[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking.

Baren Digest             Saturday, 30 January 1999     Volume 06 : Number 428

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From: Dick Brook <dickbrook@edit-image-print.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 09:58:25 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2826] RE: Small Dremel Bits and Splinters 

Brenda Romans said:
>I can't comment much on this as I don't have small enough bits to 
>do what I want at the moment.  You need a smaller bit than you think 
>you do.

Dick sez:
Ask your dentist to save you some throwaway bits.  No matter how dull 
a dentist may find them, these castoffs are super sharp at cutting 
the hardest wood and they are TINY.  (Having said this, my teeth 
ache.)


Later, Brenda said:
>Can I cut plywood with an electric jig saw without it splintering? 
> I bought a new hand saw yesterday and it's OK but boy it's hard work.

Dick sez:
Try putting the blade in upside down, so the teeth cut on the DOWN 
stroke.  That won't stop all the splintering because some will still 
result from "uplifting" on the heel of the tooth.  The reason cutting 
with a hand saw makes fewer splinters is because you have to cut on 
the down stroke.  Also, the blade on the electric saw cuts on the 
upstroke so that the tool will hug the object its cutting.  Cutting 
on the down stroke (with the blade reversed) will cause chatter and 
you'll have to press harder to hold the machine down.  (But press too 
hard and the "shoe" surrounding the blade will mar the surface.) 
 Take it slow and the tool will do the job.

Later Brenda said:
> I rubbed the surface of the block hard with a rag but was horrified 
>to find tiny little splinters all over my (new!) roller.  They seemed 
>quite soft and didn't damage it but I'd like to get rid of them on 
>the next block without getting rid of the grain.

Dick sez:
Use air pressure (from a tank or a compressor) and "squirt" the grit 
away.

Dick Brook  

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@islandnet.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 10:31:50 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2827] Re: Small Dremel Bits and Splinters 

Brenda said:
> Can I cut plywood with an electric jig saw without it splintering?

Use a very fine tooth blade ...upside down is good ....if you can.  Metal
cutting blades will do the trick. These come in degrees of teeth size.
Experiment until you find the one that cut and yet does not splinter a lot.
Using masking tape is important as it protects the surface and prevent a
lot a splintering.
I have put the masking tape on the foot of the jig saw which acts as a
buffer of very slight cushion. Two lays is better.  You will not mark the
wood with the vibration of the tool.

>I rubbed the surface of the block hard with a rag but was horrified
>to find tiny little splinters all over my (new!) roller.

Taking sandpaper and carefully rubbing the edge usually takes this off.
Even a finger wapped in tape (for protection) sticky side out works better
that just a blow job.

I can't help you with the Dremel thingie...... I don't believe in
them........Now that sounds like the start of something we can knaw on for
a few postings.

Cheers

Graham

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From: Don Furst <furstd@uncwil.edu>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 14:37:30 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2828] Re: food for thought 

Somebody wrote:
>Dear Don
>Was browsing through an old catalogue that a printmaker friend loaned to me
>and lo and behold, one of your prints. And might I say it was fantastic.
>Although, heavens forbid {it was a lithograph and mezzotint.} and not a
>woodcut.
>Printmaking is pretty wonderful, is'nt it?   

Yes, it is.  Thanks for the compliment. 	Most of my work is in copperplate
mezzotint, although you'll soon have a sample of woodcut via the Baren
Exchange.	

Don 

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From: Gary Luedtke <GLuedtke@compuserve.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:22:55 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2829] RE: Small Dremel Bits and Splinters 

"Can I cut plywood with an electric jig saw without it splintering? "

Yes.   Most jig saw blades are multi-purpose, have a moderate tooth set to
cut a kerf which is actually wider than the blade, to allow the blade to
follow behind the cut with a minimum of friction.   This type of blade
produces a rougher cut and some splintering.    However, they do sell
blades for smooth cutting whose teeth are not set wider than the kerf. 
The only caution here is to keep a sharp blade in the saw or the wood will
begin to scorch  because as it dulls,  it slows down and spends more time
rubbing up and down against the wood at high speed.   So you might want to
pick up a pack of blades right away.  I forget what this particular kind of
blade is called, other than smooth cutting, but most hardware stores ought
to have them.   Also, this type of blade will work better the thinner the
plywood is, as there is less friction.   

Gary

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From: Gary Luedtke <GLuedtke@compuserve.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:56:34 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2830] Re: Small Dremel Bits and Splinters 

 Graham wrote:
>I can't help you with the Dremel thingie...... I don't believe in
>them........Now that sounds like the start of something we can knaw on for
>a few postings. 

O.K., That sounds like my cue, Graham, since Ray isn't here to do the
honors.

Graham is against the use of automation, I have come to surmise.   No
automated light houses, no computers used in art, no electrical equipment
of any kind for block carving, and poor Marnie probably has to use a hammer
and a buck-knife to open a tin of peas for their dinner.   I even begin to
wonder if Graham didn't hew his computer out of a solid chunk of wood!  
Though I must admit, that would be a nice touch.  

