CNC and Handwork

[Brian Harnett]

I have been combining hand carving actually chainsaw work to a lot of the signs I do.

After getting into chainsaw carving in 2007 I added the rustic look to my signs they seem to have more appeal in thiis area than smoothly machined ones.

The oak leaf panel was mounted on a ceiling with lights mounted to it
My bot is an older 2003 PRT I bought new back then
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Mix/Maguires%20sign/IMG_1587.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Mix/Maguires%20sign/IMG_1592.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Mix/Maguires%20sign/IMG_1603.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Mix/IMG_0132.jpg

[Brian Harnett]

Another sign for my carving shop and some plaques.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Signs/DSCN0175.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Mix/drag2.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Mix/drag3.jpg

[garyb]

Some great pieces, nice combination of tooling there Brian.
also good to see that not all artistry is lost to machine :)
How much time in you're "Moonlight Hollow" sign
Gary

[Brian Harnett]

Gary

The moonlight hollow sign has about 1 1/2 hours of hand work and at least 2 hours in finishing time.

I would say total time invested is 8 to ten hours, the wood for the sign I milled from logs I get. That time along with glue up is in that figure. I usually work on multiple project so I don't have a linear time line, and am too disorganized to write it all down.

[danhamm]

NIce stuff Brian, Ive looked in on your site many times over the years..
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Brian Harnett]

Thanks Dan, merry Christmas.

[myxpykalix]

Brian,
I doubt that you could cut that on the shopbot in 8 hours so you must work pretty fast and it looks great, only one question......

Do you still have 10 fingers and 10 toes?:eek:

[jimboy]

Cool Stuff - Excellent
Jim

[Brian Harnett]

Brian,
I doubt that you could cut that on the shopbot in 8 hours so you must work pretty fast and it looks great, only one question......

Do you still have 10 fingers and 10 toes?:eek:

Relief cutting with a chainsaw set up with a carving bar goes fast I have done many without lettering so it comes as second nature.

I cut myself a lot more when I hand carved, I do wear protective gear and a respirator.

I respect the tool and if I feel tired I stop.

[ssflyer]

That's excellent, Brian!

I wish I had the time to learn chainsaw carving, but I'd need a couple of extra chainsaws - I don't think my big Stihl would give me the detail...:o

[CNYDWW]

If i could carve with a chainsaw like that. I'd make samples, send them to Brady for laser scanning then sell the models online to the rest of us. Sometimes customers want that rustic look that we can't produce to readily. Vector art 3D, logger style. :D

[Brian Harnett]

Here are a few of the tools I use for texturing, The saw has what is called a carving bar the tip is much smaller than a stock chainsaw.

Die grinder with carbide flame tip I have a bunch of bits but this one is my favorite.

Flap sanding wheel made from belt sander paper I use belts that have worn out or broken to make these flap sanding really softens the overall effect I use them in a 800 rpm drill.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Homemade%20carving%20tools/IMG_2268.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Homemade%20carving%20tools/IMG_2270.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/Homemade%20carving%20tools/flapsanders.jpg

[Brian Harnett]

Another Piece made for a church, I used hand chisels for effect on this
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/DSCN2475.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/Wood%20Carvings/DSCN2492.jpg

[mtylerfl]

Brian, I love your work. Thank you for sharing all the photos - very inspiring!

[joe]

Brian,

Thank you for sharing. I'm also amazed at your creative work. Please keep the carving coming our way.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[Brian Harnett]

Here is a before and after 2d on bot then shaped with the saw.

Tinted with mica powders something I learned from a Joe Crumley post years ago
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/misc/drag1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/misc/drag5.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/brianharnett/misc/drag6.jpg

[joe]

Thanks so much for showing your carving techniques and painting techniques. Like you I seldom complete a project without hand work. Even a small amount brings a sign to a higher level. Sometimes it only takes a few brush strokes or a little outline to bring a project to life.

Keep up the good work.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/jcrumley1/BBrosesandwirecopycopy.jpg

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[mikeacg]

Brian,
Thanks for sharing your unique pieces!

OK Joe! You got my attention! What are the flowers made out of?

Mike

[myxpykalix]

Brian,
If you ever have the time or inclination, i'd like to see 2 of the same design (like the 2 dagons above) one made strictly by hand and one made solely by the bot and compare the cut time and results.

I'll bet the hand one takes less time to complete:D

good work, you should be proud!:)

[chiloquinruss]

"You got my attention! " Mine too! :) Russ

[joe]

I'm so glad to see interest with a little hands on craftsmanship. I've seldom seen machine carving that couldn't be improved with a little hand work. It gives a human touch and doesn't look as mechanical. It's possible to breath life into your work, like Brian has done, with the human touch.

The rose pedals were made with Magic Sculpt. It's a two part epoxy putty and has a generious setup time. Usually over night. Each of my pedals was made by rolling out the putty, like pie dough, and shaping them around a wooden dowel. It's fun and easy.

Www.magic-sculpt.com

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/jcrumley1/BBRosescopy.jpg



Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[Brian Harnett]

Great idea on the flowers, I may get some of that Magic Sculpt, what are the stems? Looks like copper in the pic.

When I first got my Bot in 2003 I tried to make it do it all, and I realized I spent more time designing than I could just do by hand, most of my pieces are custom so why spend a load of design time if the human computer can do it faster.

I have certain pieces for repeat the bot is great for those and my furniture.

[myxpykalix]

Joe,
In your semi retirement i think we see a new profession for you.....
a cake decorator! Those flowers and petals look great:)

[joe]

Brian,

Materials like Magic Sculpt are available through Taxidermy outlets. You may find some at one of your local shops. Epoxy putty is a regular material in this trade. That's what I used for the Long Horn on the sign below.

It's a select number of CNC folks who create custom work. Most of what I see coming directly from a machine is too rigid. It's like listening to the player piano. Not much soul in that kind of of music. I've always felt it necessary to attempt to breath life into a project. Trying to get away from the mechanical look. It doesn't take much effort to keep the rigors of mortise from setting in. But it takes practice and mistakes are going to happen.

For me it's like playing the piano. You're going to make lots of mistakes, but that's what it takes to accomplish the skill. I'm making mistakes all the time. It's the price one pays to learn.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/jcrumley1/Grain-4.jpg

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[Rick W]

I love this thread!!! Joe you are an inspiration, Brian as well!!!

You guys are great, keep the stories coming.

Rik

[mtylerfl]

Beautiful work on the rose petals and signs, Joe! That Magic-Sculpt is fun stuff alright!