How to Carve Wood Blocks
Woodcarving is a traditional skill in woodworking. The type of carving found on wood blocks is a specific style of carving called chip carving. Chip carving was common in Sweden during the 18th and 19th centuries. Carving into wood remains an important decorative element on wooden objects found throughout the home, including wooden blocks. Popular designs on wooden blocks include the letters of the alphabet and animals that correspond to the letter. Your creativity is the limit to what you can carve into wooden blocks.
Things You'll Need
- Workbench
- Chip carving knife
- Gouge chisels
- Wood blocks
- Pattern
- Pencil
- Carbon paper
- 120-grit sand paper
- Wood finish
Instructions
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How to Carve Wood Blocks
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1
Place a wood block on the workbench with the side you wish to carve facing up. Put the carbon paper on top of the wood block with the ink side facing down. Place the pattern on top of the carbon paper and trace the pattern with the pencil.
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2
Use the chip carving knife to cut the line portions of the pattern. Hold the knife at approximately a 45-degree angle and cut into the wood following the line. Cut the opposing side of the line at the same angle to remove the wood.
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3
Use the gouge chisels to remove portions of the design that are between lines. The size of the area of wood to be removed will determine the size gouge chisel you will need to use.
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4
Clean up areas around where you have removed wood by using a chip carving knife to cut at a 90-degree angle. Go back and remove any remaining wood with a gouge chisel.
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5
After all of the wood has been removed to create the final design, lightly sand the entire block with 120-grit sand paper.
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6
Apply the wood finish according to the instructions found on the wood finish container.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that your blades are sharp on knife and gouge cutting edges in order to produce clean cuts.
Wear safety glasses when using woodworking hand tools.
Keep your hands out from in front of hand tools to avoid the risk of getting cut if a blade slips.
