May 22, 2022 by carverdale

Construct a Golf Ball Bottle Stopper

If you are familiar with my blog, you know I have spent a lot of time working with golf balls. I recently had a request to describe the method I use to convert a ball into a bottle stopper. The ball can be carved or just left intact. If you have a “logo” ball from an event or favorite club, this method will work to add it to your bar-wear collection.

These are the parts we will use.

I found these small wooden saucers at a wood products company that is no longer in business. You can turn your own or find a substitute to make the transition from cork to ball. You may find someone online that sells these or something similar. You also have the option to skip this transition piece and put the cork against the ball.

Because of the danger in hand-holding a small part when using a power tool, I made a more secure holding jig. Mark the center of the saucer. Place it into the jig and drill a 3/8 inch (6mm) hole through the saucer.

Place the saucer on the ball so the carving or logo is is positioned for the best angle for viewing.

If the cover is available for a carved ball, place it in it’s original location to provide better control when drilling. I rest the ball in the cork jig to stabilize it even further when drilling. More about the cork jig later. Position the ball and saucer so the drill bit follows the hole in the saucer.

The hole depth is your decision. The diameter of the dowel matches the 3/8″ (6mm) hole size.

Click here to see the process I use to prepare a number 8 cork.

Test fit all pieces. To add strength to the the joint, I like to scuff the ball surface where the saucer contacts the ball. Apply a finish to the saucer. When the finish is thoroughly dry, apply epoxy to the dowel as each component is added.

Follow the directions on the glue package and wait for the glue to fully cure before putting your stopper to use.

July 1, 2017 by carverdale

Carving Foam

Last month I met an artist from a nearby Ohio town. When he learned I was a woodcarver, he asked if I had ever tried carving high-density urethane. I’ve carved the rubber centers in golf balls, the core of softballs and Potatowood but never urethane. I learned that this HDU is used for sign making and is designed to be durable enough for outdoor use. My new friend, a sign maker, uses power routers, Dremels, pneumatic tools and saws to shape the material on a larger scale than I work, but I was interested in trying to use regular woodcarving tools. I was told the material is very expensive so my friend keeps his larger scraps, just like me with my wood scraps except I seem to keep everything. He generously gave several pieces to me for experimental purposes. The scraps are 2 inches thick but can be laminated to increase that dimension.

I have two densities now. One is called Signfoam and at 15 pounds per cubic foot, it’s easier to use of the two. It’s white with a smoother surface when carved. The second type, from Jasper Products, is darker with a grainier rougher carved surface. At 18 pounds per cubic foot, it doesn’t appear to be as dense. I can’t explain the logical contradiction except that it is a different compound.

I prefer the 15 PCF foam but, in both densities, a slicing cut is required. I used a carving knife for most of the work. A gouge will work but only if it’s rotated to make a slicing cut. A V-tool is not very effective because it’s usual cutting method tends to crush the material and a slicing action is difficult. I had to resort to using a knife for making hair.

Here is a link to a vendor if you want to learn more. http://signfoam.com/carving.html

The first two examples are from the Signfoam.

This is an example from the Jasper Products foam. You should be able to see the rougher texture.

I still have some of both left so I may do some more experimenting. It is interesting but I’ll stick to Basswood for now.

December 30, 2015 by carverdale

Bottlestopper Corks

Sometime this month a Facebook post asked about methods for attaching corks to carved bottle stoppers. I didn’t comment because, as you will see, a simple reply would not provide all the details some people would like. This post will describe my method, which is far from the only way to make a bottle stopper. You can also purchase pre-drilled corks with dowels from carving supply vendors.

I use #8 corks. These are 1 1/8 inches long with the top being 7/8 of an inch in diameter and the bottom 3/4 of an inch in diameter. I visit the local wine-making supply store to buy them. There are many sizes to choose from. Here you can buy them by the piece so you can choose the ones you like. Avoid corks with cracks, large openings or missing sections. You can find corks at hobby stores but they will be more expensive and packaged in assorted sizes. The ones I’ve seen in hobby stores are usually in good condition so if you only need a couple, that might be the way to go.

Block in drilling position.

