Newbie to Woodcarving

[davbell22602]

I'm new to woodcarving. I got the Dremel 300 for Christmas. I wanna know type of wood you guys use for carving? I thought about just using some scrap pieces of 2x4's. Also is there site that has free patterns for beginners?

[Donna_T]

well, the short answer is that YES, you can use any ole wood to power carve, but bass, tupelo, juletong work best. If you have a Woodcraft store nearby, they often keep a supply of some of those woods. However, if you will go to the CARVING WOOD & MATERIALS topic, and search back through it for suppliers, you will find folks in various regions who sell supplies of wood by mail. Heineke or John Krantz both carry great northern basswood and you can order whatever sizes you need. Just google their names and get their contact information.

If you're totally new to power carving, I'd be remiss if I didn't issue some warnings: be sure to wear a good filtration mask when power carving. Wood dust is harmful and very toxic. Even with a mask, I use a dust collector, or at the very least, have a fan blowing the dust away from me. If you only have the bits that came with your Dremel, you'll find the metal stump cutter and even the sanding drums, the most helpful in learning to power carve.

Under SECTIONS at the left of this page, you will see PATTERNS. You'll find some patterns there. Almost any carving pattern can be adapted to power carving. Subscribing to Wood Carving Illustrated is a great way to get patterns and help with learning to power carve. There are even some good carving books that deal solely with power carving.

Good luck and have fun! Power carving opens up a whole new area of carving (and tools).

Donna_T

[davbell22602]

Thanks Donna T

[chipmunk]

buy a fuzzy ball a/ barrel cutter they cut fast i use them the most to rough out then use the little cutters to finish out or the sanding drums , the fuzzy balls get cloged up i use a torch , wire brush to clean them , i still have the first 1 i brought 30yrs. ago i've carved a truck load of stuff w/ it 1 of my better bits well worth the money!!! poplar,maple is good wood to carve, cabnet shops most time will give u some smaller pcs. for free glue 3/4 them together to make bigger pcs. that will get u a start as u get better then u can buy wood it don't make since to pay for wood that u may miss up ,,a board steacher is glue& sawdust lol..

[davbell22602]

where do get a fuzzy ball at?