limited space and supplies

[macaro1]

i want to start woodcrafting but the only places i could do it is in my bedroom or in the basement but my room has carpet and i have no idea how to pick up wood pieces in my basement, any ideas on how i could do woodcrafting in both rooms?

[SlowMover]

I am visiting my mother for the holiday, and just finished carving in her livingroom. I have an apron with a skirt on it that catches the vat majority of the chips, I spread an old sheet under me to catch the stuff that escapes the apron, and a vaccuum cleaner gets the rest of the errant cips from her persian carpet...no problem whatsoever. You can carve anywhere.

[Just Carving]

I use an old bath towel folded across my lap when I'm whittling/carving. Some chips escape, but I pick them up. And like Slow Mover says, then there's the vacuum cleaner. As for power tools, you'll have to do it outside.

Bob L

[jfixit]

For sure on the apron. Wear sleves that chips are less likely to cling to, not sweaters or fleece if you get my drift, and have something on your feet (I wear a pair of moccasins). Socks can carry the errant chip all over the house. This works for me both in the kitchen and basement.

[Claude]

Originally Posted by macaro1

i want to start woodcrafting but the only places i could do it is in my bedroom or in the basement but my room has carpet and i have no idea how to pick up wood pieces in my basement, any ideas on how i could do woodcrafting in both rooms?

If by "pick up wood pieces" you mean the chips from carving, I use a dustpan and broom, followed by my shop vac to pick up the dust and small pieces the broom missed. If you don't have a shop vac, a regular home vacuum cleaner will work fine after you sweep up the bigger pieces.

Claude

[Whittled Thumb]

Build yourself a lap table to carve on. That's how I carve in doors. As for the wood chips, I just sweep them up in the living room where we have wood floors; in my office I just vacume them up after I'm done. When I carve upstairs I do it in my recliner. It's only as much room as...well a recliner LOL

Beauty of carving, you can do it any place

[E George]

Hi Macaro1,

Thanks for you post. I've just learned a couple of technics that I can use while carving at the Jersey shore.

Here's a couple of thoughts:

1. Depending on the climate at your location, carve outside. No clean up needed. It is a good place during warmer months. If you have access to an outdoor electric socket then you can use power tools.

2. Focus on the basement where clean up is easier. Maybe there a space under a stairwell that hasn't been claimed by storage of old china, clothing, or Christmas lights.

3. Use the search feature on this forum and try "small work benches". I saw one thread where a carver made a bench from stuff he got for free. There are lots of ideas in this forum by carvers who must deal with the same restrictions as you have.

I have a "kit" of three pocket knives, a small strop,a safety glove and a couple of pieces of 3/4" pine that I keep in the car (a mid-size car) and I often carve while my wife is shopping. That reminds me, I got to vacuum out the chips in my car. While serving in Vietnam, I carried an X-acto knife and a sharpening stone. I carved pieces of ammo create wood and also some pieces of native wood.

Have fun with your wood carving and post some photos of your work.

[sashadoc]

Due to limited finances I rent a room that's 15x20 and it has carpet. I went to the local market and picked up their largest box. Unfolded it measures about 5'x5'. It has a fold in the middle. When I carve I lay the cardboard down and plant my chair on the edge of it. It catches about 90% of the chips. When I'm done I pick up the cardboard (remember the fold?) and form a chute out of it to make it easier to dump. I pick up the errant,bigger chips on the carpet and vacuum. Try it.
Tim

[macaro1]

thx for all the info guys it has really help me out

[Dan S]

If you have room in the basement, set up a small bench. I see them frequently on craigslist. An old wood desk also works well. Add some good light and you have a work shop. I used to do woodworking on a 2.5 X 3' bench on the patio of a one bedroom apartment. You would be amazed what you can accomplish with just hand tools.

Dan