I have a drill press and recommend using one for drilling corks. I learned the hard way that you should not hold a cork by hand when drilling. Using a woodworking clamp to hold a cork will compress the sides unequally and cause the hole to be distorted. I made a simple holding devise that will minimize pressure and not apply pressure unequally. Remember mine is for #8 corks but you can modify the dimensions if you use another size. I cut a block of wood 2 inches by 2 inches and about 2 and 3/8 inches long. Basswood scraps are great for this. Locate the center of the top and bottom surfaces of the block. Secure the block in a clamp for drilling a 13/16 inch hole in the center of the top. The hole should be 1 inch deep. I used a Forstner bit to keep it neat. Mark that end so you know it’s the top. If you’re going to use more than one size cork, mark this end with “#8”.

Block, push stick and corks.

Brad-point bit on left. Forstner bit on right.

At the center point on the bottom end, drill a 13/16 hole 3/4 of an inch deep. If you plan to use a second sized cork, change the drill size for the bottom hole. Experiment to determine the size. Mark that end with the cork size. Don’t worry about the alignment of the top and bottom holes they shouldn’t meet anyway. To create a passage between the top and bottom holes, switch to a 3/8 inch drill bit. The bottom of each of the larger holes will have a mark for the center left by the bit. Drill the passage hole at that mark.

I smoothed the sharp edge of the top hole so it doesn’t leave a mark on the cork. Test fit the cork. It should fit snugly in the top hole. If the cork is wedged tightly in the hole, there probably won’t be enough cork to protruding to work it loose. Now it will become clear for the need of the passage hole. I whittled a scrap to look like a dowel with a handle so I could push the cork free. It should be a loose fit in the 3/8 passage hole, just don’t put a sharp point on the end.

Cork in drilling position.

To prepare the cork for drilling, locate the center of the top surface. There are several tools made for finding the center of a dowel or cut a paper template. Secure the cork in the block. Make sure the top of the cork is parallel to the bottom of the block. Hold the block with a clamp and position a 3/8 inch brad-point drill bit at the center point of the cork. Slowly drill into the cork. It’s been my experience that drilling fast tears the cork. I like to drill this hole 5/8 of an inch deep. I use a 3/8 inch hardwood dowel to connect the cork to the carving. The length of the dowel should be slightly shorter than the combined depths of the holes in the cork and the carving. This allows space for glue trapped at the ends of the dowel.

As for the hole in the carving, my advice is to drill it before the carving is shaped. If you’re using a rough-out or a completed carving that has no hole, the drilling will be trickier. I would discourage holding the wood in your hand when drilling. Find a soft material or two sandbags, something that would conform to the carved shape. When held with a clamp, it should immobilize the carving for drilling. You will have to do your best to adjust the carving so the hole will be perpendicular to the surface that will meet the cork.

I test-fit the cork, dowel and carving before using glue. I use a two-part epoxy. Oh, don’t glue the cork before you carve your masterpiece.

September 25, 2014 by carverdale

Another Potatowood Carving

Earlier this year I received a box of potatowood samples. I’ve shared several with friends to get their evaluations of the material. Only one person has gotten back to me and that was with positive comments. I finally found the time to use a block of it to carve my second potatowood piece. My inspiration came from our vacation trip this summer. We spent several days in Rome so I wanted to carve a Roman solider. I purchased a figurine while in Rome but an exact duplicate in potatowood was not possible because my samples were too small. I made a pattern and reduced it to fit. Because of the smaller size and the nature of the material, I was forced to omit some of the fine details from the original. Even so, I think the resulting piece satisfies the intent. Here are my pictures of the progress.

Here’s the original block of potatowood. It is orange and actually smells like an orange. I resisted the temptation to eat the chips.

I made front and side view patterns to fit the block.

After the pattern was transferred, I used the bandsaw to cut the side view. The back of the side view retained the original surface at the bottom (where the cape would fall behind the feet) and near the top at the helmet crest. This allowed the block to remain flat on the bandsaw table while I cut the front view. Note that I retained the original front surface scrap of the block so I could replace it for cutting the front view. I used a small piece of double-sided tape to hold the scrap in place while cutting.

This is the “blank” after cutting the front and side views.

This is the “blank” after cutting the front and side views. The second piece is the scrap.

Here I’ve added some lines for “landmarks” and removed some corners.

Just another view of the “landmarks”.

More blocking according the the lines.

More blocking.

Blocking toward a point for details.

More blocking.

Getting closer to details.

Face, hand and breastplate details.

Details in face, breastplate and hand.

All finished. I changed the White Balance setting on my camera so the real color of the material would show.

PotatoWood first potatowood posting.