But let me spin that coin around and look at the flip side.   I think a
carved block can be a work of art also, and I have a feeling I wouldn't
feel the same way about it if it were just drilled out with a dremel tool

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:14:18 -0600
Subject: [Baren 2831] more about plywood cutting 

Brenda writes:
> Can I cut plywood with an electric jig saw without it splintering?

To add to what others have posted.

Yes, of course but it is tricky and a fine & sharp blade go a long way to
ensuring success. Plywood usually has a good side and a bad side. If you are
dealing with oak, birch, maple  or other hardwood laminates you find the "good"
side is of course the hardwood laminate. Depending on which electric tool you
are using the blade will spin into the plywood in different directions.
Splintering usually occurs when the blade (teeth) exits the wood.

 Example: For circular saws the "good" side must be down (as the blade travels
clockwise and the teeth enter in the good side and exit out the bad side) and
for table saws the "good" side must be up (since the blade travels
counter-clockwise).  I think that's right ;  Matt are you out there ? Help me
out..  Anyways try it and you see what I mean. It makes a ton of difference.
Again a sharp blade with carbide tips is a must for splinter free cutting.
Regular blades take a beating and don't last long with the glue and other stuff
found in plywood.

Another thing you can try is to place (clamp) a thin plywood or veneer on the
side you are getting splinters. As the blade cuts thru your plywood and unto the
"scrap" piece, it  splinters the extra layer of wood/veneer and not your good
plywood.

Julio

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@islandnet.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:32:32 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2832] Re: Small Dremel Bits and Splinters 

Gary wrote:
>Graham is against the use of automation, I have come to surmise.

My Daddy suggested I never surmise, presume, or assume.
Marnie has been reinforcing this for 40 years.

>But let me spin that coin around and look at the flip side.   I think a
>carved block can be a work of art also, and I have a feeling I wouldn't
>feel the same way about it if it were just drilled out with a dremel tool

Right on. Give that guy a cigar. (assuming you smoke cigars)

Cheers

Graham

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@islandnet.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:42:04 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2833] Re: more about plywood cutting 

Julio wrote:
>for table saws the "good" side must be up (since the blade travels
>counter-clockwise).

Nope ...goes clockwise.
If you use this tool use a very fine tooth blade .....like 200 hundred
teeth and you will not get splintering ..... well very little   Oh and cut
it very slowly.

Graham

Merger of Xerox and Wurlitzer:
They're going to make reproductive organs.

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From: baren_member@woodblock.com (Dave)
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 00:49:49 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Baren 2834] Forwarded message ... 

Message posted by: Dave

I received this message a while ago, and think that it may be of
interest to a number of [Baren] members.  Please note that it 
apparently applies only to people resident in 'Pan-Am' countries.

Dave

*** start message ***

Subject: PanAm Print Exhibition
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 10:48:08 +0100
From: TED HOWORTH <thowrth@cc.umanitoba.ca>

This summer,1999, Winnipeg will be the site of the Pan American Games 
and the Manitoba Printmakers Association will be hosting an 
exhibition of prints from the 42 countries of the Americas. 

I would like to announce this up coming print exhibition and send out 
a call for entry. 

If anyone would like more information , a poster or entry form please 
send me your address. 

M.P.A. PanAm Juried Print Exhibition: 
Manitoba Printmakers Association 
July, 1999, <SITE> Gallery, Winnipeg, MB. Canada 

Open to printmakers from the 42 countries of the Americas and the 
Caribbean. 

All print media with the exception of Photography 
Paper or support size must not exceed 11" x 14" (28cm x 36cm) 

$25.00 Canadian permits each artist to submit 3 original prints 
Jurying will be from original work, please do not send slides 

Awards- A minimum of $2,000.00 will be available for 
juror - designated purchases and patron purchases. 

Deadline for submission is May 1, 1999 

Please send submissions to: 

M.P.A. PanAm Print Exhibition 
547 Notre Dame Ave. 
Winnipeg, MB. 
Canada R3B 1S2 

For more information please contact us at the above address or by 
E-mail at thowrth@cc.umanitoba.ca or landin@cc.umanitoba.ca 

*** end message ***

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@islandnet.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 22:25:04 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2835] Re: Forwarded message ... 

>This summer,1999, Winnipeg will be the site of the Pan American Games
>and the Manitoba Printmakers Association will be hosting an
>exhibition of prints from the 42 countries of the Americas.

>All print media with the exception of Photography
>Paper or support size must not exceed 11" x 14" (28cm x 36cm)

I wonder what the thoughts are of others on the Baren....
In the last 6 year I have done 2 pc that would qualify.
Both of these I considered to be souvenirs and not as serious print to the
same extent as my series.

Am I doing stuff too big ????

Graham

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 14:31:17 +0900
Subject: [Baren 2836] The next step for ... 

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was planning a small change in
[Baren] affairs, and perhaps things are now ready.  (I wanted to do
this back in December, just before New Year, but was forced to postpone
for a while ...)

First, a short quote from a [Baren] member:

> Perhaps Baren has become too big and many are looking for 
> technical information.  But in my humble opinion, what makes 
> Baren a special place is the closeness that has grown up
> with the original members.  Even though none, or few, of us 
> has met any of the others, we are a close family.  

