Instructional video for carving stars in wood

[@josephromero1596]

By far the best stars I’ve seen on a wood flag

[@howardlee8814]

I really like how you used the chisel to carve out the union. Great work.

[@jsagers2008]

This may be the most impressive star set I’ve seen. I’ll have to try this when I want to roll out the red carpet for someone. Thanks for sharing!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Do it! Definitely a premium though.

[@mikebrown9718]

I have to agree with a lot of the comments that these are the best stars I have ever seen. Most are wanting to make them fast for quantity not quality. I’m teaching myself how to chip cut the stars which I have a long way to go and learning other methods besides CNCs, Dremel’s. Thank you so much for sharing how you accomplish your stars!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you

[@MelissaPotulski]

Definitely a great looking star I been trying to make them definitely going to take alot of practice and patience but it will be worth every minute I try thanks again for sharing your method

[@rickbruno6041]

Great job!!!!

[@cassiejo0012]

Thank you for sharing this video. I've been painting my stars on some of my flags and bought wood stars for others. THIS is absolutely beautiful and more professional looking. Thanks again.

[@MRrwmac]

Those are the best carved stars I’ve EVER seen! Thanks for showing me how. Now, I’ll go sharpen my two chisels (3/4" & 1/4”). Thanks!!

[@ICT_Anton]

Man... I can see this being very time consuming, but the small detail are what makes woodwork stand out. I'm very serious when I say that these are the best start I've seen. Just using a palm router or Dremel doesn't look nearly as good. This is amazing. Thank you for giving me something new to learn

[@reyna683]

Wow, your technique is honestly the best I've seen on carving the union! And I've watched a lot lol. Definitely subscribing to the channel! Very precise stars bud, looks amazing!

[@speeddemon32]

That's incredible. Holy cow! I "have carve" stars with a dremel free hand, but this is a whole new level. Looks great!! Thanks for doing this video

[@williamdecamp7343]

Wow! Amazing detail and that sets you apart from the rest. Beautiful work.

[@RushWorkingMan]

I first thought that was gold leaf, very inspiring.

[@fullauto9813]

"Great job! Your work definitely stands out."

[@philipguarnieri2822]

I been making flags for a while now been doing the stars manny different ways using a Dremel, a utility knife. I came across your post on KZbin and you got me all fired up! So I started to hand sharpen my 1/4 & 3/4 chisels besides that the chisels weren’t sharpened to perfection my technique wasn’t there yet, so I went and bought diamond plated, sharpening plates, and a honing jig and kept watching you video over and over again and also watched videos on how to sharpen my chisels. Well my chisels are scary sharp now WHAT A DIFFERENCE it made. I’m on my way now the stars are starting to look like STARS. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us Thanks again.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

It brings me a lot of happiness knowing it has inspired others to hone their skills and their chisels!

[@IFHSP2]

This puts wooden flags on the next level. Nicely done.

[@stuswan69]

You are a dying breed. Great work!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@stuswan69 thank you sir

[@ctraugh2005]

I have to say, even though these are time consuming they are some of the best-looking stars that I have seen that aren't done by a CNC. I love it and I am defiantly going to give them a try.

[@anthonycaldi7056]

Dude you have Mad Talent. Well done!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@anthonycaldi7056 thank you I appreciate the compliments

[@5315batman]

Beautiful, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my stars look that good. Great job. Thank you

[@justingabhart3422]

Bravo sir, bravo! I’ve been making these flags for a while now, and I have always used a Dremel to do the stars in the union. While I do make the union look really good, your method will just bring old glory to an entire different playing field! I thank you for showing us your technique and I will be using it here in about five minutes, but I will definitely be giving your channel the credit it deserves!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you! Tag me on IG or Facebook with @hwoodwoodwork

[@buddytaylor6983]

Wow, I will say, the stars look really good. A lot of time in doing that.

[@jasonmckenna492]

You make it look so easy! I was so enthralled that I was literally trying to blow the wood chips off of my phone. Great video!