April 23, 2014 by carverdale

PotatoWood

A week ago I received a padded envelope in the mail. It contained a white block 2 inches wide, 3 1/4 inches high and 2 1/4 inches thick. This was my first encounter with potatowood. It had made the trip from Germany to Cartersville, Georgia to Verona, PA thanks to a carving friend in Georgia and a stranger in Germany. Since then I have carved the block and corresponded with Steve, a stranger no more. Steve moved from Minnesota to Germany where he carves miniatures. You can see his work at MiniSteve.com. Steve has an acquaintance that has developed a material called potatowood. I can’t report on the ingredients or the manufacturing process, but from its name, I suspect there are potatoes or at least the starch from potatoes. I’m pretty sure there’s no wood involved. One of it’s properties is it can be glued together with water. Wetting both surfaces to be joined will produce a slurry that will harden to form a bond. I tried it with some scraps and it works. I’ve been told it comes in a denser version and as you’ll see from the manufacturer’s website, it’s available in colors. See more at carving-colors.com. It’s a German site but the pictures are worth thousands of words in English.

After seeing pictures on-line of animals, I decided to give it a try. I wanted to use as much of the block as I could so I began by sketching a human character on the block. Using a knife and a few carving gouges, I made quite a pile of chips. I guess you could call them potato chips. I had no trouble cutting the material but I did find layers that resembled wood grain. Removing larger chips caused the layers to separate so I switched to smaller chips. I think the details on my project pushed the limits of a project this size. I was forced to use the tip of my knife and re-carve some details. I think it’s a good material for a carver just learning to use a knife and a few gouges. It could be the next step after carving soap. It does require sharp tools. I used my knife for most of the work and stropped it a couple of times during the process.

I’m glad I was able try this material and be somewhat on the “cutting edge” of a new product. Friends know I try materials other than wood, namely golf balls and softballs so I had to try potatowood when it was offered. I understand it’s only available in Germany for now or if you know someone who knows someone. Keep your eyes open and give it a try when it makes it to our shore.

For those who have been curious enough to read this far, I’ll give some info on the painting process I used. Before painting I chose several of the largest chips and sealed the surfaces with various products. I was concerned about the reaction of the material to water because I use acrylic paints. Remember the gluing process. I tried water based polyurethane, petroleum based polyurethane and Deft brand satin spray. I also added some untreated scraps to the test. The paint seemed to work best on the petroleum based poly. After the paint on the figure had thoroughly dried, I added a coat of liquid wax.

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for.

Another Potatowood Carving

November 2, 2013 by carverdale

Golf Ball Carving

My very first instructional article was the result of an invitation from Chris Whillock the Editor of Carving Magazine. The article appeared in the Spring issue (#29). Included in the article were several examples of the hundreds I have carved since 1993. To see them and many more examples, click here.

The magazine is no longer published so I am sharing the following text and photos that were created for the article.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Tools for this project

I use a carving glove that has rubber dots which ensure a good grip on the ball. I used a carving knife with a straight cutting edge. #11-9mm and 7mm gouges. A #5-7mm gouge. #9-3mm and 6mm gouges. A #3-2mm shallow gouge. A 3mm V-Tool.

Depending on the project, I add or substitute other tools.

Step 1

Step 1. I always start with a center line.
I use a compass with a ballpoint pen.
Notice the lines to mark the top and bottom of the ear, also done with the compass.

Step 2

Step 2. The eye line is cut with a #11 9mm gouge.

Also remove material in front of the ears

Front view

Step 3

Step 3. Use a knife to cut above and below the ears. This process will be used several times for this project and I’ll refer to it as a shadow-cut. The cut is perpendicular to the surface and extends back under the ball cover. The cover is not cut. The ear cut is about 1/16 of an inch deep and serves as a stop cut. The relief or removal cut will produce a triangle shaped wedge with the inside of the cover forming the third side. Sometimes all cuts meet and the wedge will come out with the blade. The knife should never be used to pry the wedge loose. The tip could break off. I have a 2mm shallow gouge that’s too small for carving but it’s great to remove material from shadow-cuts.

Step 4

Step 4. Use a #11 4mm gouge on the forehead to define space for a little hair and the top of the eyebrows.

Step 5

Step 5. Use a #11 9mm gouge to establish the bottom of the nose.

Notice the shadow cuts below the ears.

Step 6

Step 6. Mark the width of the nose and use a knife to raise the wings.

