New Kid On The Block

[TPaquette]

Bleeep- haha my little attempt at a pun. Kid= goat baby
Ok down to the serious stuff. I would like to Introduce myself i am Thomas and i Have been carving for little over a week. I have always been good at art and have always admired woodworkers just have never been able to get into it because of the lack of a steady father influence in my life. My step father is a big woodworker now and has started to turn pens and bottlestoppers and i have been watching and practicing for a little over 3 weeks i went to a turners meeting and I saw some carvings there and fell in love. I started doing small scale research and went to woodcraft to purchase my first set. It was a Flexcut holiday set with instructions. I purchased 2 books and got a magazine and sharpening stones. I would like to get into relief carving and Walking sticks and wood spirits I am using poplar as of now but i think i may try to convince my mother to take me to AC moore and get some basswood today anyhow i am looking for any tips any one has available on any and all subjects of carving even if you can just offer tips to whittling.
Thanks for all who take the time to read this and many many thanks to all who offer advice.



----- Thomas

[Irishman]

Hello Thomas,

Welcome to the carving discussion board. I see that you've been carving poplar. I carve a lot of raw poplar as its so plentiful around our area...and its free. You mentioned woodspirits and using logs is a great way to hone your skills at very little expense. Use the search on the site for topics your interested in as you'll probably see that we have already had a lot of discussion on various subjects. Then there is the tutorial section of the message board. Good luck in your carving endevours and share with us what you carve.
Patrick

[TPaquette]

Thank you Sir,
I have typed in "cane" and looked around can't find one that matches my skill level or that i have the materials to at this moment however i am thinking that i will be getting so Basswood within the near future. as to your comment on poplar i am wondering if wether or not using dry vs green wood matters i gor a 12in w 5ft L and 1 in H thats dry from Home Depot and cant seem to carve the wood like i would like to and am wondering if it the wood or the inexperiance or tools or simply ALL THREE im leaning toward the last one 70% however everything i read says that flexcut tools and poplar are both very good to begin with so .... Anyway thanks for the help.

[Irishman]

I have never used Flexcut tools so I cannot speak to that part of your questions, however, as for green or dry....if your carving raw wood (logs), I would go with green as its much easier to carve. I have never carved milled poplar so I can't give advice there. Basswood is very nice to carve but if you wish to try some woodspirits to practice on go with some freshly cut logs such as birch, poplar...anything but softwood which is stringy and sappy.
Patrick

[TPaquette]

Ah alright i think i am about to go to AC Moore to purchase some Basswood. I need to get down some techniques for carving any idea where to begin or should i just check the books and magazines i have? I Think that is where i am going to start as it is right there and i have a easier time acessing it and it should be able to answer most if not all my questions. Thanks again I'll be sure to post pictures in the future.

[Mitchell]

Some of the "specialty" stores will sell Basswood that is relatively hard, and expensive..don't stock up on this -- just buy it to practice and look for some other sources in sizes that you want. Poplar is "brittle" and has a tendancy to split. Basswood is highly recommended.

Read the tips already provided in this Forum.....there's MANY. Go to a couple of web sites that supply tips to beginners. I'll list a few.

GO TO THE CLUB MEETINGS! That's where you will learn the most, and maybe luck into some wood/tools, etc. Just about every carver I have ever met is willing to share their knowledge.

[Mitchell]

Places to visit:

Lora Irish's site with tutorials - http://www.carvingpatterns.com/#ONLINE%20TUTORIALS

Rick Ferry's site with lots of reference material - http://www.littleshavers.com/

Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers - check the Carving Tips section - http://www.woodcarvers.com/

Herman Westland's site with good/simple introduction (found through search) - http://members.shaw.ca/hwestland/bri...l#introduction

Chris Pye has a good site with free downloads - http://www.chrispye-woodcarving.com/

Nora Hall - http://www.norahall.com/

There's lots of material out "there" - It's hard to recommend something just for you without knowing what your specific likes and or needs are. At least these can get you started.

[Mitchell]

Don't forget to check the two threads at the top of the beginner section (Patterns and Instruction, and Teaching sticks).

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Thomas. Good to have you with us. Ask all the questions you want, we'll try to help you along. This board is a good place to begin, take some time and look through the old message archives and you'll see lots of useful information.

Best advice I can offer is: practice, practice and practice some more.

Bob

[Scott Hagerty]

Welcome to the world of carving! What part of the country are you located in?

If you have access to some experienced carvers you will be able to advance your skills at a faster rate.

This site is a great source for projects and advice.

Don't try to make your first projects perfect. Each project is just practice for the next one.

If you have any questions just ask on here and you'll get great advice.

Scott