[@dupren4374]

Those are the best looking stars I've ever seen love them

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you

[@dupren4374]

Your welcome keep up with awesome videos there very educational

[@Wyrmwood66]

I love the way your stars look. Great work.

[@michaelgontarek7612]

I have made over a dozen flags with this techniuqe. Thank you for this. My first union was GARBAGE lol. But now people love them when they get them! I owe my awsome flags partially to you and how to carve stars! THANK YOU!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

You’re very welcome! That’s awesome and I’d love to see some of your work! I don’t usually plug myself but connect with me on Instagram or Facebook so you show off some of your work. @hwoodwoodwork

[@retiredtom1654]

The recipient of a flag you made is getting patients, skill, and the love of perfection. Real works of art. If I were to get a flag of this quality I would want to see a few photos of the carving process to keep with my flag. People would want to see the work.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thats a good idea.

[@dougblazer1376]

Thanks for your video and tips. Those stars look great.

[@felixfromnebraska8648]

Excellent DIY video, my friend. Your method looks so much easier than others I have watched. Thanks for sharing. Felix.

[@TheHumbleCarpenter]

Beautiful work!!!! Thank you for sharing 🇺🇸👍

[@Nonya_Business44]

Thanks for the video. Great instructions on carving. I’m subscribing. I can’t wait to mess up my fist couple dozens stars.

[@Mudracer41]

Very impressive. Hell of a skill you have.

[@andyall]

Amazing craftsmanship :)

[@drgranger2]

Best stars I've seen! Thanks for sharing.

[@brkoury]

your skill is 2nd to none! Very impressive!

[@jbratt]

Well done! Being in Texas has the advantage of only one star 😜. I am going to try your technique on the US flag. Thank you for a well done video 👍

[@Roadrage-oq5js]

They're so perfect. I'm getting emotional watching it.

[@hardcoretrout]

Well done Sir. Love the depth each ridge adds to the star. Sets the union apart from others I've seen.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you

[@jerrytrullender1184]

Awesome! Best I’ve seen!

[@PolarBeaverWoodworking]

wow, very delicate and detailed work😍

[@HeavyK.]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

That is beautiful, truly sets it apart!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you

[@SkippyRo]

4 years late to this video. When I inherited my dad's table saw, router table and drill press, I vividly remembered the smell of sawdust in his small woodshop. I was the last of 6 kids, in a college dorm or small apartment, with no room for a cedar chest, entryway table, full length floor mirror and other projects he made for our Christmas projects. So I actually helped make the projects for my siblings. He had a farm accident that left him disabled, but with the plans he'd drawn for the cedar chest, which i have in a hidden panel inside the chest, I made my own with the tools he wanted me to have because we worked side by side. Long story short, I'm drooling for the day that my wife lets me make an unholy mess in our garage so I can do a wavy flag. I absolutely will be using this method to carve the stars, as a dremel just cutting them flat looks so cheap for having invested so much time, effort and love into making the flag. Thanks for reading, and for your video. The stars turned out amazing. Not a bad background soundtrack either.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@SkippyRo love the story! I started woodworking as child 2 of 8, my father was a framer and hobby woodworker. I was on job sites since I could walk up to age 25, from laborer to lead framer. Spent many a lean Christmases making wooden gifts in the garage with my dad and siblings. About 6-7 years ago I wanted one of these wooden flags, didn’t want to pay exorbitant prices they had the big ones priced at for manufactured/faux patina, so I made myself one and a dining table for my family. Had a couple ask me to make them a flag and so I got back into woodworking as a hobby. Started with a Skilsaw and a drill and a borrowed table saw.

[@sandyshelton40]

Nice job. They look great

[@littlebird7020]

Wow! Very nice work!

[@midwesthuntingoutdoors]

We have made a lot of flags, however these hand carved stars are amazing! Great video great job

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you

[@Raccount100]

Great job!!!

