[Fletch]

Hello, I just found this community and it seems very active, friendly, and helpful. I'm looking forward to wasting plenty of time reviewing the backlogs.

So, I'd like to get into woodcarving again. In doing so I've been putting together a wish list of tools, and I'd appreciate any advice you have. I've picked out my set of chisels already, but now I'm looking for something bigger for my tiny workshop (which will be a drawer).

Ultimately, I'm interested in doing very simple relief carvings on some small tiles (around 3"x3") both square and non-square geometric shapes. Since I live in an apartment (no noisy tools) and my closest family with a scroll saw is an hour away, I figure I should pick up some kind of saw so I can cut my planks of basswood into the shapes I need.

The wood I'd be cutting wouldn't be any thicker than an inch, usually less than that. I'd like to have as tight a turning radius as possible for the odd shapes.

Living in Canada , I went through Lee Valley's catalogue to see what looked about right. Would a coping saw or Japanese keyhole saw do the trick? Or would I just be breaking blades left and right? Is there something better I missed?

Thanks for reading all that, I appreciate any insights.

Take care,
Rob

[mdallensr]

A coping saw worked for carvers until power tools came along, and would be just the right tool now. You can get round blades that allow you to change direction without turning the saw, and that might help you with tight spots. As long as you're cutting normal carving wood, and you secure the wood in a vice or clamp, you shouldn't have a problem with broken blades. Mike