Newbie ?????

[nyfireman3097]

Hello my name is Nick. I am very intrigued with wood carving. I never have done it before I just orderedthe magazine to start reading about it. I have a couple of questions. Also will tell you what I have in mind for my project that is getting me into this.
First ill explain my project :

I have a reef tank that I built the stand and canopy for. Like my handle name states i'm a NYC FIreman. So I came up with an idea for the front of my canopy. I want to cut out blocks of wood into all diffrent sizes and carve them into looking like buildings so that it looks like the NYC skyline with the Twin Towers in the middle. Then on the sides I want to make a ladder going from the bottom of the canopy to the top and then carve a fireman carring a baby that will be hung onto the ladders. I am not expecting the fireman to look life like but that it looks cool.

Ok heres the questions now........

1. What type of wood do I use ?
2. What tools do I need ?
3. Where do I get them ?

I am looking foward in interacting with you guys and learning this trade

Thanks in advance
Nick

[rick-in-seattle]

Nick,
You might find this interesting:
http://www.cca-carvers.org/ortel.html

[nyfireman3097]

Thank you it is I am gonna email him now and start talking to him. Any suggestions on tools ?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Ha ha Pete Ortel was my first thought too, and I doubt anyone here can give you any info better than his! He is a great carver!Talking

[Mitchell]

Nick,

There have been some threads on beginner tool recommendations in the past with some info here:

http://woodcarvingillustrated.com/fo...earchid=179550

It should get you started.

Rick has the best beginner set that I know of - check his site listed at the bottom of his post above.

The best suggestion would be to find someone in your area to help you get started. Look around for a club that's nearby. Peter Ortel is a member of a club near NY, I believe. Of course NY is a big area, so he may not be that close.

Good luck.

[Donna_T]

Nick,
For a new carver, one of the really important components of learning to carve--besides having good, basic tools, is to connect with a carving club for help and support. If you'll look in the top right hand corner of this website, you'll see club search. If you click on it, and scroll down to New York, you'll find a lot of New York carving clubs and their contact folks listed. Find one close to you and visit or join their club. Another place to look is the Colwood (woodburner) website--they have lots of carving clubs listed, too.

Other than that, the suggestions already made are great. Get a carving glove, get 3-4 good, sharp tools, use good northern grown basswood, keep trying.

Donna T

[nyfireman3097]

Sorry for the late response for some reason I did not receive anyemails letting me know that anyone responded. I received one and that was for the first response on the post. I will look into everything you guys mentioned thank you. I ordered some knifes right here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6436&rd=1&rd=1
What do you guys think of them ?
Thanks
Nick

[nyfireman3097]

Sorry for the late response but I was never notified about the responses. Mod please look into that I do have it set up to notify me.

Thank you for all your responses. I ordered some tools on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6436&rd=1&rd=1
What do you guys think ?
As for the clubs I looked into them and there are none near me the closest is in the bronx which is over a hour away from me. My learning is gonna have to be from here and just doing it unfortantly. As for the basswood and glove what kind of glove do you guys use ? What places sell basswood ?

[nyfireman3097]

This is the third time i am writing this for some reason it just not posting. MOD please look into this for me

Sorry for the late response I for some reason never received emails letting me know there were posts. I have it set up to email me.

Well ill try this again lol.
I bought these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...5103&rd=1&rd=1
What do you guys think ?
Also I found a place for the wood online in another thread. I looked into the clubs but none aree close to me the closest is in the bronx which is over a hour away from me. So it looks like the only way for me to learn how to carve is here and by just doing it so PLEASE anypointers let me know Also if you guys have any links to gloves please post them here.

[papasar]

nick<
I jumped to this post.
I come from a FDNYC family. Everyone but me, but I hunted and fished with firemen all my life. Thanks for your service! Lived in Flushing most of my life. I'll scout around to see if there is a carving club near you. Closest one I know of so far is in New Hyde Park. Clubs are a great place to learn. Carving is also ideal for a fireman in a slow house with a lot of down time. Beats watching the tube.
Bill K>