[@adamlarson5976]

Those lines are so crisp ! Job well done sir

[@georgevanvalkenburg2560]

MAHRONI, EXCELLENT VIDEO. THANK YOU FOR CARING SO MUCH ABOUT "OLD GLORY." MEN AND WOMEN HAVE GIVEN THE FULL MEASURE FOR THOSE STARS AND STRIPES AND WHAT THEY REPRESENT. THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE CLEAR, CONCISE, AND CARING INSTRUCTION..... KISS: Keep It Simple, SMART! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

You are so welcome

[@BLAZEPET]

Great video. It will take time but those come out best! A little hack, grab a rubber mat or a damp rag for under the board to stop the sliding so the carves come out smooth. Also a camera mount off the table so it dosent shake. Thanks for the info new subscriber!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@BLAZEPETthank you

[@FernandoRodriguez-kn1mm]

That’s amazing!!! Love it

[@timbyrd8276]

Great work and video. I really appreciate the time you put into your flags. Thanks!

[@kaneparks2721]

That is amazing. I get stressed out using the star template and using spray paint trying to get clean lines. I don't think I've got the patients for carved or dremal. But the final product of your details are amazing!

[@bshoff3]

Nice work! Really like how it looks.

[@dmc6870]

Nice work, nice to see work done by hand and not CNBC machine.👏🏼🇺🇸👏🏼

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you, I take a lot pride in it, and even now after getting a CNC and a laser, I continue to do the unions by hand.

[@lexieharvey8186]

Your quality of star carving is great! I can't bare to spray paint stars onto my flags. I use the dremel technique and yes it worked, but it was super dusty (even with the mini dremel fan attached to the drill tip), and it just does not have the upscale classy look that your chizel carved stars have. Also the dremel method still took me an hour and a half to complete 50 stars. So even if your chizel method takes me 2 hours for a 50 star union, I feel the carved stars upscale the flag look by 10 fold! My next flag project will be the "wavey" flag type, with your upscale chizel stars! Hmmm i think i better practice first on a flat union flag first though. TY for your skilled tutor tips for us newbies!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

On a good day it takes me 4-5 hours to carve a union. Good luck, and definitely practice! My first one (my personal flag) does not look great but by the time I finished all 50 stars I had gotten lots of practice and nearly perfected my technique so the second flags union looked way better.

[@lexieharvey8186]

@@Hwoodwoodwork wow 5 hours, ok that then is something I would only carve for special family projects then!

[@angelacox9385]

So awesome!!! I have watched your video more times that can count. I am new to carving and have been trying for days to mimic your technique. I am using pine and mine keep crumbling and splitting. You sure make it look a lot easier than it is! Thank you so much for making this video!!!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Pay attention to the grain, and take off smaller bits, pine is difficult to work with.

[@Michael-yt3wz]

Great video. Just practiced my first one after watching this...unfortunately, mine does not look as nice and it wasn't as easy as you made it seem. 🤣🤣🤣 more practice is in my future.

[@mike86982]

I agree with most everyone who has seen your video. Your star making is enjoyable to watch and the results are amazing. I do have a question. How to you keep from getting paint bleed outside of your lines. Thank you for sharing your skills and answering my question, in advance

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

For the stars layout prior to carving, I used an adhesive backed vinyl as the stencil. Being a sticker it doesn’t bleed much, and it is pretty light coat of paint . The blue does sometimes bleed deeper into the wood in softer wood spots or at the nail holes.

[@joeaguilar-teacherofthewor4166]

Outstanding work.

[@stevefulcher8031]

Thank you for the video. I tried using my dremel tool and that is not easy. I'm going to try this for sure !!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

I can’t promise this will be any easier, and it’ll definitely take longer, but I can promise they’ll look better 😉

[@robriste]

Awesome work buddy, cheers

[@Mert_C_Flerkins]

Amazing!! Awesome job!!

[@brownmht]

That is awesome! I’ve always wanted to figure out how to do my stars like that. The best I’ve been able to do is with a Dremel. I am going to try this method. Thank you so very much for sharing.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

You’re very welcome! I hope they come out well for you.

