Newbie needs info

[Brian in Alabama]

Hello all... I am a 38 year old just getting started into wood carving. There are several areas I am interested in exploring but for now I am thinking relief carving might be the best to start with. I bought a series S Foredom 2276 kit but really, I have no Idea how to use it completely. I sought some hand tools but none are around here so I guess I am limited to power carving using this rotary tool. Can someone give me some ideas on what i need specific and maybe some beginner experience?

I am using basswood, wild cherry and other hardwoods. I have a carbide burr, and a couple others.

Thanks!
Brian

[squbrigg]

Welcome to the best hobby known to man....er...or woman, wood carving. Welcome also to the forum, a great bunch of folks here and you should find lots of answers to any question you might have.

With a Foredom and a few burrs, (and some practice) you will be able to create virtually anything you can think of, birds, characters, animals, letters, designs, dragons, you name it! Burrs come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and degrees of roughness. Think sandpaper! You start with coarse sandpaper and work your way finer, same thing with burrs. Start with coarse carbide burrs and work your way finer. You will need to cut out a shape to begin a carving, or purchase a blank (pre-cut out and shaped carving) but practice with some simple things to get the hang of it. Make an egg, a good simple exercise. Then try carving a face into it.

Practice, practice, practice. For edged tools, there are plenty of suppliers around, but check out Rick's Little Shavers online here. He's great folks and very reliable and knowledgable.

Have fun carving.

Bob