Power carving

BobD · #1 09-24-2004, 11:36 AM

Hey everyone
I'm borrowing a Foredom from work to get a greater understanding of power carving. I'm going to try to do a relief carving of my wife holding my late son. What are the most useful burrs?

Bob

#2 09-24-2004, 02:28 PM

Hi Bob, the burr that will do the best job depends on the wood. For basswood, use a burr thats not too agressive. Basswood tends to fuzz, Use a bit that shaves the wood, rather than tear it. Tupelo works well with the carbide & diamond cutters. If you want to rough out the piece first with the tupelo wood. Foredom typhoon bits are great. But you have to go easy with them, they take a great bite, and will remove a lot of wood quickly. Having said all of this, I would probably stick to the carbide and diamond cutters for fine relief work. If your not use to power tools, a hint to grinding away wood. Go with the grain, not against it, the same as you would with a knife or a chisel. Hope this helps

Gray_Fox · #3 09-24-2004, 05:51 PM

[quote author=Hugh Parks link=board=Beginner;num=1096043781;start=0#1 date=09/24/04 at 14:28:06]Hi Bob, the burr that will do the best job depends on the wood. Â*For basswood, use a burr thats not too agressive. Basswood tends to fuzz, Use a bit that shaves the wood, rather than tear it. Â*Tupelo works well with the carbide Â*& diamond cutters. If you want to rough out the piece first with the tupelo wood. Foredom typhoon bits are great. But you have to go easy with them, they take a great bite, and will remove a lot of wood quickly. Having said all of this, I would probably stick to the carbide Â*and diamond cutters for fine relief work. If your not use to power tools, a hint to grinding away wood. Go with the grain, not against it, the same as you would with a knife or a chisel. Â*Hope this helps Â*

[/quote]

Gray_Fox · #4 09-24-2004, 05:54 PM

Sorry about that - I hit the wrong button.

Was trying to copy a quote and then respond to it, but I didn't do it right. Not sure I know how to do that.

#5 09-25-2004, 02:10 AM

Gray fox if you want to change the posting, just go to MODIFY in the right hand corner, and you can make changes to the posting.

Gray_Fox · #6 09-25-2004, 05:51 PM

Hugh Parks - Thanks for the tip. I'm computer challenged much of the time.

I can't add anything to this thread as I don't have power carving experience. Forgive me for changing the subject, but I just have to say AMEN to your phrase at the bottom of your messages where it references John 3:16 and the words 'If you have known Christ and forgotten Him, then you have lost everything'.

You see, I too know the One you talk about there. Many of the carvings that I give away have the message of the gospel in them.

#7 09-25-2004, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the encouragement.

BobD · #8 09-27-2004, 07:27 AM

To change subject again

The one I'm working on now is in Black Cherry...how is that for power carving? I've realized that the handtools I use on basswood don't work as well on the cherry

Bob

squbrigg · #9 09-27-2004, 03:16 PM

Hi BobD,

I enjoy using those carbide burrs, Kutzall, and they come in a couple of levels of agressiveness (blue, silver, gold), and should give you good service for relief carving.

Black Cherry should be excellent for power carving and shouldn't be too hard to come by. Enjoy your trial with the Foredom, I wouldn't do without mine now. You'll be wanting your own soon enough.

Good luck with the carving and enjoy.

Bob

BobD · #10 09-27-2004, 03:55 PM

Well Bob,
I grew up in McKean County, the Black Cherry Capitol of the world, so everytime I visit my parents, I come back with my Blazer full of cherry scraps. I've got one piece I'm looking at right now that is about 1/2 sap wood and 1/2 heartwood...That's for a special project.

Bob