GGs,

I'm doing the carving (lots of carving) for the Hadley chest I'm building
in a class with Peter Follansbee.

https://picasaweb.google.com/108901587400063562323/CTHistSocietyJoinedC
hest?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMDouOG_0NnOowE&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb
.google.com/108901587400063562323/CTHistSocietyJoinedChest?authuser=0&authkey=Gv
1sRgCMDouOG_0NnOowE&feat=directlink

or

http://bit.ly/1JrRMXD

The center panels have small stamps used for decorative purposes.  As with
everything else in this class, most of us are rolling our own.  I made a
couple of them over the past few days and thought someone might be
interested.  Here's the link to a couple pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108901587400063562323/HadleyChest?authuser
=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNTxq6WumK6sBQ&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/10
8901587400063562323/HadleyChest?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNTxq6WumK6sBQ&feat=dir
ectlink

or

http://bit.ly/1T3WgIg

The ones with the rectangular projections are for stippling the background
around the vines and flowers, while the Maltese cross and the "flower" are
for the panel carvings.

I made the rectangular-projection stamps from salvaged metal given to me by
a fellow classmate and the rod stamps are just cold-rolled steel from the
local hardware store.  I used a feather file, more typically used to
sharpen Japanese dozuki and ryoba saws.  I used a Starrett punch for the
center dimple.  I also tried a very fine triangular saw file, but it was
too much of an angle.  I bought the feather file at Woodcraft.  Lots of
trial and error, followed by grinding down to clean metal and having a go
at it again, and again, and again.  Enjoyable work.

Regards,

Dwight