Three questions from a beginning carver

[virwil]

1. What paints are best for caracture figures, etc?

2. How you cut proper blanks from which to carve? I have a band saw.

3. What would be a good set of gouges for a beginner? Brand?

I have carved "Dilmer," and characture of a bear with pants, shirt, belt, etc., and a hammer (small); geting ready to carve a little larger hammer (face on hammer head), and do another bear.

Oh, another question. I saw some basswood displays with marbles in them that could move as you tipped them back and forth. Any suggestions on how to make those and how to get the marbles between four posts?

I retired from pastoral ministry about 18 months ago at the age of 62. I had been at my last church 12 years and it was a good growing church, but I was having increasing difficulty physically. In 2009, I had five surgeries to correct structural problems that came from having four of my choppers shot out from under me; plus a removal of a couple pieces of shrapel from left wrist. I thought they got all of that our in the Naval hosp. in Japan when I was medevaced there. Today was one of those days where pain from the surgeries as I continue to heal the the pain from peripheral neuropothy from exposure to Agent Orange was almost overwhelming. You might find it somewhat amazing but carving helps me climb above the pain for I concentrate pretty hard in what I am carving. Carving is not only enjoyable, but it is also an escaping therapy from pain. I live in some pain every day but pretty well ignore it. Today that just was not possible. Carving helped me get my focus elsewhere. I am deeply thankful for all the wonderful help I've gotten from the members of Duneland Wood Carver's Club I belong to in northwest IN>

[aulddiy]

First of all can I assure you that using carving as an alternative to pain killers also helps me.

As for which paint while most seems to prefer acyrilic some use oil paint. As for gouges it will depend on what size of carvings you intend to work on.

Each carver appears to have his/her favourites. I was advised not to buy a set and I'm glad I followed that. Denny are my favourites at the budget end of the market, but thats just my opinion.

May you enjoy your new hobby as much as I do.

[Mitchell]

All your questions have been asked and can be found in searching the site.

MOST use acrylics because they are easy to clean up (after use) and little fuss to keep. Oils work well, but there is the odor and cleaning that has to be done.

Bandsaws are great for blank cutting. Any advice would depend on what you are cutting out. Again, search using "bandsaw pattern" or something similar to get some ideas.

Tools ultimately come down to personal preference. Hundreds of posts have some good suggestions - Search "beginner gouges" for a start.

Best advice - carve safe; wear a glove.

[mpounders]

I bought the FR120 Flexcut palmset from Smokey Mt. Woodcarvers and have been very pleased with it. Flexcut Palm Setss
But I like Shipley, Drake, and Denny stuff too!

[carver33]

I'll second Mike's reply on the Flexcut gouges. Though I have many other gouges, I often turn to the Flexcut interchangeable palm gouges. The nice thing is that you can pick up a few profiles initially and expand your set relatively inexpensively as you identify needs for additional profiles.

The tools come pretty sharp out of the box and hold an edge well. They can be maintained easily with just a strop, and can be touched up with a fine stone (I prefer diamond) if necessary.

Also, for finer finish work, I often don't even bother with the handle. the tools can be easily used for fine cuts without it.

[jmischel]

> Oh, another question. I saw some basswood displays with marbles in them that could move as you tipped them back and forth. Any suggestions on how to make those and how to get the marbles between four posts?

I've not seen that. Are you sure those were marbles and not carved wooden balls? A popular whimsey is to carve a "ball in cage" from a single block of wood. The links below have instructions or illustrations:

How to Whittle a Ball in a Cage (with pictures) - wikiHow
Ball and Cage Wood Carving Instructions

Or, search the forums here. There are lots of examples.

[carver33]

As Jim said, many carvers will carve balls in cages from a single piece of wood, separating the balls in place. However, some "trick" pieces are done by streaming the wood. It's then soft and pliable and can be bent enough to insert marbles or whatever. The wood is then straightened and allowed to dry. The piece then gives the illusion of an impossibility.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Band saw is the way to go. I use acrylics, I buy a bunch when Michaels runs a sale. As for tools I started with Flexcut and still use them from time to time, however my favorite tools are www.drakeknives.com I hope this helps.

Dave

[virwil]

Thank you all for responding to my questions. You've given some good ideas. Carving is such a great experience. Wish I had found this earlier, but working 50-60 hours a week left little time for a hobbie. The carvers in my club are great men and women, even one nun who comes in her habit and joins in and is a very good carver. I look forward to each Tues. morning even though I have to drive about 50 minutes to get there.

Thanks again. Now to do the web searches recommended. I hope you all have had a great 4th. Personally, I am thankfull for the opportunity I have had to serve our nation and its people.