It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
https://www.axminster.co.uk/microplane-handled-rasps-package-deal-717368
Followed by lots of sandpaper. And then some more sandpaper. You'll make a real mess of the body to begin with, but trying to make finer cuts as you get closer to the final shape, and then lots of sandpaper should ensure you end up with a nice smooth belly cut. You can also you the cabinet makers scrapers for the finer cutts
I've also got a square version of those microplanes, which I use when I want straight cuts - as you might want for an arm contour. I find them really efficient/effective, though other rasps are available!
For body roundovers, the a router + roundover bit. The bits come in different sizes, so you can apply anything from a barely noticeable to a definite roundover - or even a combined roundover & ledge like this;
I'd not try doing that without a router. Just be extra careful when you get to the horns - there's not so much body there to support the router, so you need to concentrate on keeping it flat and against the body & edge.
They are not the best for the gut cut as it's a concave carve with a flat tool, but you can do them that way at a push, better to use a half round rasp for the deepest section of the cut.
Another method is to draw the outline of the contour on back and side, and saw slots between the two lines. You can then chisel away the excess. Will see if I can find a vid in a mo
Many ways to skin a cat
Instagram
Two things help with this - a flat piece of scrap wood (bit of ply or MDF is fine) as wide as the countour, onto which you can stick sandpaper and use as a big, flat sanding block after you've got close with your rasp. The other thing is a straight-edge. You should be straight - along the width of the contour - from the top of the body all the way down the curve.
As you're sanding, scribble all over the area with pencil so you can see any low spots, feel with your fingertips, remark with pencil, rinse, repeat.
It's very satisfying when it's done - take your time, make sure you know what you're gunning for, mark it out accordingly, keep checking.
I did use a Japanese half round rasp for the cutaway contour I did
(formerly customkits)
You can round the edges with all the above mentioned hand tools too, more labour intensive but if you have immediate access to them why not? A router is undoubtedly the quickest and most consistent method, but they can be big investments.
I use a plane to start my forearm chamfer, then finish off with rasps etc.
A good way to help remove some of the deep gouges left by the rasps is to use a file, you can even be quite detailed in shaping with them. Then you can use 80 grit to sand to shape before moving through the grits. Valid point on sanding blocks too.