Looking to start and buy tools

[john conway]

Greetings folks!!!

Can't wait to get started and learn some basic carving techniques, woods to buy and what not. I would dearly love your advice on the following:

Any good magazines/books to recommend/subscribe to?

What would you say is the absolute minimum carving tools to have? I live in an apartment and am looking to get something like a Black and Decker "Benchmate", if anyone hasn't see it, it's a portable bench with adjustable clamps/bench width...cool device.

That's it for now really! Thanks in advance for any responses - much appreciated and have a great weekend!
JC

[Mottles]

Hi JC, Rick has a nice beginner carving kit on his web site www.littleshavers.com I recommended the kit to a beginning carver friend of mine and she is very pleased. From this set you can build as your experience, pocket book and space allows. Rick is also a really great guy to do business with too.
As for magazines I subscribe to Wood Carving Illustrated and pick up from time to time Carving Magazine.
Hope this helps,
Kathy

[john conway]

Thank you so much! I'm on the website now and it looks superb

Thanks again!

[Bartster]

john,

welcome to the board,since you are starting out brand new i would suggest giving rick a call he will not steer you wrong,i would also suggest his beginners kit.it has all the things you need to get started.

it will come with a carving glove,WEAR IT AND GET USED TO IT.it is alot easier to wear it than to mend a cut finger for a week or so.

if you have any questions just ask we some good folks here on the board.


bart

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard John. Of course the best magazine to subscribe to would be Wood Carving Illustrated! You can't go wrong by starting at Rick's site and getting a beginners kit from him. The other necessities will come in time.....sharpening stones, more tools, books, etc. You don't need to spend a lot to get started, and enjoy yourself. Practice carving, practice sharpening and honing and practice carving some more. Experiment with woods and styles of carving. Mostly....relax and have fun!

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

All good advice and you might consider joining the NWCA "National Woodcarvers Assoc." membership includes the "Chip Chat" magazine, and...............learn to Sharpen you tools! before anything! do a google on Scary Sharp method........and order some 400, 800, 1200 and 2000 grit sandpaper and go for it!

[wade clark]

John,
Rick...Scary sharp...great beginning! The B&D workbench vice you refer to is a good tool. It won't be the only "vice" you end up with, but it'll be a good one to start with and you'll use it and others for a long time. Stores well, too.
Welcome!
Wade

[john conway]

You guys are just the best - I feel at home already! Thanks for the great advice - I'm going to order the beginner's kit today at Rick's website. And believe you me, I'll probably wear three gloves on each hand....I'm a classical guitar student!!!!

I did Construction Studies while in school so I have a basic familiarity with wood and have worked with my dad on multiple occasions in this area.

I'll let you all know when I get the kit and have made a start...
Thanks so much!
JC

[whitecree]

A knife of some sort is your absolute bare basic minimum tool 'set'.

This is NOT to discourage you from Rick's beginner set. I wish I'd know about it a few years ago when I got started.

[Kenny_S]

What they said, Rick, is willing to help and has the best advice And his prices are great.