[@royhennagir7685]

Thank you for sharing.

[@markzerinskas1806]

Beautiful work. That is craftsmanship

[@steveminla]

What's really sad is, you make it look easy enough to make people think they ca do it themselves...but I know it's entirely MORE difficult to get your kind of good and consistent results! Hope to know practice this to see how I do attempting this. Thanks for sharing!!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

It’s not actually all that difficult. Yes, mine look amazing, but it took only the first Union to really get the hang of this manner of carving them. Granted, that is 50 stars 😄, so yes practice practice practice

[@p99shooter]

Stunning work..WOW 🌟🇺🇸🌟 I was wondering about how many stars you can do before the chisels require honing or re-sharpening?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

p99shooter I give it a quick hone every so often while carving.

[@Brian-hx9wy]

Think this would work on plywood? Ps. The birds in the background are relaxing. I love listening to birds while I’m outside lol P.s.s. I am glad there are still some people out there doing wood work by hand. None of that CNC bull crap.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

It might not look as good or it would be unique with the layers maybe. I do have a CNC, but I started doing flags before I got it, and continue my stats this way because there aren’t many (if any) others who offer stars like mine.

[@Brian-hx9wy]

@@Hwoodwoodwork I’ll have to try a sample piece before. I did plunge route a line and it came out pretty good. Thanks

[@nicwatson1225]

Really slick, thank you

[@jjcjr009]

Beautiful, 😊

[@brianjdonnelly8643]

Making it look easy!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Haha! Thanks

[@harrisap14]

Thanks for the tutorial. My next flag I want to try this

[@jandblawncare8570]

Those have to be the best looking stars Ive seen! I just started making wavy wooden flags and the stars are the biggest pain and being on curves some are very challenging. I use a Dremel with a 105 bit and magnifying glasses but between the glasses giving me vertigo and my shaky hand it's quite a process lol. Have you ever done this on curves?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@jandblawncare8570 I have not, would love to give it a try though. Not sure I have the time to do the curvy surface.

[@jefffoo7666]

Thank You for the tips/technique/Help ! !

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

You’re welcome! I hope it helps.

[@KenJohnson-fz5ep]

Thanks for sharing, your union is a beauty. On the subject of sharpening chisels…I see that sharp tools are key to your methods. How far do you take it? From the videos I have watched, there are folks out there putting insanely sharp edges on their tools. Can you tell us, in general, your basic approach? How far up the grit scale you go?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Not insanely sharp, I have a sharpening block from harbor freight with 200, 300, 400 and 600 so after the initial sharpening every so often I will give it a few passes on the 600 while carving

[@ChristianCMC]

Great job. I noticed your union has rounded edges, rather than square or pointed. I'd like to see a video of how you build a complete flag. Thanks man.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Maybe, I don’t a ton of flags or a lot of videos. My method is a bit unorthodox compared to the way most guys make them. I use pallet wood so there’s a bit more labor.

[@ChristianCMC]

@@Hwoodwoodwork I have seen alot of videos of guys making these flags and each seem to have slightly different ways. Some paint stars, carve with dremel, chisel. Etc. Thanks

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@ChristianCMC if you look me up on Instagram, you’ll be able to find my flags and other stuff I make @hwoodwoodwork

[@ChristianCMC]

@@Hwoodwoodwork Cool thank you.

[@Sheepdog1314]

very cool

[@tracyschroeder9296]

good work brother!

[@buterdhams]

Great art. Skilled

[@ltrtiger]

Great job!

[@rayraden2527]

Nice work thanks for sharing

[@PaulMilovich]

Great video, do you have to sharpen your chisel often

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

I hone it multiple times while carving to keep things smooth

[@zinoorr1056]

Best Stars thank you

[@zinoorr1056]

Why are the stars painted before you carve?

[@Wolfe_Metals_Stacking]

To mark where they go before they get carved out.

[@johncamp7679]

This is what I’ve had in mind, I’m not wanting something quick and easy like a sticker. I want depth. Thanks.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@johncamp7679 I highly encourage it!