Note the small space marked near the center line to reserve space for the septum.

Step 7

Step 7. Use the #11 4mm gouge to define the sides at the top of the nose.

Reserve space between the eyes for the bridge of the nose.

Step 8

Step 8. Using an inverted #5 7mm gouge, shape the wings of the nose. Use the first cut as a stop cut and the second cut to remove some of the cheek as the gouge meets the stop cut.

Use the #11 9mm to shape the nose above the wing.

Step 9

Step 9. Use the #11 9mm to prepare the area for the eyes and reduce the cheek material.

The cheeks will continue to be shaped as adjacent areas are developed.

Use a knife to smooth the nose.

Don’t for get to reserve that space between the eyes.

Step 10

Step 10. Make a stop cut to form the outside mustache line from the corner of the nose wing.

Remove material from the face to make the mustache protrude.

Use the point of a knife to extend the wing line up onto the nose.

Remove a tiny sliver of material to create the shadow.

Step 11

Step 11. Better view of previous step.

Step 12

Step 12. Front view of Step 10.

Step 13

Step 13. Use a knife to round the tops and bottom of the ears.

Use a #9 3mm micro tool to form the inside of the ear.

When using this tool, do not pry or twist. Straight in and out will do the job.

Use the 2mm shallow gouge to remove the material if it remains inside the ear. This can also be considered a shadow-cut.

Leave space between the cuts for the small flap of skin that protects the opening of the ear.

Step 14

Step 14. Remove the ridges on the ears with small knife cuts.

Use the knife to make a stop cut behind the flap and remove the material with the 2mm gouge.

Step 15

Step 15. Begin the eyes with a 3mm v-tool making “S” shaped cuts that will form the top edges of the upper eyelids.

Trace the cuts with the point of a knife to make a stop cut.

Remove a slight bit of material above the lid to deepen the shadow.

Step 16

Step 16. Follow the first V-cuts with parallel cuts below to form the bottom edge of the upper lid.

Once again trace this cut with the point of a knife for a stop cut.

This time remove material below the stop cut. This will begin to form the eye ball.

Step 17

Step 17. Use the same 3mm V-tool to establish the top of the lower lid. Don’t make the cut connect with the outside end of the upper lid. To remove the flat area on the eyeball, make a similar stop cut along the lower lid line. Round the eyeball into the stop cut. Remember to remove more in the corners of the eye to make the eyeball look like the surface of a ball.

Step 18

Step 18. Use the 3mm V-tool to add lower lid lines, bags, eyebrows and a little hair. Use a knife to make a tiny shadow-cut at the top end of the hair. This will also form the top of the head that has no hair.

Step 19

Step 19. To create an iris/pupil “suggestion”, I use the #9 3mm micro gouge. Remember it’s fragile. I usually have my heads looking to the side. I place the gouge on the eyeball so it touches, but doesn’t cut, the lids. This will be a stop cut. Straight in and straight out. This is the first side of a three-sided chip. The other two sides are made with the point of a knife inserted along the lid lies and meet at the corner. I resort to my 2mm shallow gouge to remove the chip in pieces.

Step 20

Step 20. Draw the line for the lower edge of the mustache.

Step 21

Step 21. Cut a fairly deep stop cut angled slightly behind the front of the mustache. Remove material below the mustache. Leave a flat area in the center to provide for the lower lip.

Step 22.

Step 22. Use the #5 7mm gouge to open the mouth. If the stop cut was deep enough, the chip will fall out. Otherwise, repeat the cut.

Step 23

Step 23. Use the #11 4mm to shape the lower edge of the lip. Continue this cut to the stop cut at the mustache.

Step 24

Step 24. Using a knife, remove the sharp ridges and shape the lip. Scoop out the area below the ends of the lip using a knife point that reaches the stop cut. A similar cut would be made with the #5 gouge. This is done to begin shaping the chin.

Step 25

Step 25. Continue rounding the chin between the ends of the mustache.

Step 26

Step 26. Considering the previous shadow-cuts were practice, you may choose to add a shadow-cut between the jowl and chin. This is a larger cut and is done with a single arch, not two stop cuts. Work carefully. Don’t use the knife to pry.

Step 27

Step 27. Add hairs in the mustache with the 3mm V-tool, making short random strokes. The hair that hangs over the mouth should have an uneven (nibbled) look.

