Miniature Tools

[john k]

Those are closer to jewlery, no wonder you made them out of gold!   How big a magnifier do you use?   Gives me a complex to look at such craftsmanship, wow.

[Art Rafael]

Thanks, John.

I do think of my miniatures as jewelry.  In the past I created rings, broaches, ear rings, etc., and it lead to creating jewelry for gentlemen (and ladies), which I referred to as my line of "Pocket Jewelry" (c) for the well dressed crafter - a tiny hammer for the carpenter, a miniature pipe wrench for a plumber , etc.  Of course the wood working plane became my  trademark, and here we are - still building miniatures.  I've also built some "desk top" pieces and still do some traditional jewelry, but the 1/4 scale miniature tool is my mainstay.

Ralph

[Art Rafael]

I've seen some nice hand built - dove tail planes on the net and decided to try building a miniature of the sort.  So far I find the dovetailing at this scale complicated and difficult, but I've got a good start.   Ralph

[Lewill2]

Art, with all the things you have turned out so far I'm sure a few dovetails won't slow you down to long.

[Art Rafael]

As I progress, I've found the dove tails tricky to cut in metal and have made several practice cuts on brass and even on popsicle sticks.  Things tend to invert , and it is easy to cut the wrong angle ,etc.  I'll play with it some more.   Ralph

[Art Rafael]

I measured once then measured again, and then I proceeded to cut the pieces exactly wrong.   I'm still trying to get my head around this dove tail joint work.  Ralph

[johnsironsanctuary]

You are not alone Ralph.

[Art Rafael]

Try and Try again.   Ralph











It's coming together.  I'm getting the hang of it.

[Lewill2]

Looking good so far. I like the apron around your vise.

[Art Rafael]

Thanks Les.  Are you back in the country for the holidays now?  Yes, the sole of these planes is sterling silver ( an earlier model was solig gold ), and I had to develop a way to catch the filings; it works pretty well.  I should have something to show pretty soon.   Ralph

[Lewill2]

Back in the USA for a few weeks, probably back South the first week in December just for the week then home until the new year. Always stopping by as long as I have access to the internet.

[Art Rafael]

I think that I've finally got it now.  It took three serious attempts and a bunch of errors along the way to get my brain around the dove tail joints and to coordinate my brain, eyes and hands to make the correct cuts.   When it is highly buffed and polished the joints disappear.  A satin finish seems best.   Ralph

[Lewill2]

WOW! They came out great!

[Art Rafael]

Well, I've managed to get a little something done this week - two little somethings.  My wife wore her pair of plane ear rings to an outing, and now I have orders for more -- and I mean Orders.   Ralph

[oldtools]

Those are so cool!!  I better not let my wife see those, you may have many more orders...