Too old to start?

I am 91 with a damaged right hand due to my bench saw and I seem to have to spend most of my time sitting down.
I am a retired watchmaker with a small woodworking shop but no wood to work,I have been trying for for several months to produce something that looks like a carving, but now no luck. I have been reading this bulletin board for months and it is the best thing I have found for a shut-in.
I have bought 3 books by Mary Duke Guldan that seem promising in that they focus on glued blocks of 3/4' planks,which I'll have to impose on someone to go shopping for. I really loved that little Beaver character that she used in all of her books.
I live in Little Rock Arkansas Eugene Walden

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Never too old to start! You being a retired watchmaker and a lot of attention to detail, I would think carving would be right up your alley....there are several tutorials out and around for beginning carvers...and as for wood ,Don Wedll has good basswood at very reasonable prices....of course you have to pay the shipping, but that too will pass! ha ha Go for it Papa!

[AlArchie]

I'm no where near 91, Pap, but hope to make it one day! One thing about starting, though..........today you are as young as you will EVER be to start!

Being from Little Rock, I'll bet that if you called one of the local building supplies and explained your situation about not being able to get out easily, they could arrange to have someone stop off some of their scrap cut-offs.....maybe even for free. I know the lumber companies here in Upper Michigan will hold scraps for carvers and let them come and pick through for whatever they can use.....otherwise it just gets sent to the incinerator. Pine and cedar cut-offs make exceptionally good carving material, and there are usually a lot of pieces of carvable size laying around. Or check with a building contractor....you'd be amazed at the stuff they throw away on the building sites. Lots of good carving material there!

Al

Papa,

I wish you the best as you begin your new found hobby, it will bring you many hours of pleasure, creativity, inspiration, joy, etc., let me help your journey with a few thoughts and comments.

Please wear some hand protection, Glove, etc. and have some bandaids in your tool box, no matter how carefull we are, the little 'nic' happens. Keep your tools sharp!

Try starting with a simple project, say 'Xmas ornaments', boot, the beaver you mentioned, etc.

Use the internet to your advantage, many sites available for help, tools, catalogs, etc. all of which can be mailed directly to you from the mfg. I even buy wood off ebay, basswood, cottonwood bark, etc.

Roughouts would also be a great item for you to look into, you get the wood, drawing/pic, and a good portion of the waste wood removed all ready. Do a google serach for carving roughouts, you'll get several mfg., can order online too.

Hope some of the above you'll find helpful....But most important, please post a picture some day on the boards picture trail site of your projects so we can all share in your occomplishments.

[dart]

Like everyone says, never too late to start carving. You may also try some fellows that sell firewood. They may deliver a few good pieces of wood to you. I use maple firewood or any wood I can get. I would also try calling some woodcarvers in your area. I'm sure they would help you get some wood to carve too. Be careful with the power tools as they are always trying to bite you. Hang in there and keep carving on something. It takes awhile to get the hang of anything. Patience and persistance. Jim

[squbrigg]

Good evening Eugene,

Like you , I have found the Internet to be a great source of 'therapy' in recovery. For me it was a brain injury from a car accident, and I have found that most folks on the net are just like those down the street, willing to help out and give you a hand when you need it.

Wood carving is also splendid therapy, most relaxing and helps keep you sharp. As a retired watchmaker, you already have a leg up on the skills you'll need to carve and age doesn't matter a bit. Al, Hi Ho, Dart and Coffeeman have given you some great tips on lumber sources, as well there are lots of stores that sell blanks on the net.

So get your self making chips son, just get carving and practice. I learned a simple exercise to get started....carve an egg! Or if you have trouble with holding it with your damaged hand, carve a relief carving of an egg! You'll work out the ways and means as you chip away.

Enjoy yourself.

Bob

[owlhause]

Also, don't forget about working in clay...although the process is different it is still the satisfaction of working in 3d with less physical stress.

Many carvers work up a design in clay first.

You may even enjoy alternating between the two.

Sorry Pops, the cutoff is 90.

If you can still peel a potato, you can carve.

Hi Eugene, like the rest said, you're never too old to start carving or anything else. I hit 47 yesterday and started carving about 6 months ago. There are alot of good people here to give you ideas and help along the way. One website that really helped get me going was http://www.carvingpatterns.com

There are alot of tutorials, pictures, and free patterns there which helped me alot (still having a problem with eyes - both mine and the carvings )

As for carving wood, I started out with elm, oak, and whatever I could pickup in the yard and the woods out back of the house. Also did a little with pine scraps from out in the shop. I finally broke down and bought some basswood from the internet, after carving hardwood, I learned that my tools were sharp, it was just the wood that made it hard to carve Basswood carves real easy! I also bought a box of cypress knees from ebay. They carve easy like basswood and let you use your imagination to decide when you're going to carve. You just have to sit back and lok at them for a few minutes and pretty soon you 'see' what is inside!