Do I have the right tools to start ???

[Francois]

Hi, I was given a set 6 gouges and chisels , here it is:

Set with 6 pieces, D 6er

it's composed of these : D 1/8, D 1s/8, D 5/8, D 8/7, D 11/1, D 12/2

I want to start learning buy doing some simple chip carving and ultimately get into some more serious relief carving if I can.

I'm wondering if I need more tools than that to start carving. Are they too small?

Do I need something bigger just to take off material ?


Also, I've got some pine board at school I was planning to use and probably try to find something better along the way. Would it be ok to start ???

Thanks for the help!

[richipper]

It's a good set for relief carving... not chip. Some chip with gouges but most use a knife.

[Claude]

That is a good set of gouges.

Available wood depends on where you are located. Pine is not usually a good wood for carving because of the alternating hardess and softness of the growth rings. In Europe, linden is a good wood to start with; in the US it would be basswood. I agree with richipper, gouges are great for carving in the round or relief, but not usually used for chip carving.

Claude

[Francois]

Ok thanks,
and would you think I need a mallet to start relief ???
and what about one bigger gouge to take off material ???

[Claude]

The largest I use are a #3/22mm, #8/17mm, and #9/14. Of these, the #3 is nice for smoothing the background of a relief, while the other two are better for removing waste wood, in my opinion.

You could use an ordinary hammer instead of a mallet, if you wanted. You could also take a 75mm cube of a harder wood such as oak or maple, drill a 25mm hole in it and glue a dowel into the hole.

The reason i like the mallet is not because I can whack the gouge real hard, but precisely for the opposite reason: I can make gentle taps on the gouge with the mallet and control precisely how deep the edge will go. Using your arm and shoulder muscles to make a fine, controlled, cut with a gouge is very difficult, but a couple of taps with the mallet on the gouge, and it's totally controlled.

Claude

[Francois]

Ok,
So if I was to buy one gouge to take off waste wood wich one would it be ?
Thanks for the tips .

[Claude]

Either the #8/17mm or the #9/14 would be fine. You could alter the width as well - maybe get the #8 as a 12mm if you're not planning to use a mallet. The exact sweep and width of a gouge you primarily want to use for waste removal is not that important. Even a #7 or #6 would be fine, and any of them could be a "fishtail" shape. Personally, I probably use the #8 more often than the #9, as the #8 cut is a little wider and a little shallower than the #9.

Claude

[Canopener]

The important first step in carving is to take the first step and carve, worry about the tools later. It sounds like you have some good tools. I started by just saying "Oh; I can do that" and searching around for tools I already had. Then I figured out I better sharpen them.......................
Jim

[Mottles]

Looks like Claude and Jim have lots of good recommendations and information for you. A chip carving knife and some Linden/limewood (we call it basswood in the USA) would be my recommendation. You have some nice tools there and they will do most anything for you.
Almost forgot Welcome!

[Robson Valley]

Are they as good as or better than razor sharp? That's what makes wood carving a real thrill for me. In the meantime, get a piece of wood, pine is fine, and start digging away at it. Clamp it down to the bench. Have good, strong light. See the marks, feel the effort for deep cuts. Go smooooooth on the curves. Mess with the tools.
Hindsight tells me that I take 2-4 months before I decide on a new tool (open stock Pfeil, usually).