Hi all.

I am REALLY new to this. Let me be perfectly honest. I haven't even made an attempt yet! (heheh) Right now I am doing my research, I don't really dig the idea of doing it all by hand. I definitely want to do detailing and minor stuff by hand, but I'd like to use a Dremel for most of the work.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

I found this: http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=prod...22-345-4962-03


I like the flex shaft, and it looks as though it will save me some money in getting started.

Any ideas? Is that a good choice? Bad? Why?

Thanks!

Dan

[AlArchie]

I have a dremel with the flex shaft and it is OK; just OK. The dremel really does not have the power needed to hog out a lot of wood in a hurry. There are several REAL woodhogs out there that would probably suit you better if you plan on power carving. If you have a spare motor around the house, do what I did and pick up a flexible shaft with a Jacobs chuck on one end. Then find a threaded arbor to fit the motor shaft and buy another Jacobs chuck for that. Chuck you flex shaft into the one mounted on the motor and use whatever burrs you want on the end of the flex shaft. I can guarantee you will not bog down that 1/2 or 3/4 horse motor!

Al

[jamesfa]

AlArchie-has a good suggestion if you have a spare motor a flex shaft will not be to expensive.
i use a dremel when i travel because it doesn't take up a lot of space-and when travelling a lot of the wood i take along is already roughed out
so in answer to your question a dremel is OK if your not planning to make woodspirits in tree trunks

[Randy48]

Dan, there are alot of flex shaft tools out there. The dremel works good for doing light carving, 'fine tuning' places that are hard to get at with chisels and such. I bought a 1/4 horse flex shaft tool from Harbor Frieght http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40432 Online and in the catalog they are $69.99 in the store they are $49.99. I have yet to bog it down even using a Foredom Typhoon burr eating a big chunk of Elm. It's not the fanciest machine on the market, but it's about 1/3 the price of the Foredom machines and does the same thing!

Welcome to the world of wood carving, stick with it and you'll never feel more relaxed!

[Donna_T]

Hi Texas_Dan,
My first power carver was a Dremel. Â*Because of the size of the body of it and the fact that it was hard to hold and control, I added a flexshaft next. Â*That was a great improvement. Â*It is much lighter weight than a Foredom and easier to 'tote' but I couldn't use the larger hogin' bits in it. Â*I ran across a Foredom at a auction and bought it for $40 and I use it almost entirely for roughing out and moving lots of wood (like with the Kutsall or Typhoon burrs). Â*Since then, I've added a Dremel Mini-mite which I throw in my carving box to use for minor cleanup like with a Scotchbrite pad or a sanding wheel. Â*I've since treated myself to a Ram 45 and I LOVE IT for great control and ease in doing detail work.

The point of all this....Different power carvers work well for different things. Â*And as time goes on and you get more demanding in what you want to do with with your power carver, you'll find better options. Â*

If you're not going to use it for moving lots of wood, the Dremel with flexshaft is hard to beat--price, convenience, weight, etc. Â*If you want something heavy duty to really move lots of wood and use a variety of shank-sized bits, then the Foredom Â*is Â*hard to beat. Â*If you want it to mostly do fine detail work (like birds), perhaps a micro, higher speed carver would be better.

So you see, it all depends on what you really want to do with a power carver. Â*Most of us can't afford the biggest, bestest from the start, so we ease into it with something that will work and not cost so much.

Donna T

hmm so the dremel might be good for starting with? i can always upgrade later i guess...im just trying to find something for someone new to the game. so just like you said, i can always change to something more suiting later...

since i dont know if i will be 'moving a lot of wood' as you guys say, is the dremel kit ok to learn with?

Dan

[quote author=Donna_T link=board=Beginner;num=1085771612;start=0#4 date=05/28/04 at 22:06:52]Â*If you want something heavy duty to really move lots of wood and use a variety of shank-sized bits, then the Foredom Â*is Â*hard to beat. Â*If you want it to mostly do fine detail work (like birds), perhaps a micro, higher speed carver would be better.
Donna T[/quote]

hmm... i guess that is why i am not sure, i know i am really anxious about charicatures (although i need to start out with some easy stuff). You mentioned a 'micro, higher speed carver' what would you suggest?

I am going to start with basswood, i've read thats best for beginners. I would assume that 'moving lots of wood' doesn't include something as soft as basswood. heheh

i'm so anxious to get started, just wanting to do it the right way. anyone know of a site with some basic hand tool suggestions? and what 'micro' carver would be good for general use charicature type carving?

Thanks for all the newbie help!

Dan

[MelNM]

Dan I love my hand tools, but I also have a Foredom which I don't use , the basic tool you need is a bench knife and you can do all your carving with that, make sure to get a quality one, there is a lot of cheap stuff out there. I also would reccomend a flat 1' gouge to rough out with. A 3/8 gouge. If your like me you'll become a tool junky and need to buy more tools to support your habit. Have fun carving

[squbrigg]

Hey Dan,

If you haven't carved anything yet, why not try attending a carving club meeting and trying out some of the tools of the other members, before you invest in tools? Don't ask to take them home, just try them there. They wouldn't mind, really.

It is very easy to spend a lot of money on tools, but to get started you don't really need to spend a lot.

Essentials are a basic set of carving shapes: like a plam set or a starter set of inexpensive carvers (a gouge or two, a viener, a skew blade, a straight blade, a good comfortable knife, and a small set of stones to sharpen them. A leather strop with honeing compound and you are away.

Power carvers can get really expensive, I have and use both Deremel and a Foredom and enjoy both. Burrs can get expensive: carbide, diamond, ruby, steel, and lots of shapes and sizes. Again, I would encourage you to try one before you invest in one.

Carving is the most relaxing pasttime I have ever enjoyed, becomes almost addictive, but nothing can compare for satisfaction and gratification.

Welcome to a new life my friend. Your journey is just beginning. Enjoy.

Bob

[Donna_T]

Just a postscript. Before you do power carving, be sure to get a good mask (respirator-style) to filter out all the toxic wood dust. A dustbox collector is good if you're doing power carving in your shop. Sometimes I do my roughing out in the great outdoors. I have a cup hook attached at the two back doors of our house that have electrical outlets nearby. Depending on which direction the wind is coming from, that's where I set up---with the wind blowing dust away from me.

Another comment: Basswood is not soft wood. It is considered hardwood that doesn't have much grain if it is grown in the NORTH. Obviously, it's not as hard as Walnut or other 'nut' woods.

I also agree that if possible, you should try any tool before you buy it. Attending carving club meetings might give you that opportunity because carvers are usually really good to let you try out their tools. I rarely ever use power to rough out caricatures--just use bigger tools to rough in the shape. If you think there are lots of hand tools, just wait until you see all the options in power tool bits!

Good luck with your quest...sounds like you're going through the right questioning process, but you're best bet is to buy 3-4 good tools and start there and add power later as you progress.

Donna T