Ashley Iles Ltd.

 Video clips

These video clips show some of the processes employed in making a carving tool.

Video files are very large in relation to the length of time they run. In order to minimise the download times the clips have to be kept short. The files are provided in the 'avi' format. Windows Media Player can be used to view them on a PC.

Unless you have broadband the best way to use these files is to download them to your hard disk. They can then be played in a viewer as many times as you like. In Internet Explorer the file can be downloaded directly into the hard disk by right clicking on the image in the column on the left. (In IE 5.5, or higher, then choose 'Save Target As ..). The file sizes and the duration of the clip are given in brackets.

The following clips are available below:
Forming the bolster and the tang.
Drawing out the blade.
Trimming and forging-in the blade.
First wet grind.
Grinding the inside of the gouging.
First finishing on the linisher.
First finishing on the inside of the gouge.





Forming the bolster and the tang
(1.646KB, 21 seconds)

The first operation in making a carving tool is the forming of the bolster and the tang from a rectangular piece of steel. The forging operation is carried out on a spring hammer.

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Drawing out the blade
(1,222KB, 15 seconds)

The blade is drawn out and shaped on the spring hammer.

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Trimming and forging-in the gouge
(1,502KB, 17 seconds)

The tool is re-heated and then straightened on the bench. After being heated again the gouge shape is formed on the hydraulic press.

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First wet grind
(1,880KB, 20 seconds)

After forging the tool goes into the grinding shop to be finished. The most dramatic of the machines here are the wet wheels. When new the wheels are 42 inches in diameter, they weigh half a ton each, and have a peripheral speed of 75 mph.
(Note: a different tool to that in the earlier clips is shown here and in the following clips.)

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Grinding the inside of the gouging
(1,698KB, 16 seconds)

Cleaning-up the inside of a gouge on a small wheel.

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First finishing on the linisher
(1,494KB, 19 seconds)

The outside of the gouge is polished on a linisher.

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First finishing on the inside of the gouge
(1,332KB, 13 seconds)

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