Hellos and question

takeaction · #1 06-30-2008, 09:37 AM

Hello all,

Brand new to the board as of just a bit ago today. Wanted to say hi and ask my first question. First a small background.

My grandfather carved a lot. He started teaching me when I was a small child (with supervision of course). I haven't carved since I was 13 and have forgotten most of what he taught me. I am disabled and have nothing but time now, so thought it would be a good idea to get back to it.

My wife and I own 32 acres of land with part of it in forest. We have mostly pine and cedar with a few oaks and beech around. So here's the question...

We have over 200 cedar trees (that's a small count actually), and I really want to work with cedar. I've been reading a lot lately and everything tells me to stay away from cedar in the beginning. Of these cedar trees, most are only 8-20 inches in diameter, with around 30 already cut on the ground and dried for 4 years.

Can I start with cedar anyway? should I cut wet or dried? With me being disabled, but not yet drawing disability (I'm in the works *sigh*), buying wood is out of the question. It just isn't in the current budget.

I, unfortunately, didn't keep my grandfather's woodworking tools when he passed away. I was young and stupid (a teenager), and didn't even think of the future. Very unfortunate, because he had over 50 tools that I can remember, and I'm sure there were more than that.

Do I start with the basic 6 piece set that I see listed here a lot? What about the ebay sets? I see 12 piece sets for $16... If all those ebay sets need is sharpening, that's one thing I can do VERY well.

I picked up a piece of dried gum yesterday, and within 3 hours had a pawn chess piece carved out with nothing but my hobby knife. I forgot how painful your hands get when starting out. HAHA

Thank you all for any responses in advance.

Wayne Smith

DADDIO · #2 06-30-2008, 10:33 AM

welcome aboard,i carve a good bit of cedar,i love it,it can be tricky because it's like carving 2 different kinds of wood the white being soft the red being brittle and will pull and run on you.the cedar i carver has been down for years.i buy alot of tools off e-bay,and get real good deals on them because i know what i'm looking at and what they sell for new,unless you know your tools pretty well i don't reccomend e-bay,but if you do it can be a good place to buy.the set your asking about if it has that many tools for that price i'd stay away from them,that's about what you'll spend on one good used tool,sometimes you can get a good new tool for that.but if it's a whole set your probably looking at junk.check with rick at little shavers for a good beginners set.

Ron T · #3 06-30-2008, 11:45 AM

Hi Wayne,

Welcome. Sorry about your disability, I am too, but I'm glad you're not letting that stop you from carving. Don't think you've forgotten all that your Grandfather taught you. It's still all in there, just diluted by all of your other life's experiences. Once you start carving, like you just died w/ the chaess pice, you'll find it all starting to come back. As far as tools go, some of the really good carvers here use pocket knives, Exacto and utility knives. I mqake a lot of my own tools using other old tools, saws, even nails. Anyway, I know about budgets, so don't go overboard with tools yet. Find out the style and size carvings you want to do. Large carving need large tools, small ones . . . well you get the picture.

Good luck.

Eddy Smiles · #4 06-30-2008, 01:48 PM

Wayne...

Do yourself a favor. Start out with a beginner's set from LITTLE SHAVER"S or SMOKY MOUNTAIN WOODCARVERS. They come pre-sharpened, honed and ready to use, plus if you have any questions or decide that you want to build on that set all you need to do is give them a call back, tell them what you have and what you want to do, and they'll be happy to work with you. Beware of buying tools on ebay, Harbour Freight, Home Depot or any other non-carving outlet. They may say sharpened and ready for use but they're referring to the ability to carve soap, not wood.

Dan S · #5 06-30-2008, 10:51 PM

I'll throw in my two bits as well. If you buy junk tools you are just looking for misery. Most of these beginners sets you find will not take an edge or hold one if you do manage it.
I've heard good things about the tools from little shavers. As a starting place you can't go wrong on the deal he offers. If you go to him you can start carving immediately.
You can find also find good deals on old quality tools at flea markets and yard sales. I don't worry much about cracked or missing handles ot how dull the tool is. These things are easily fixed.
Good luck,
Dan

Eddy Smiles · #6 06-30-2008, 11:17 PM

Dan...

That's why I was specific in my suggestion about where to obtain a beginning set..... I don't believe that you can go wrong with either's tools.

As for sharpening.... as Rick stated on a recent similiar thread there are some tools out there that just aren't worth sharpening even when you buy them new. Unfortunately you need to have a bit of experience with tools and carving to determine which tools fall in that catagory.

carvnman40 · #7 07-01-2008, 06:48 AM

Welcome Wayne. If you were able to carve dry gum, you should be good to go with cedar. Go for it!! Let the chips fall where they may.
Mike

Dan S · #8 07-01-2008, 11:25 PM

Hey Eddy,
When I wrote that I was agreeing with you. I should have phrased it better. I am a real hound for old tools. I thouroughly enjoy working with a tool that has been arround a century or so. I am also a serious bargain hunter. I love to find a good gouge or an antique plane for a dollar or so. What I tend to forget, and need to keep in mind, is that not everyone has the time, patience or facilities to restore these antiques to working condition. When you want to start a new hobby waiting a year or so while you scrounge up old tools may not be the best use of someone's time.
One of these days I would really like to meet Rick. He seems to command a lot of respect from the carvers on this site. I wonder if he ever comes to Vegas...
By the way Wayne, I've tried cedar and it is not too bad a wood to carve. It did tend to chip where I least wanted it to.
Dan

Eddy Smiles · #9 07-02-2008, 03:12 PM

Dan...

No problem. I figured that's where you were coming from. I just wanted to try and clarify it for any newbies that might be reading the thread. I agree with you whole heartedly! For the most part the steel in an old tool is far superior to anything manufactured today. The problem is that there are a lot of folks out there trying to pass off new junk as old and that's where someone who's not totally familiar with tools can really get stung. Take any tool, throw it in an open tool box and leave it in the rain for a week, and voila, instant antique! My brother and I recently spent a Sunday morning at a very large fleamarket here in town and I couldn't believe the junk that one dealer was trying to pass off as old tools, never mind the price he was asking for them.

socrates · #10 07-04-2008, 01:17 PM

welcome dude although i cant realy help you much i can tell you one thing fore sure this is the right place to ask questions...nothing left unanswered nothing over looked is this places modow!!! dont forget safety first and nothing gets that done than carving gloves!!!!hehehe tools are only good if your able to work with them hehehehe happy carvings !!!!