[karenel]

I have been woodburning for alot of years, I draw all my stuff freehand. I am not used to using patterns I am trying to learn how to carve, have been practicing on maple, live in maine , no bass wood here, need suggestions on what burrs to use , Have a combo burner carver, also what other woods are used besides bass wood. any help would be appreciated

[susieq]

Hello Karenel,
No basswood in Maine??? I have a friend in Maine who is a retired commercial fisherman and he brought me a bunch of basswood from his property up there....... It's good wood too. Basswood from colder climates is always better. You might not be finding it in your local Lowes or Home Depot or lumber yard but I bet there is some up there.

I have no personal experience with sugar pine but I keep hearing how wonderful it is for carving so you might check into that too. Also, poplar is decent wood. When I started carving I used the white wood grade A 2x4's you can buy at lumber yards/big box stores such as Home Depot. It carved nicely and I could laminate a couple together to get the thickness I needed for my earlier projects.

But I am sure that there is basswood availible in Maine.....you just haven't found it yet. Keep trying and good luck.

Regarding burrs, I am assuming that right now your equipment doesn't take the large 1/4 inch shaft bits so the 3/32 bits for fine detail: the ruby flame is a very basic (everybody needs one or two) a fine diamond tip, something long and thin, or a tiny diamond flame, a diamond ball shape. The ruby flame is the only one I think is an absolute. The others are probably going to be useful but not knowing what you carve, I can't say for sure.... For roughing out, in the 1/8 shaft size, one of the small flame or cylinder shaped kutzalls or typhoon bits for major wood removal. There again, any shapes after those, would depend on what you are carving. Also, sanding bits, mandrels are really handy for finish work. Working with someone who power carves or even just watching them for a bit, will give you an idea what different bits do for you. If you don't have access to someone who can show you these things, maybe one of Frank Russell's new DVD's would be helpful. Fox Chapel has those for sale right here on this website.
again, good luck. Just dive in and do it.
susieq
susieq

[Aliciana]

Hi there
Susieg gave you good advise,it all depends on what you want to carve and what kind of wood you are using
below is an adress ,those people have a great selection of burrs and give good advise too talk to "Pop"
Maine has beautiful woods I forever smell the Pines and Sea air there is no other place I want to be.
Alice


http://www.chippingaway.com/

[Pyrographer]

I agree that you must have Basswood in Maine. I grew up in New England it is there. But there are many woods you can safely burn on but do be careful as many can cause problems. I have burned on Basswood, maple, italian poplar, natural birch to name a few.

Nedra

[Hugh P.]

Karenel, where do you live in Maine, I can give you directions to Cheap basswood in New Brunswick Canada. ??