[Rain]

Hi everyone, as is about to become glaringly obvious I’m not only new here but new to carving. Ok you'll have to grit your teeth and stick with me for a moment, as I know practically none of the terminology or techniques or etiquette etc...

So it is 12:25pm as I'm writing this making me officially interested in taking up wood carving for approximately ten hours. (eye-rolling time ^_^) That said, I have always harboured an interest. I used to sit when I was about ten and chisel away at useless blocks of firewood with a blunt chisel and some nails to no result.

Anyway, last night I had a dream of sorts which developed into what is probably an overambitious idea. I, as the title of the thread suggests, eventually want to make a travellers locket. (a name I made up) Basically, I travel an awful lot and had this little duck thing that I had when I was tiny which came on all my adventures...that poor little duck is now on an extended holiday in India somewhere never to return. So, yes I'm looking to replace it. I had an idea of a circular, almost disc shaped locket which opens to mini compass or fake compass or something along those lines. Obviously made of wood and preferably made myself. Now I know that's a long way off but my question to you guys is how on earth do I go about starting?

What style of wood carving would you suggest to take up, and how worth it is purchasing some beginners tools? Also, any recommended books would be much appreciated. I live in Somerset in the UK and can't seem to find a wood carving group of any kind yet so if anyone could help me out in that area as well? Apologies for the long post and general ignorance of it!

Thanks,
Rain

[Toffeeliz]

All I can say is welcome and good luck! I'm a newb too, and I live up Sheffield way. I like the sound of the idea, and am reallu sorry that i can't suggest any wood types or tool help.

What I can tell you is what tools I have as a beginner and what they are useful for. I'm doign more sculpture stuff, but the basic tools look to be the same as for relief carving. A gouge, a V-shaped one and some flat chisels, along with one of those saws where you can carve out holes *mabnouverable bland sort of thing* and a proper big saaw for roughing out . Henry Taylor tools have a beginners set which set us back £40 or so for 5 chisels, but they work well and my Grandad says they are good kit and will last years .

Maybe you could get some plasticine and model it to the compass you want? then the more experienced pros on here can tell you what they think

[AlArchie]

Hi, Rain!

I can see several possibilities for a project like this. First, check one of the really good hardware catalogs for those mini-insert hinges. Lee Valley is one..Lee Valley Tools - Woodworking Tools, Gardening Tools, Hardware
These little hinges are brass, won't effect a compass, and are inserted into tiny slots with no attaching screws necessary.

You can also find mini insert compasses available from The Wood turner's Supply......check here...Mini Compass - Woodturners Catalog

These small compass inserts are easilly installed by pre drilling the proper sixed hole and then gluing them in. These are the small plastic liquid damped styles. They will work well, but if you want a better compass check with Tru-Nord out of Brainard, MN for insertable brass, non damped compasses. They are around 13/16" dia ansd a half inch or so deep.

There are several othe wood carving, clock making and wood turning outfits that carry compass inserts and I've gotten them from several of them...just can't remember where for sure right now.

One thing to be careful of though. If you get a liquid filled compass of ANY kind, ask the supplier to check for a bubble in the liquid, and send you one with NO bubble. And ask that it not be shipped via air......if it is, the case will leak and you will have a bubble in it when it arrives. This does affect the accuraCY of the compass.

Al

[Joggernot]

Before 9/11 I took tools with me when I traveled by air or car. Now, just by car. I don't want to lose my tools to the airlines for any reason.

Our club recommends a single knife for carving small items, a "fish glove" to protect the hand, and a thumb guard for new carvers. That way the start-up costs are minimal. After a couple months carving small items, the new person will know what they want to do: chainsaw, large, medium, small, and how many other tools they will need. I just checked eBay and found a bunch of carving knives for beginners for sale at decent prices.
Joggernot

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Welcome.....shipping is tough for you being in England, but Rick at Littleshavers has a great beginners kit...plus if you just want a pocketknife, check out his Kershaw doublecross which he modifies......or....an "Oar Carver", from Ron Oar ....

[slather]

Just wanted to welcome you Rain , The others have gave you very good sugestions already

[Rain]

Wow, didn't expect so much enthusiasm, thanks for the great tips!

Quality is the priority over expense because I'm looking to make something that will stand the test of time (as much as my skill..or lack of...will allow!) as it will hopefully be with me on my travels for some time. It's this almost old-world style of compass which I really love:

I'm having a bit of a hard time finding an insert version, but I shall keep looking! With the hinge, does the non-screw version sacrifice any quality at all? I can just see myself using one with screws, the screws falling out and searching on my hands and knees in a crowded foreign fish-market to find it :P. Another thought just crossed my mind; I'm assuming I'll need some kind of clasp design or something, does anyone have any suggestions? Also, what kind of wood would be best to use? I don't mind putting in a lot of practice with woods which are easier to work first and building up to a hard wood if that's what would suit it best, I love the journey of learning a new skill.

[Rain]

Hi Ho silver, I really like your wood spirits!

And slather, I am completely in love with your serious mountain man!

[Dan S]

For what you want to use it for you may want to use a hardwood. Rosewood, ebony or cocobolo would be beautiful. If you can find access to someones shop for a bit you could split the wood and drill out the hole for the insert in one half with a forstner bit. sort of like a clam shell. A forstner bit is sort of a flat drill bit that makes perfect flat bottomed holes. you could also use a scroll saw to shape it. The downside to my idea that the really hard exotics are a bear to carve with handtools. It's a lot easier with powertools.
As far as a clasp a simple hook and eye would work well and would probably look nice.
Dan

[Rain]

Oh no, I can't get the idea of using rosewood/ebony out of my head now. What actually is it that makes hand carving hard wood so difficult? Could it be done with a lot of patience for example, or is it really only for the very experienced?

I'd love to have it finished by mid-july time, as I'm volunteering in the Amazon rain forest which is truly going to be an adventure I wouldn't want to miss having the locket for. Do you think this would be at all possible?

I like the idea of a hook & eye clasp, I'll look into it.