Tips on whimseys?

[luckylukeski]

hey I'm brand new to carving and was wondering what kind of tools i need for carving whimseys. I have a simple pocket knife and some hand tools, but was wondering how i could make it easier, especially in the hard to reach areas (like separating the ring in a trapped ring/ slip joint/ chains, etc.).
Also any other general tips on whittling/ whimseys that would be useful.
And any suggestions for first whimsey to carve? And size block i should start with (I'm planning on using basswood)?
Thanks!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I think all the ol timers used a pocketknife and that was it....there are a lot of good pocket knives out there now....I have an Oar Carver that I really like, Rick at little shavers sells a Kershaw that people like a lot....maybe do a little research on them if you don't want to get into micro gouges etc.

[luckylukeski]

thanks. any more tips anyone??

[Bartster]

maybe looking into getting some of e.j tangermans books he carved alot of these and one of his books is just on whimseys {fans, ball in cages, chains and such}. hope this helps

bart

[Thomp]

as for tools i cant recommend anything but the beginners carving kit from ricks for a beginner it has all the tools you'll need for most things,
find it at www.littleshavers.com and you cant beat the reshaping deal for free ... http://www.littleshavers.com/BegKit.html


try searching the main board for whimsy, or wooden chains or wood chains, spoons its all relevant although its not classified under one search word. theres several posts by rick on the whorther museum(sp)

i did and just got 10
heres a
good one
http://www.littleshavers.com/Whimseys.html
A question regarding plier construction
working wood pliers
A whimsical bird...
A whimsical bird...
Questions on bars and chains
one-piece-knife
Chain pattern & instructions
Carving Spoons
Chain carving
this should get you started and these posts have links to take you to the web on specific items..
enjoy and keep them tools sharp.

[EdO]

Whether your pocket knife will be good for whimsies depends on the profile of the blades. It should have at least one small narrow blade, something like the one pictured (please ignore the gouge).

I agree that one of Tangermans books would be very helpful.

[TommyPhillips]

I have just recently completed my first two-link chain. (Is two links enough to call it a chain? Anyway, I was just practicing), and here is what I learned:

1. 3/4-inch is not big enough. Next time, I'm going to start with stock at least 1-1/4 inch square.
2. You can do it all with a pocket knife, I think, but if you have a table saw, jointer with rabbeting ledge, router table, etc., it would be a lot easier to clear out the corners with one of those. Just be sure to take extra precautions cutting such a small piece of wood with a big power tool. I think the next time I try it, I'm going to put the router base on my Dremel tool and clear out the corners that way.
3. A pin vise holding a small drill bit is useful to help the final separation process. I don't know if that's cheating or not.

- Tommy Phillips

[Thomp]

When carving a chain i found it easier to carve larger than smaller to begin wight it allows you to learn all the tricks in a larger size and tells you whether you need to modify tools to make smaller chains,

i think the chain pattern posted somewhere on the forum is for 1 inch links, with all the measurements considered you wind up with a chain longer than 2 feet out of a 1x1x12" its finished material is 1/4"

or try this tutorial from

Carving a Chain and Ball
Introduction

By L.S. Irish

[pallin]

I have used just a pocket knife for the whimseys I have carved. For projects like the caged balls, it helps to pre-drill through the piece where there are openings. This gives you a hole to work from as you carve the internal parts.

[luckylukeski]

thanks everyone for the great tips. i'll look into them as soon as i can.