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Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Oct 31, 2004 9:13pm
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This is the board to discuss stamp carving materials, techniques, and styles. Learn from the best and join their ranks!
what? no carving posts?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Dec 29, 2004 9:26pm
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I can't believe nobody has posted yet on stamp carving! I will start one off. So are any of you like me--full of plans each winter to spend the cold, snowy days carving so you have tons of boxes to plant, only to get busy and kick yourself in the spring when you don't have a treasure trove of new boxes? If anyone has a solution to find more time for the carving, let me know! (okay, I guess leaving my office before dark might be a good start!)

Cadenza
Re: what? no carving posts?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1519 by Cadenza
Dec 29, 2004 10:57pm
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Eventually, people will come. Look! You're already the first! =)

I'm usually in the habit of carving stamps as I need them. I'd bet 90% of them are carved within 24 hours of when I plant them. I do have a few I carved as a stock pile for while hiking the Appalachian Trail that I never got around to hiding and they still lurk in my stock pile drawer, however. I've been known to dip into that supply when I'm REALLY desperate for a stamp to hide. =)

But then, why do I need to go carving stamps when I can work on this website instead? It makes a great little winter project! ;o)

-- Ryan
Re: what? no carving posts?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1519 by Cadenza
Dec 30, 2004 10:08am
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Quote If anyone has a solution to find more time for the carving, let me know!

I need a solution for finding less time for carving. My box of stamps just gets fuller and fuller, the books by my bedside don't get read and dinner is late. It's simple! Just neglect all the things you '"should" be doing and you'll have plenty of time for carving. Funhog
Re: what? no carving posts?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1521 by Funhog
Dec 30, 2004 11:55am
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QuoteIf anyone has a solution to find more time for the carving, let me know!

I need a solution for finding less time for carving. My box of stamps just gets fuller and fuller, the books by my bedside don't get read and dinner is late. It's simple! Just neglect all the things you '"should" be doing and you'll have plenty of time for carving. Funhog

RETIRE!!
Don
Re: what? no carving posts?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1524 by Don and Gwen
Dec 31, 2004 3:04pm
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Don-If it means more fishing/kayaking/letterboxing trips with you and Gwen, I'm in! Although, at 30, I'm not so sure how long the retirement could last. Maybe I better rethink this. Funhog's solution might work better in the short run :) Oh, and Ryan, I think my carvings are a lot like your's--carved the day before. I have a few dandys I put more time into before, but most of the general ones I carved for later planting ended up floating around in my supplies box.

Cadenza

see ya!
Cadenza
where to keep carving supplies
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Dec 31, 2004 3:10pm
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The last post got me thinking about how I saw Don's nifty old cigar box that he kept his carving tools and such in. Are you still using that? It seems like the last time I saw you, you had something else.

That box inspired me to start using a fun French military first aid kit that I got at the local Army/Navy surplus store. It is heavy duty and has metal ring handles that lay flat on the sides when not being used. I'm not sure how old it is, but the label inside looks pretty old. It has been a fun and unique place to keep my stuff, use as a carving surface when I'm not at a table, etc.

I'm curious if others have found fun places to stash their stuff?

Cadenza
Re: what? no carving posts?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1533 by Cadenza
Jan 1, 2005 8:41am
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Now don't try to tell me that your Yankee Canyon series was carved the day before. I think they come under the title of your"dandies".

Don
Re: where to keep carving supplies
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1534 by Cadenza
Jan 1, 2005 8:43am
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The last post got me thinking about how I saw Don's nifty old cigar box that he kept his carving tools and such in. Are you still using that? It seems like the last time I saw you, you had something else.

I'm still using the cigar box, but it seems as though I need an annex now.

Don
Re: where to keep carving supplies
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1537 by Don and Gwen
Jan 1, 2005 9:34pm
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I had a nice box. But um...
I used it for a letterbox. =0) It would of been nice for my carving blades too.

~~Dawn ...The Orlando Knit Wit
#1 Speedball blades
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jan 2, 2005 12:11pm
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I think I posted this somewhere else, but thought I should share it again. I generally use speedball blades exclusively, and played around with a #1 blade to get really thin lines. After several tries I was able to squeeze a blade down by inserting a knife blade in the groove of a number 1 and adjusting some vise grips to gently squeeze it down without crushing it. I went through a few without using the knife blade and that did not work. I'm not sure how it works on anything but PZ Kut.

Don
needles
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jan 2, 2005 6:27pm
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Has anybody used the large-gauge hypodermic needles to carve with? I bought some and tried it, but didn't like it. I was wondering if maybe I was doing something wrong.

