What to do? New Guy...where to start?

[SnubblestheChunky]

Hello,

I have been making simple furniture for a while and would like to get into carving and decorating the furniture as well.
My problem is that I am living overseas and there is not a guide or mentor to be found. So I purchased a simple cheap carving set from the internet and quickly got nowhere. The gouges and chisels were garbage, simply horrible. So..

1. What is some good material for someone going at this solo? Any book or video recommendations. I am not trying to carve faces but just ornament furniture. I did see Chris Pye has some videos.

2. Do I just buy a couple of Stubai or Pfeil and pay through the nose but get quality tools to start with? Or is there a more economical way?

I would appreciate any guidance you can give. Being overseas I don't get to look at books or videos before buying them, so you recommendations help a bunch.

Thanks!

[Blinky Bill]

G'day Snubbles,
and welcome to the site. Firstly just which country are you in? if we knew that you might be surprised to find that members are in or aware of the area and may be able to suggest who to contact in order to get help and advice. Secondly, you need to search for a book to suit the type of carving you have in mind be it Decorative, Chip, or Architectural carving......check out the projects and you will probably find the author will reccomend the minimum tools needed. And yes, you do need to buy quality tools and learn to sharpen them correctly, but buy them as you find work for them, don't rush out and buy everything you see <grin> Hope this helps a bit.
Regards
John

[Eddy-Smiles]

Snubbles... I second John's question and suggestions. Most importantly, his question. This forum gets inquires from all over the world and more often than not replies are different depending on where the person is located. With that said, if you're able to order from the U.S. or Canada then there are a number of woodcarving suppliers that will ship overseas so you can be assured of getting some quality tools. Also, once you decide on what you want to carve and what medium you'll be working with you can email them and a number of them will be more than happy to make recommendations.

[sashadoc]

When I first started carving I was really impressed with the old scroll work on furniture. I didn't get into that but I did do some reference work. You might want to visit this site. I was most impressed with Nora Hall's work. If you scroll down the page you will see free patterns, tools, books, and more. Hope this helps? Check it out and enjoy.

Tim
Nora Hall Carving Designs - Wood Carvings, Woodcarving videos, patterns, tools, and more

[SnubblestheChunky]

Thanks everybody. I am in China now, and not a major city, so I figured if you kind people pointed me in the right direction I can order tools, books, and DVDs in one shot . You nice people and the forums have helped me tremendously.

[carvingbarn]

For decretive relief carving you may want to look at Nora Halls DVDs. They are very good instructional videos.
Nora Hall Carving Designs - Wood Carvings, Woodcarving videos, patterns, tools, and more

[One Thumb Carver]

Snubbles
This is a good start.
Welcome and welcome to the Forum There are great carvers in this group who are more than willing if you ever need a helping hand. I know speaking from experience. Have a great week

[Bob K.]

You can't beat good quality...unfortunately it comes at a price. I would buy the best tools I can afford. There is nothing more frustrating and dangerous as using poor tools!

[Donsexton]

I bet you could find a smith in your town there in China that would forge any tool taht you had a picture of for not very much money. I did that when I was in the Philippines just show them a picture that you have printed. You will need to tell them it must be top quality steel. I had tools made and swords, hunting knives kitchen knives still have some of my PI made stuff.

[polarlys]

Hi Chunk, I'm in the same position as you. Looking to do some carving to accent furniture. I have a friend, however, who is an accomplished cabinet maker and carver. He's helping me build a grandfather clock. I needed a couple of rosettes for the upper case mouldings and the plan called for a stock spun rosettes. He talked me into making my own and carving a design appropriate to a 18th. century clock. He had all the tools and with some guidance they came out nice. And were easy to make. Anyhow, I got the bug. I can recommend a very good book to get for carving furniture elements. I just last night ordered a copy from Barns & Nobel so I know they have it. It's " Carving 18th Century Furniture Elements". You can look it up by title. Very good instruction and illustration. I think it will be a good place to start. Don't think you'll be disappointed with it. As for tools, I'm in the same boat. Junk is Junk and good tools are costly so we just will have to go slow and bite the bullet. Good luck with your efforts