Carving for 18th Century Furniture with Ray Journigan

  In this class, master carver and teacher, Ray Journigan will be teaching the carving of the 18th Century furniture elements that might appear on a period highboy or other fine piece.
 
The carvings will be :
Carved acanthus/Chippendale baroque style Drawer Front
Carved Rosette
Carved Flame Finial
Carved Pineapple
Apron section (as time permits)
 
No one who studies Period Furniture can help but be drawn to a Philadelphia Highboy when they enter a
museum or period home. This class has been requested by many carvers of period furniture. Wanting more
than the standard Ball & Claw foot class, this class dives deep into the other elements not offered by most
classes out there. In this six day class, period furniture maker Ray Journigan will teach students the techniques used to accomplish these beautiful embellishment utilising
his perfected method of demonstrations and exercises.  Students will get plenty of carving time in as they learn to layout and carve on round stock to create a flame finial.
Next, they will carve a Chippendale rosette as found on gooseneck moldings. We'll carve the inconic Philadelphia Pineapple.  And a Philadelphia Highboy
would not be complete without a drawer front carved with a recessed shell an acanthus carved surround. All
parts will be cut out and ready to carve so the student will not be wasting valuable learning time standing by a
machine. As a bonus, if time permits, Ray will also show the layout and carving of an intricate apron. 
   Ray will explain the importance of the proper carving station for comfort, Proper lighting, and
sharpening.
   A cut list is available if anyone wants to bring their own wood.  We will be using mahogany for the class due it's suitability for carving and keeping things correct for the period.  A materials fee will be determined as we get closer to the class, but it will be in the range of $175.
 
   The recommended tool list is as follows:
 
Suggested Basic Carving set Tool List:

The following is a list of suggested carving chisels for a basic set. If what you have is close to the chisels listed you can use them.
1/8 mm or 1/12mm double bevel straight gouge (fishtail preferred)
15/3mm V tool (could use 12’s if you already have them but 15’s are better for this work)
15/6mm V tool
2/5mm gouge
2/12mm or 2/16mm gouge (fishtail preferred)
2/30mm gouge (Optional)
3/6mm , 3/12mm or 3/14 (fishtails preferred), 3/20mm
3/25mm gouge (Optional)
5/6mm, 5/12mm (fishtails preferred), 5/20mm
5/25mm gouge (Optional)
7/6mm, 7/8mm, 7/10mm, & 7/14mm gouge (fishtails preferred)
8/4mm, 8/7mm, 8/10mm, 8/13mm straight gouge (A set of 8’s and 9’s is best)
And/Or
9/5mm, 9/7mm, 9/10mm, 9/13mm straight gouge
25/10 Back bend gouge (Optional)
25/13 Back Bend gouge (Optional)
11/2, 11/3 veiner

Also will need:
Paper pad for notes/pencils
Carving mallet
Strop materials
Double sided tape (Golfer’s tape on Amazon or Ebay is good)
Finial Holding Jig (A drawing will be provided so you can one)
A ¾” x 12” x 12” MDF (smooth surface is key) backer board
Directional clamp-on light (Optional)
You may wish to bring a pair of fingerless gloves for hand protection.
Covered shoes required.
 
Optional:
6” or larger Rule
Combination Square
Tenon or Dovetail saw
#49 or 50 Nicholson rasp or equivalent
10” Med cut cabinet file
8” Smooth cut wood file
Spokeshave
Compass
 
Optional opportunities for students during the week include a tour of Lie-Nielson Toolworks and a 1 1/2 hour sail on the Penobscot Bay on my friend, Captain Jim's, 46 foot yacht.