DebBee
Re: needles
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1557 by DebBee
Jan 2, 2005 8:56pm
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Quote Has anybody used the large-gauge hypodermic needles to carve with?


I don't know what gauge they are, but I did pick up a small supply of needles, but I haven't had much luck carving anything with them. Feels too much like an X-acto knife--which I was never very good with in the first place. I like the carving tools that scoop material out rather than just slice it in ways that require multiple cuts to get the material out.

I haven't tried shaping those #1 nibs into smaller cutting pieces and giving that a try, but it is on my to-do list!

But to make a long story short--if you're doing something wrong, so am I! =)

-- Ryan
Re: #1 Speedball blades
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1551 by Don and Gwen
Jan 3, 2005 9:56am
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Those must be reallly thin lines. They don't just fill up with ink and disappear?

Scarab
Re: needles
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1557 by DebBee
Jan 3, 2005 10:11am
Thread Board (disabled)
large-gauge hypodermic needles to carve with?

I know that ScoutDogs uses needles. She did the traveling event stamp of the LbNA map which has very tiny details. She has something about it on her web site:

http://www.scoutdogsboxes.com/shopping_page.html

She just says she uses the needle as a "very tiny knife". I imagine you could only use this effectively on good rubber, like PZ Kut, and while using a magnifying glass.

Fortunately I have intensely magnifying eyes without my glasses on. I can read microtype on a dollar bill. I just need a good light source. But that doesn't mean I have the skill of the patience for that kind of photographic quality carving.

Scarab
Re: needles
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1565 by Scarab
Jan 3, 2005 11:08am
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I found the needles I had didn't seem very sharp. Not sure if it was the needles, or the carving medium, or just me. I'm just glad I'm not one of the animals who has to have these things jabbed into them. Seems like it'd be like getting an injection with a stick sharpened by a Boy Scout with a penknife!

DebBee
Re: #1 Speedball blades
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1564 by Scarab
Jan 3, 2005 11:52am
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Those must be reallly thin lines. They don't just fill up with ink and disappear?

No, but then I'm using PZ Kut. I would think other carving mediums would be different.
Don
Re: needles
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1566 by DebBee
Jan 3, 2005 11:56am
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I found the needles I had didn't seem very sharp.

I keep a small whet stone in my carving kit, and always sharpen blades prior and during carving. I don't use needles but that should work for them as well.

Don
Re: needles
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1566 by DebBee
Jan 3, 2005 12:38pm
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Quote I'm just glad I'm not one of the animals who has to have these things jabbed into them.


I'm a regular pro at getting things jabbed into me. =) I've probably had hundreds of needles stuck into my arms. Not really a big deal after the first dozen or two times.

At last count, I've donated blood/platelets/plasma about 70-80 times. The old platelet machines were the worst--they stuck you twice for each donation--one to draw blood from one arm, then another to return the non-useful blood back in the other arm.

Lots of fun, though. =)

Last time I donated blood (last week), I surfed Atlas Quest a bit and found a couple of minor errors that I was able to fix after walking back home. =)

-- Ryan
Re: one more thing
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1571 by System
Jan 3, 2005 2:58pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Are you using PZcut, as well? I primarily use MasterCarve, after trying a few other brands, but have never tried PZcut.
Artdog
Re: needles
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1565 by Scarab
Jan 3, 2005 3:14pm
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Quote Fortunately I have intensely magnifying eyes without my glasses on. I can read microtype on a dollar bill. I just need a good light source.


I, too, can see every bit of type on a dollar bill. However, I am so danged excited by my new magnifying lamp that I can hardly leave the house! This is the one tool that any carver, no matter whether they prefer needles, knives or gouges or how good their eyesight, will absolutely LOVE.

This lamp has taken the quality of my carving to the next level. Thank you, Brian of TGD, for recommending that I spend the whopping sixteen bucks for one if these! There's nothing like the right tool for the right job...

Incidentally, I think there is no 'best' tool or media for stamp carving. I have seen top quality work done on everything from a Pink Pearl eraser to funky flooring salvaged at the dump. The same goes for the tools. Try them all and you will surely find your favorites. This is one place where I believe the dictum, "there are no rules!" Funhog
Re: needles - microtype
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1576 by Funhog
Jan 3, 2005 7:15pm
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I, too, can see every bit of type on a dollar bill.

Oh, I have to challenge you there, to be sure. Do you know what the microtype is?

On the front of a new $20, in the bottom left, between the big number 20 and Jackson's shoulder, it says, "The United States of America 20 USA 20 USA 20." Can you see that? No one else I know can see it without a magnifier, so it would be cool if you could.

