How would one go about this project? (wooden copy)

[chickenwok]

Hello! I’m starting this thread because I have a project in mind that I would like to work on in the future, but I’m not quite sure how to go about it or what it would take to actually finish it. Keep in mind that I’m currently a beginner with almost no experience at all when it comes to wood carving.

What I want to do is this:

I want to take a plastic figure (think action figure, movie-themed collectible) that I have here at home and make a wooden copy of it, retaining as much detail as possible while still giving it my own unique touch. How would you experienced wood carvers go about doing this, step-by-step? What tools would you use? I realize I may have to learn a hell of a lot before being able to do this, so if it helps, think of it as a hypothetical question.

Lastly, I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this topic, if it isn’t, mod please excuse me and move it to the right place.

Thanks in advance.

[mpounders]

Well, you at least have something to measure and use as a go-by! You might consider making it larger than your plastic figure, as it might be difficult to get the same details carved in small wood. You can correct mistakes easier with larger figures, I guess is what Iam trying to say. When you decide on the size you can make your pattern. I usually enlarge photos and glue them to my wooden block. I cut outside the lines of the pattern with a bandsaw to leave plenty of wood for carving. It can be easier in many ways to make arms, legs, hands, and heads as separate pieces that are glued together. This can allow you more flexibility in positioning these features and add some strength by having the grain of the wood positioned differently. You can use calipers to transfer measurements, either same size or enlarged, in order to get features positioned the same as the original. You might learn a lot of these processes by looking at Lynn Doughty's videos. He's a pretty smart fellow, and talented too! Out West Woodcarving Videos on Vimeo

[chickenwok]

Thanks for the reply!

Maybe it's because I'm tired or maybe I'm just stupid, but I don't really get how I'm supposed to get the right "depth" or thickness when carving the figure. Could you elaborate?

[mpounders]

Well, there are various ways to measure it, along with just estimating it by eye. Calipers are used to measue the thickness of round pieces and the distance between two pieces. They also make contour gages for duplicating profiles, and you could just use a ruler? You should probably just try carving a bit first, before just jumping with both feet into a project that might discourage you, as a beginner, but would not be too difficult with a little experience. Look at the videos!