[@ravenXcozmo]

Forget a CNC when can I hire this guy !!

[@spokeman]

Wow very nice

[@jamescardwell8154]

I like this

[@timlist4173]

Looks very good. Two days just to carve the 50?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Haha! Feels like it sometimes, but about 4-5 hours

[@stacygerlich5807]

Excellent video and instruction. Do you typically make your unions as one piece?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Yes, I glue together boards from the same pallets that I use for the stripes.

[@stacygerlich5807]

@@Hwoodwoodwork good looking and crisp

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you

[@jasonjones1165]

Nice work! Do you mind sharing the color and brand of stain you use. Thanks

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

The blue is a watered down paint that has sent been discontinued. For red, I use Minwax Sedona Red.

[@jasonjones1165]

@@Hwoodwoodwork thanks for the quick reply.

[@carlosm186]

Great video! What wood species would you recommend for practicing carving? I’ve been carving a few stars on pine and have had limited success.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

For practice carving stars like these, pine is definitely not the best choice. Something with tight grain and is soft would best.

[@bry4nt0n1n]

Where have you been man?!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

What do you mean? I’ve been carving these stars since 2017!

[@bry4nt0n1n]

@@Hwoodwoodwork You havent been posting lately, You seem like a cool and fun guy to watch, plus i really the detail that goes into your work! Keep it goin!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thanks! Yeah, I just don’t have the time and energy to do videos all the time. If you wanna see more of my work though you can find me on IG and Facebook. @hwoodwoodwork

[@C-Infidel-Archer-78]

my wife is going to be so upset with you, now I need to buy chisels, very nice work man

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

My apologies to your wife 🤣

[@bikerdad63]

Wow, beautiful work. You do need chisel control to do that.

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Thank you

[@johnwehmeyer4559]

which type of wood are you using? I do slot in Doug fir but I seem to get splintering on some stars. your work is beautiful and there are still slot of people who appreciate work done with hand tools. Keep it up

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

It’s all wood from pallets, so the species varies. I would say most are a pine species, but I do notice some hardwood every so often

[@JohnColgan.]

Very nice work Sir, patience of Job doing a whole flag. How long start to finish? Who's was the 3rd hand that kept popping into camera view?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

I’ve only done it one sitting a single time and it took about 4 1/2 hours. That hand belongs to one my daughters

[@matthewzundel7634]

How long to do the entire union? Nice job!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

4-5 hours

[@dookibooki8723]

Sorry if you’ve answered this, but how do you approach a knot with this method?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

I take off a lot less with each pass since the know is so much harder. As for knot holes, I build the build the boards myself so I make sure there are none.

[@dookibooki8723]

@@Hwoodwoodwork that’s cool bro! I’ll have to try it out. I’ll tag you on IG if I do! Thanks for the knowledge transfer!

[@billknepp9358]

Mahonri, I make flags and many of them I give them a "rustic" look. I have never made my stars like that, just painted, but I'm going to practice and start making a few like yours, I hope! Now, do you put paint in your starts and if you do, what paint do you use?

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

I do not paint my stars (I did once because the customer wanted gray stripes and the stars needed to match) but I usually leave natural wood for any “white” of the flag and so the carved stars match the stripes. For me, the Stars and Stripes should always match.

[@billknepp9358]

@@Hwoodwoodwork Thank you for your reply. I like your style and i'm working hard on trying to get it perfect. It's a lot of work but I will get get right.One thing I really need to do is get more carving tools. I believe I read you got your at HF, and I wrote that down. You do amazing work, and I watch this video to correct my mistakes. Thank you!

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

@@billknepp9358 yeah, I use HF chisels. I did have to sharpen them all properly initially and frequently while I carve.

[@eddiecastillo2609]

What chisels do you use brand and type? Thanks

[@Hwoodwoodwork]

Straight chisels, I got them from Harbor Freight and sharpened them up real good, and regularly sharpen them.