Nite Owl uses a magnifier lamp on a swivel arm. Best gift we ever had for carving. I use it for the light, and not the magnifier. I may use it when I get more detailed.

Scarab of the Doubtful Guests
"who wants to see Funhog's next level work"
Re: needles - microtype
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1587 by Scarab
Jan 3, 2005 9:14pm
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Holy Magnifier, Batman! You're absolutely right. There's no way I cold ever see those little bitty letters without magnification. Thanks for telling us about them. I'm sure it's knowledge that will be good for a five buck wager in a smoky dive late at night someday. Funhog
Land of the Yankee Fork Series
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1536 by Don and Gwen
Jan 5, 2005 4:26pm
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Quote Now don't try to tell me that your Yankee Canyon series was carved the day before. I think they come under the title of your"dandies".


Okay, you got me there. There are several that I specifically carved things out for the theme and location then went back to plant. That was one. Chief Joseph was another. I had that for a long time and wanted to plant it on the Nez Perce trail to fit with the history. I do enjoy putting a really nice carving in a fun historical spot. I like the boxes with a story. I've also started a childrens books series that I have no idea where to plant yet. Where my carvings drift into neverland is when I carve generic stamps that could go anywhere. I tend to have those forever. That's the black hole of my carving stash. Thanks for the compliment, by the way.

Cadenza
needles, carving medium, and such
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jan 5, 2005 4:52pm
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I'm a couple days behind the topic, but I'll add my two cents.

I've used needles many times. I have actually quite liked them, but I only use them on very small detail that is too intricate for me to want to try the speedball or an x-acto. If I use them for too long my fingers hurt. I haven't had a problem with them not being sharp. I used them like a small knife. I think I used the 18 and 20 guage. I just went to the farm supply store and got a bunch. They were only about 20 cents each!

I do agree with many of the others though. I much prefer to use the speedball nibs (except for my frustration with their consistency in the quality of the nibs). I find them to be much more convenient and I'm surprised just how detailed I can be with them. I'll have to try your suggestion Don.

If you are curious, here is a scan of one stamps I carved with the needle. I am still looking for its LB home though. I don't want to lose this one. It will go in my childrens series (I was an Anne of Green Gables nut while I was a kid).
http://www.geocities.com/jjriska/carvings.html

I also prefer to carve on PZcut. It is smooth but durable. I haven't had the same consistency with the pink stuff. When they Stampeaz was going out of business, I bought about $70 worth of it in one fell swoop so that I wouldn't run out for a while. I felt silly, but I probably would have bought more if I had the money. I laughed when someone announced a week later that they bought Stampeaz. I should have carving stuff for a while though, so no loss!

ps. ryan, I was starting to get ideas when you said you had so many needles in your arm! Then I decided it was a good reason :) I'm a holiday hero donor myself for the Red Cross. I go about every two months, but they hate me b/c of stubborn, hiding veins. If I didn't have a somewhat rarer blood type, they'd kick me out on some days!
Re: needles, and blood donor
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1629 by Cadenza
Jan 5, 2005 7:00pm
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Quote I'm a holiday hero donor myself for the Red Cross. I go about every two months


Um, off topic, but I donated last night and they were surprised it only took 3 minutes for me to fill it. The needle must have liked my veins.

Scarab
my first attempt at carving
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jan 22, 2005 10:36pm
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i made my first personal traveller!!! i scanned a print and uploaded it to my profile...
let me know what you think!!

alysonwonderland
Black or White?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jan 23, 2005 4:04am
Thread Board (disabled)
When you prepare an image for carving do you prepare it so you will carve away the black that is transferred to the rubber or do you carve away the white or pink to leave the black area for the image?

Just curious what others do. I carve away the white area and leave the black so that I can always see the image I am carving. Sometimes you miss a little when carving though and have to clean the stamp up after you make that first impression.

BBB
Re: my first attempt at carving
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1900 by Alyson Wonderland
Jan 23, 2005 6:01am
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Alysonwonderland,

Very cute!

Amyrica
Re: Black or White?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1901 by Boxing Bee Bunch
Jan 23, 2005 9:06am
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Quote When you prepare an image for carving do you prepare it so you will carve away the black that is transferred to the rubber or do you carve away the white or pink to leave the black area for the image?


Usually I carve away the white, but not always, and sometimes when I transfer I only outline the black which leaves a white area that actually would be considered black in the image. That can be confusing at first, but I have become used to that. I have to clean my stamps up several times-stamping-cleaning-stamping-cleaning. I have found that a small toothbrush works pretty well for a final scrubbing. At that point I figure if the stamp can not take a good scrubbing, then it won't hold up to much use.
Don