Micro Carving challenge "Day 1"

 

I got the crazy idea to try, and wood carve under a microscope. It’s crazy because when I add smaller and intricate details, they tend to “drive me crazy.” Yet I keep adding them to my work for some reason. I do use loups to help me see the fine detail work. When I am crazy enough to try a piece with “small details.” The loups themselves have a learning curve to understand how they work. Can I explain the exact science behind them, I have no idea how they work. I just know that my working distance does not change just the sight distance. The project details are easier to see when larger. The little knowledge I have is from experience and I don’t know if it’s right. With loups there are limitations with magnification. Yes, you can get more powerful ones “if you’re willing to pay.”

            How did the idea of trying to carve under a microscope come fruition. To be honest, I have no idea. I was brainwashed on social media, and it randomly came up. I started researching and found that digital microscopes were more available than I realized. I found one that I thought would be a good option and had the function of taking photos and videos. It sat in my amazon cart for a few days because I was “trying to talk myself out of it.” I didn’t have any project idea or didn’t know if it was a good idea. I also didn’t want it to be a waste of money for going down this rabbit hole and not having it work out. I had the mental pros and cons list. But my heart ultimately won out. Despite this idea being crazy and having no idea what’s possible I made the investment. 

            I have a lot of wood of various sizes and rotary bits which are very small, this idea gave me a chance to use the bits I didn’t think I would ever use. I struggled to find what project that I wanted to do. Finally, the light bulb came on. I started brainstorming ideas in Microsoft word and making them the right scale. I designed version two logo for my mission of “one priceless treasure.” Technically I made versions two and three. Of course they are similar in style.

            My thoughts for trying to carve. I started carving around the letters which were difficult. I paused and carved the boarder of the three different boards. It was hard to see the letters some. I got the bright idea of using a fine point marker to make the letters darker. Ow how I was wrong. I was wrong because when you use a marker on wood it is guaranteed to run with the wood grain. That of course made the letters a black blob. I continued and tried my best carving and testing out different sizes of bits. Some bits I tried I thought were the right size, but I found out after trying them “How wrong I was.” I did not realize how easy it is to misjudge the size of a bit when I am looking at it under a microscope verses my own eye. My sight is ok, but I am following down my dad’s footsteps and becoming near-sighted according to my mother.

            I was at a crossroads when I realized things were not turning out. What to do is always a dangerous question. The easy answer, especially when you embark on a crazy idea is “just give up.” But that does not fit with my motto of “loving a challenge,” and “it’s not fun to give up.” I do believe that if you give up on your own ideas you will “give up easier during the half-to times of life.” 

            I reworked the project and put the lettering back onto the sign. I then started over and tried again. The whole piece was not a waste, the lettering needed to be redone. This of course is to be expected especially since I have never worked through a microscope. I am used to looking at the work piece directly, even working with the loups I still look directly at what it is I am working on. Working with a digital microscope I look at the screen and not down at my work or wear my hands are. I must move the tool into the view screen. I noticed that it’s hard to keep muscle tension, which is a new thing. The view of the work was different. From the magnification factor and how magnified I should make the area I am currently working on. I watched some of the videos I was able to capture. It was interesting to watch the bit itself up close.

            I know I didn’t explain a lot about the process. That is because I can’t explain what I don’t know yet. Day one of course I have learned the obvious learning curves. Ultimately, I know is “this challenge is exciting” I am curious where and what’s going to be possible as I get better.

Video of what it looks like under a microscope