How to Carve Scallop Shells
Adding decorative details -- like scallop shells -- to woodworking projects can take a piece from plain to exquisite. You can carve directly on a piece, but if you make a mistake, you have to start over -- instead of just remaking the particular detail. To avoid this, use an applique, which can be small and simple or much larger and very complex. Use Swiss-type chisels, which are precision tools made for intricate carving, where the first number designates the shape of the chisel and the second number is the width in millimeters.
Things You'll Need
- Image of scallop
- Scissors
- Glue
- 5/8-inch thick piece of wood
- 2/19 chisel
- 2/5 chisel
- 12/6 V-tool
- Sandpaper
- Pencil
- Non-corrugated cardboard
- Mallet
- Band saw
Instructions
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1
Find an image of a symmetrical decorative scallop on the Internet or in a book, and print it the same size as the applique you plan to carve. Trim the print so it's roughly the shape of the scallop and glue it to the wood.
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2
Rough-cut the wood blank to the shape of the scallop with the band saw. Glue the bottom of the wood blank to a slightly larger piece of non-corrugated cardboard, and then glue the cardboard to a larger board to secure it during carving. Allow the glue to dry.
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3
Clamp the large piece of wood to the table.
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4
Determine the high point for the shell about one-third from the hinge side and place a mark on the paper template. Chisel around the outside of the shell, always trimming slightly downward using the 2/19 chisel and the hammer.
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5
Move inward, working chiseling toward the edge of the shell until you reach your high point, which should be about 3/16-inch thick while the edge of the shell is one-quarter of that thickness.
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6
Impress the wood along the lines of the scallop near the hinge by applying moderate hand pressure straight down with the 2/19 chisel.
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7
Cut around the rounded bump in the center of the hinge using the 2/5 chisel.
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8
Cut the hinge out using the 2/19 chisel, the 2/5 chisel and the mallet. Cut away wood until the hinge is about the same height as the edge of the shell.
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9
Carve from the high point designated earlier back toward the hinge, slanting the surface down from the high point. Clean up the edge of the shell so it is the shape of the scallop.
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10
Use a pencil and straight edge to draw a line down the center of the scallop. Draw six lines, evenly dividing the shell from the decorative ball that was chiseled earlier to the edge. Repeat on the other side of the scallop.
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11
Carve along the lines using the 12/6 V-tool. This V-tool makes a V-shaped cut and is 6-mm wide. Start shallowly near the center and work deeper along the edges.
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12
Round your fluting with the 2/5 chisel and sand the curves smooth.
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13
Cut a curved divot out of the edges of the shell at the end of each line with the 2/5 chisel.
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14
Remove the shell from the board by inserting a wide chisel under the side and tapping it lightly with the mallet to split the cardboard. Rub the cardboard off the back of the shell by rubbing it on a piece of sandpaper.
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15
Sand the edges of the shell with sandpaper to smooth out the divots.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Make shallow cuts and trim more off later as needed.
Keep your hands clear of the sharp ends of the chisel.
Wear safety goggles while carving.
