander Linden frequently uses rolling pins or pencils to carve his Santa Claus. He spends his days carving Santa Claus Claus with pencils and other materials at 81 years of age. Although many might be tempted by a toolkit for carving Santa Claus, he prefers to use his rolling pin.

Wood carving techniques

You can create unique pencils by using a variety of wood carving techniques. Natural oils are one of your best options for finishing wood carvings. Natural oils are a good way to protect wood from dirt and moisture. They also give wood a sheen that allows the eye to see the form. Gloss varnish is not recommended as it can create a shiny, distorted surface which will confuse the observer. Another technique is the application of wax. This gives pencils an elegant, soft sheen. This technique is ideal for indoor carvings.


The wood type that you choose should be based on the type of carving you plan to do. You will need a wood that is finely textured and has little figure. Fine detail may be difficult to read if there is a lot of figure. You have now chosen the wood. Next is choosing the right tools. Safety goggles are required, along with Kevlar-based work gloves. These will protect your hands against wood chips and prevent you from scratching the wood.

sanding edges of whittling and pencils


woodworking shop setup

Wood carving is an extremely popular form of decoration. This involves carving a tablet or plaque out of wood. This can make the product look more polished. These pencils can be very useful, regardless of the purpose. The edges of the pencils must be sanded first to create a smooth surface.

Begin by creating divots within the graphite core. After you have done this, you can then use a number 2 pencil to make your marks. Continue the process until your pencil is perfect. Hot-melt glue can be used to seal the pencil tip.


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FAQ

What wood items do well?

Wood that has been harvested sustainably is the best-selling type of wood.

Most furniture is made from oak, maple, mahogany or walnut.

These woods not only have great strength, but also beautiful patterns and colors. They also last for many years if cared for properly.

To prevent moisture damage, wood furniture should always first be painted. This applies to all surfaces including drawers, doors, handles, and handles.

Choose a paint with water resistance if you want furniture to last as long possible.

You should use a high-quality oil-based primer followed by two coats of top coat. It is possible to apply multiple coats depending on how heavy the wear.

Avoid spray cans and aerosol paints. These products contain solvents which evaporate quickly and leave behind harmful fumes.


Where can you find free woodworking blueprints?

You don't need to purchase any books or magazines to find free woodworking plans. You only need to Google search. Just enter "free woodworking" into the search bar, and you'll see hundreds of websites where you can download free plans.


How long does it take you to finish a piece?

It depends on what size piece of furniture you have. For smaller projects such as picture frames and boxes, it can take less than a day to complete. Larger projects such as tables and desks can take several days to complete. It takes time to stain and seal the wood properly.



Statistics

  • Overall employment of woodworkers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. (bls.gov)
  • In 2014, there were just over 237,000 jobs for all woodworkers, with other wood product manufacturing employing 23 percent; wood kitchen cabinets and countertop manufacturing employing 21 percent. (theartcareerproject.com)
  • Most woodworkers agree that lumber moisture needs to be under 10% for building furniture. (woodandshop.com)
  • Woodworkers on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $24,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $108,000. (zippia.com)



External Links

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How To

How to stain wood

Staining wood can be described as a process where chemicals are applied to the wood surface. This causes the wood to take on a new color. This chemical reaction causes wood to turn from whiteish to brownish. Although oak is the most popular type of wood to stain, there are many other types that can be used.

There are several ways to apply stains to wood surfaces. Some methods involve mixing the stain with a solvent (such as turpentine) and then brushing or spraying the mixture onto the wood. Others use a solution made up of water and dye, which is then applied directly onto the wood. It is possible to mix stain into varnishes and paints, making it part of the finishing coat.

Preparing the surface is the most important step in staining wooden surfaces. Clean the wood to get rid of any grease, dirt or other substances that might be detrimental to the stain's application. Sanding the wood smooths out rough spots and scratches. The next step is to choose the stain type you want. There are two types of stains that can be used: penetrating and non-penetrating. Penetrating colors penetrate deeper into wood than those that are non-penetrating. This makes them more suitable for darker colors, such as mahogany. Non-penetrating oils work best when used with light colors, like maple.

After you've decided what type of stain to apply, get ready for your tools. A paintbrush works well for applying stains because it allows you to spread the liquid evenly across the surface. You should also have some handy rags to wipe up excess stains after you finish painting. If you plan to mix the stain yourself, make sure you have enough containers available to hold the different components of the mixture.

After you have prepared your materials, clean the area you intend to stain. Use soap and warm water to remove dust and grime. You can wipe down the entire furniture using a damp rag with clean water. Make sure you eliminate any loose debris, especially if you plan to stain darker wood.

The stain should be applied next. The stain can be applied by spraying or brushing the stain onto one end of the furniture. Work slowly and carefully, moving back and forth along the grain of the wood until you reach the opposite end. The stain should not drip off of the wood's edge. Before moving on to the next steps, allow the stain drying completely.

Clear polyurethane is used to protect the painted surfaces. Apply three coats polyurethane sealer. Let the third coat dry overnight before you sand the final coat.




 



Whittling Pencils – An Beginner's Guide