A Good Wax Job.

A good weekend. I got about a full day in working at my newest bench, the low level and using my new task light. Both were exactly perfect and comfortable as I had imagined they would be. The shop was a little warm as Summer has settled into North Texas but nothing I haven't worked in before.

I didn't do anything much, as far as a project work goes. What I spent the day doing was hand carving wax. I was using both rotary tools and carving by hand. Yes, I have my CNC mill but I wanted to test myself and see if I still had enough manual dexterity to handle the tools for carving.

I have done a bit of wood carving with good success but I never gave wax much of a try. Now I have. It was an interesting experience carving something that has no grain and is of a constant constancy. It takes a very light touch which is just fine with my PN and I think a touch of arthritis.

I'll admit to a few very minor cuts but I kind of expected that would happen. No blood loss so like I said, a very minor jab and what looks like a scratch. I'd call it a good day, all my fingers are here.

I think I can do it well enough that I can invest is some real wax carving tools. There is more scraping than there is real cutting. The rotary tool and burrs are good for bulk removal, but it scares me a bit (at least for now) using power for detail work.

My plan is to do some cold (resin) casting of things I carve. Perhaps character figures, Christmas ornaments, Santas, and other typical wood carving projects. If I get good enough at those, I'll think about lost wax casting and metal.

So for now I'll see if I can make some things that are recognizable and not too scary bad. It was sooo nice to work in a very comfortable body position, It was 6:00 PM before I knew. it.