DITO!!!

Ray B - Fantastic to hear that you were inspired. The design element is definitely half the work, if not more. I download designs that I find on the computer then I can scale them and stretch them to my needs using an artistic program like Photoshop. I print them then trace them onto the wood if I am unable to draw them freehand. Best of luck and keep woodworking!

Nick Long - Thanks Nick, I believe that I am of Irish & German decent, although I can not confirm it. I have always been infatuated with this style and I like to believe it's in my blood. I appreciate your comments. Go carve!

It has been alleged, that the Celtic cross was in fact a navigation device. The circle was movable and had scaled graduations. By pointing one part at a know fixed star, reading could be taken of the longitude, latitude and time, at sea...... day and night. I cant recall the guys name at the mo but he has patented the Celtic cross based on his finding. Interesting stuff. History suppressed.

I am from South Wales and I am also feed up, of the English trying to wipe us off the map. Excellent work and it is lovely to see xxx

Yes i am Irish it is very important to keep your traditional alive I think today there is far too much America influence on our lovely Celtic culture {Dia duit}

sayyyy wuttttttt

Bideshi Pumpkins and designs There are many methods that will work. I mostly use my belt sander and 220 grit paper being careful not to overheat the steel. Then I hone the edge with a leather strop wheel that turns at a very slow speed. I have tried using many metal polishing compounds on the leather wheel. Tormek brand honing polish works well.

17”x12”x1” basswood is in a reply down the list.

Alfredo Cota I used a V gouge for the outline, a 3/8" straight chisel for grounding in ( low spots) and a small skew chisel.

Thank you very much for answering! I appreciate it, I am about to buy a V gouge, thought that a 6mm will do just fine. Please keep sharing your vids!!

Thank you. 17” x 12” x 1” Basswood

Annette Sutton - I have not used Camphor Laurel, but it looks like a beautiful wood. Please let me know if you give it a try.

alienh1701 yes, it is widely known as an easy carving wood. It is soft, straight grained, light weight, yet very strong. It can be stained, although I typically leave it it’s natural color and finish it with spray on shellac. It is very affordable as well. I’ve been buying it at Rockler Woodworking & Hardware stores. Best of luck carving.

Marc -yes, 60 degrees 12mm. It works well for low relief. Best of luck with your carving.

mannmade Thank you for your reply, my new chisel came and works a treat for what I needed....pleasure of carving can be expensive but having the right tools for what you need is a godsend....obviously more will need to be added to the kit ;)

I used bass wood to make this cross. It is soft and easy to carve. Give it a go! The world needs more carvers.

Superb, is it possible to carve on oak in the same way?

kyanshi - I used Bass wood. It is also known as Lime wood in Europe I believe. It does absorb stain well. Easy to carve, and straight, knot-free grain.

@@2muchsawdust okay and thank you 😊

CraftyBishop an album from Paul &Tim Frantzich "Celtic Shore". I love those songs.

mannmade , yes great choice!

Crystal PetShop - Carving in oak is quite common, however it is a much harder and more dense wood compared to bass. You have to take lighter cuts and keep your tools sharp.

I used my router table with a 3/4" straight bit to hog away most of it, then used a straight carving chisel to clean up the edges. I forgot to film the routing part, but in the video you can see me clean up the edges.

I have not done any video of the design. I based mine design off of images I that I found on the internet. I copy and paste patterns with Adobe Photoshop where I can stretch and flip elements to get the shape that I need. I print out the patterns then transfer them to the wood. I either trace carbon paper or use a heat transfer tool to get the image on the wood.

I am local. I really consider myself a beginning carver. I am not looking to teach carving, but I would be happy to give you any advice. There are many carving videos to learn from. The only carving instruction that I have had was from Ian Agrelle, in the San Fransico area. He used to teach weekend classes from his home. He is an excellent instructor and a world class carver. Another online source is Mary May. I believe she has some online instructional videos. Best of luck carving.

Thank you for your reply & the lead on classes.

Jacques Markarian The basswood is 1" thick. I felt since I did an edge glue up that I wanted the cross thicker for strength.

In this video I used four power tools. A palm sander, a scroll saw, a band saw and a router table.The band saw cut the outside shape, and the inside shapes I used the scroll saw.

I didn't make a template, so I am going off of memory...the largest circle diameter was approximately 8-9 inches. The entire cross (not including the staff) stands approximately 17 inches and is 12" wide.

Jack Herbic - I used the compass to draw the rings around the center of the cross. I actually found the knots on the internet, copied then pasted it into Photoshop where I could shrink and stretch the image to fit where I needed it. After the fact, I came across a good video that teaches how to draw Celtic knots. I’ll find it for you and copy the link.

Jack Herbic - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y6qJZNak2tPZiac.html , how to draw Celtic knots. I had fun practicing this method since making my Celtic cross years ago.

@@2muchsawdust Thank you for answering. I've actually seen the video. I draw celtic knots myself, and your's looked so perfect I wanted to know your technique. I can make square ones but don't know how to design them to be curved or bent like the ones you carved were. Also do you know a good way to make your carvings so smooth. Mine always have tons of little fuzzy wood and gouge marks when I try to carve reliefs.

Jack Herbic - 2 things, sharp tools and soft wood. I carved Bass for this cross. It is one of the easiest woods to work with. I bought it from Rockler Woodworking. It was not expensive, and it is a dream to carve. Good luck in your projects.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y6qJZNak2tPZiac.html I discovered this how to video after I made this video. I just struggled through drawing the design until I was happy with it. This video can help.

Dji kid - This species is Bass. I believe in some parts it is called Limewood. Easy to carve, light and strong.

the slave in your basement - fortunately no, but I’ve got it in my knees. Some of my fingers go numb if I carve for too long.

@@2muchsawdust oh im sorry to hear that man.