It seems that we are indeed, something of a 'family', or anyway friends.
But there is one important thing here that needs some attention - although 
the members are indeed becoming friends, friends don't just always talk
about 'business' together, there are times for business, and times for
fun.  

The company where I used to work was a great example.  We were all
out-of-work musicians who needed money to pay the rent.  Working at a
music store was the 'best' solution.  We were great friends, and always
wanted to gab about our music.  But during 'working hours' we had to
keep that to a minimum obviously.  But once six o'clock came around,
over to the pub we went ...   We knew how to work together, and play
together - but those activities took place in separate environments.  
This doesn't mean that the daytime was all 'serious'.  Hell no, that
music store was a riot of jokes and bizarre conversations ... but all
conducted within a framework of work being done.

Because of course, the boss was always there to keep things in line. 
Whenever things started to get a bit too wild we would hear something
like ... "OK you guys, maybe you could _pretend_ to get a bit of work
done in the next hour or so ...?"    And we would of course get back 'in
line'.   It really was a nifty place to work.

[Baren] I think ... is something like that place.  Plenty of room for
joking around and friendly banter ... but underneath that, a solid core
of information about woodblock printmaking.

I'm sure you agree with me 100% so far ...

Well then, how about that sentence I just wrote: 
>But once six o'clock came around, over to the pub we went ... 

In _there_ of course, we could talk about anything, do anything, and 
none of us was worried about whether or not the discussions were
'permitted', or appropriate for the work place. And it is _there_ in
the pub that the friendships really developed, and we learned a lot 
about each other.

I want to have such a 'pub' for [Baren] too.  I'd like to hear from Greg
what it's like living in Uganda ...  I want to hear from David Stones 
about how he was able to find that old farmhouse he lives in down
there in the country ...  Graham has a million stories to tell us, I'm
sure ...  A bunch of people would like to hear about my visit with the
Emperor a couple of weeks ago ...

These are conversations that friends _should_ be having with each other, 
but we simply can't chat like that out on the forum itself, or it would
become so cluttered up with that stuff that its basic value as a 
forum for woodblock printmaking would be lost.

OK, have I convinced you yet?  It's time for [Baren After Five] ... a
parallel 'list', where those members who want to talk about such things
can do so to their heart's content, without _any_ fear of being
'off-topic', or of getting in 'trouble' with the list-owner.  Some of
the current members wouldn't dream of joining [After Five].  No problem.  
They can 'stay' on the main list, where the printmaking discussions
will of course continue.  But I suspect that a bunch of members 
_would_ decide to also add a subscription to [After Five].  

[Baren] cannot be everything to everybody, but there is no reason that
it can't be _something_ for everybody.  I want to eventually build 
[Baren]  into a 'convention' - a convention that is in permanent session, 
and which anybody can attend.  The main list will continue as it is, a
friendly place to exchange information about woodblock printmaking.
But as the group grows into the hundreds of members range it must be 
added to with 'sister' lists that focus on specific topics: presswork, 
inks, business affairs, Japanese methods, etc. etc.,.  And running 
alongside all these forums, would be the 'pub' - [Baren After Five] - 
the social circle of the [Baren] convention.  


[After Five] doesn't need a 'heavy' moderator, but it does need somebody 
to watch over things, and make sure that there isn't any flaming or back-
stabbing going on.  I have been talking with somebody about this job, and
am pleased to announce that Ray, having been ordered to 'take things easy'
for a while, is ready to be the 'host' of the new list.

Please understand this: By setting up this new arena for discussions, we
_don't_ mean that nobody on [Baren] can ever tell another joke, or make 
another jab ...  Of course, such things will of course continue.  Graham's
little clip today about Xerox was one of the highlights of my morning (I
copied it and sent it over to my father right away) - _nothing_ in this 
line should change at all.

It's just as I said about the music store - it was a funny and
entertaining place to work.  We don't want to alter the mood of [Baren]
one whit ... just provide an _extra_ place where people can talk about
_anything_ without worrying about whether or not it is 'off-topic' or
not, or whether or not Dave is getting upset about it ...

Access, etc:

Go to the updated [Baren] web site:
http://www.woodblock.com/forum
and head for the 'General Information' section.  There you will find
a link to subscription 'forms'.

[Baren After Five] will not be archived, and is available as either
'regular'  or 'digest' subscriptions.

New alternate posting method:
At the same time as this new list is coming into existence, I have also
added another option in the way that you may post your messages 
(both for After Five, and for the main forum).  A number of members 
have had trouble with wierdly formatted email, etc.  From now on, you 
may make postings right there from the [Baren] web site if you wish, 
bypassing your email program entirely.  (This will also have the effect
of keeping your email address private, in case you are worried about
'spam', etc.)

In the 'Posting Messages' section you will find the addresses and links
you need.

If you do wish to post from the web site, you will need to remember an 
ID and password (this is necessary to keep outsiders from 'mail-bombing'
the list). 

ID:    XXXXX
Password:    XXXXX

***

I look forward to seeing what develops ...

Bottoms up!

Dave

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End of Baren Digest V6 #428
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