Another Wood question

[cseymour]

Hi All,
I literally just got my Beginner's kit from Rick at Littleshavers (less than a week to get cross country -- very nice).

After all the great insight I got from my other post about practicing with Oak, I want to get some basswood to use.

My question is where do most people get their basswood and what sizes do most people get?

I know this is a question with no right or wrong answer, I am just curious. Also, does anyone know of any local suppliers? I am located about 70 miles north of NYC.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

Chris

[RUssL.]

I'll bite.

While I know that some get tired of the WCI Wood Supplier Mantra, THE source for basswood is:
http://www.heineckewood.com/

I just started carving less than a year ago so I can relate to your dilema.
I got a bunch of different sizes, for whittling, in-the-round and relief carving.

I got the largest pieces (more or less) I could imagine needing and cut some of those up with a table saw at work to make smaller blocks and plaques to give myslef even more ready-at-hand choices in my tiny workshop at home.

I also bought a few pieces of hardwood elsewhere, Itasca wood I think, to do other stuff with as time and experince progressed...some red oak, walnut and cherry, just for fun.

Lastly I bought a selection of beautiful butternut from Brian Bailey at:
http://www.baileyswoodworking.com/butternut.htm

I also cut some of that up at work.

Since I have yet to settle on one particular type of carving this selection is really handy and I find that raw material is not a limitation. No matter what my interest turns to I probably have a piece or two that will work, or can be cut to size to work.

...Well, you asked! ;-)

RussL.

[BobT]

I will second the recommendation for Heinecke. Best wood I have ever had and I can't find bad wood very much cheaper. I do not buy anything but their wood now.
Bob

[cseymour]

Thanks guys,
I apologize for this post. Right after I posted I saw there was a Woods and Materials forum. I am just so excited about getting started. I got my tools and now I am really chomping at the bit.

Thanks for your posts. RussL and Bob they are both very helpful replies.

Thanks again and enjoy your Turkey Day.

Cheers.

Chris

[flcracker]

if you have a woodcrafters near you they have a good selection .
I have also been using white pine, it carves nice and you can get
it from home depot.

Rick

[Mitchell]

Originally Posted by cseymour

Thanks guys,
I apologize for this post. Right after I posted I saw there was a Woods and Materials forum. I am just so excited about getting started. I got my tools and now I am really chomping at the bit.

Thanks for your posts. RussL and Bob they are both very helpful replies.

Thanks again and enjoy your Turkey Day.

Cheers.

Chris

Thanks for letting everyone know that you have your answer....

[mdallensr]

While I'm another booster of Heineke's, there is another source of carving wood in New England:

http://www.tuckawaytimber.com/

I've used them for butternut, and they are as helpful as henieke's in making special blanks. Mike

[Anda G]

Hi, I am also just starting out.

I ordered some wood from Itasca. They are just about as fast as Little Shavers.

I know you have heard it a million times, but I am gonna tell you again. Wear your glove. I clamped some wood down and didn't even think about the glove that little shavers sent. I have my first carving and first cut thumb! It's tiny, but, still.

Have fun.

Andagail

[mdallensr]

Andagail, your thumb will get even tinier if you keep carving pieces off of it. Mike

[Anda G]

Hehehe!
I know!