Step 28

Step 28. I used a #9 6mm gouge to cut the nostrils. I could have used the #5 gouge but, in this case, I liked the #9 better. The important thing is to make both cuts symmetrical. I use the V-tool to cut my initials and date in the back cover.

Here are some pictures of the finished carving.

September 16, 2010 by carverdale

Golf ball brands and models I prefer

I have kept a list of my favorite brands and models within those brands. There are many more brands and models that are enjoyable to carve but be aware there are models that are not “2 piece” construction. They are made with multiple covers, multiple layers and of course the wound rubber band. Since I lean toward the Titlest brand, I keep a list of Titlest models I avoid. They resist even the sharpest tools or have rubber bands. I’ve included them in the “Not Acceptable” category at the bottom.

An acquaintance named Tom Rhodes has a book that will provide inspiration for thinking inside AND outside the ball. The book also has an extensive list of ball characteristics for hundreds of balls.

Acceptable

Titlest:

HP Tour
HP2 Tour
HP and a number
DT Distance
DT 2 Piece
HVC and a number
HVC Tour
HVC Distance
HVC Distance-L
HVC Soft Feel
HVC Spin

Topflite:

Tour Edition
Tour-SD90
Infinity Awesome Distance
Infinity Absolutely Straight
XL2000 Exceptional Spin
XL2000 Super Titanium
XL3000 Super Feel

MAXFLI:

Noodle Long and Soft

Pinnacle:

Gold
Gold Spin
Gold Velocity
Gold – FX Long
Gold – FX Soft
Equalizer
Extreme
Performance
Power 392
392 LS
Pinnacle 90
332
384 90 Compression
Distance LS

Not Acceptable

Titlest:

Anything with titanium
Tour Prestige
Tour Distance
Tour Distance SF
HP2 Distance
HP Distance
HP Eclipse
Pro V 1
Pro V 1*
DT So/Lo
DT Spin
Professional
DT and a number
NXT Tour
NXT Distance
Anything with “wound”

September 8, 2010 by carverdale

Drawing a Center Line on a Golf Ball

A tip to establish a center line starts back when the ball is placed in the template. (See the post on Opening a Golf Ball) The cardboard is positioned perpendicular to the brand name printed on the ball with one complete brand name showing on each side of the template. Notice the pencil line on the template to aid in positioning the brand name. After the cover has been removed, it’s easy to continue the imaginary brand line around to the exposed rubber.

Small reference mark.

I make a small reference line on the rubber to indicate the middle of the brand line on both (and opposite) sides. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Compass point on reference mark. Pen near middle of rubber.

Adjust a compass, that uses an ink pen, so it reaches from one cover edge where you just made a reference mark to your best guess at the center. Make a small mark there.

Using the second reference mark to locate the middle of the rubber.

Without adjusting it, move the compass to the reference mark on the other side and check to see how good your center guess was. If you are lucky, or just very good at guessing, the pen will land on the first center mark.

Compass adjusted to make first center line.

Otherwise, adjust the compass to split the difference between the two center measurements and draw a complete line from “top” to “bottom” on the rubber.

Line drawn from second reference mark.

It’s important to reposition the compass at the other reference mark and draw a “top” to “bottom” line from that side, too. Rarely do the two lines match perfectly but you now have a center reference.

September 8, 2010 by carverdale

Opening a Golf Ball

I remove the cover as follows. (Click on the picture to enlarge.)

Cardboard template used to draw line on ball.

I made a cardboard template with a hole cut slightly smaller than the diameter of a standard ball. I position the ball in the hole so there is just a slight bit more cover on one side of the cardboard. I use a ballpoint pen to mark the ball tracing the template. I clamp the ball in a vise having a jaw used for holding pipe or bicycle frames. I cut along the line with an Xacto saw. Forty-two teeth per inch.

Sawing on the line while ball is in the vise.

After the line has been cut, I use small screwdrivers to remove the cover. It is very important that you wear a glove to hold the ball while you work with the screwdrivers. I force one screwdriver into the cut and under the smaller side of the cover. That allows room to place a second screwdriver next to the first one.

Inserting the second screw driver under the cover.

Try to keep the screw drivers perpendicular to the cut to reduce the risk of slipping and stabbing your hand. Remove the first one and insert it on the other side of the second, alternating this way, each one reaches further under, until the cover pops off. I normally keep the loose cover with the ball.

Cover is breaking free.

CarverDale

Carving: My Passion

materials