[cats pa]

Originally Posted by JIM QUILICI

I believe that trying to carve without a band saw ...is like....trying to be a cook without a stove or a oven......oh you can go outside and make a fire and do it ...but what a lot of work ....with out a band saw its a lot of work

Jim, you are absolutely right. In fact, if it was your job to come up here and take my bandsaw, you better bring some bandages and some help, and plan to feed them lunch, 'cause they're gonna earn it.

And yet...

In his original post, Rick M. showed us that even without a bandsaw, he's determined to carve anyway. He knows it's gonna be a lot of work, and it doesn't scare him a bit. He's so set on carving that he's tried the knife-whacking and coping saw methods, only slightly easier than gnawing with his teeth, and he's still game. Out of pure admiration for his fortitude, I'd like to help him out if I can.

Seems to me that although he might wish for a bandsaw, it's way off on his economic horizon. Until then, if he can save a little effort by using what tools he does have, he can produce more finished work for us to appreciate. It's too late to start him out on the easy road, but maybe we can kick a few rocks off of the road he's chosen.

In addition, there are some hogging out tasks that another tool can do better than a bandsaw. Hollowing the inside of a spoon bowl, for instance: the band saw blade can't get in there, but on a drill press with the right bit, 30 seconds.

You and I are fortunate to have our bandsaws, but some of our carving buds aren't so lucky. Maybe there's an opportunity for us: Rick could send us his laid out blanks, we cut them, send them back, he's so overcome with gratitude he buys us a beer...

Parker

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

While waiting for a part for my bandsaw, I used a jigsaw with a long blade.

Dave

[cats pa]

Bravo Dave, and exactly my point. We'd like to have the right tool for the job, but lacking it, we're not going to leave the lob undone. That points us to "what do we have, and how can we best use it?"

My old boss used to say, "Any shoe salesman could remodel this house if they gave him all the right tools and lumber. Takes a real craftman to do it with practically nothing." (Then we'd go to the lumberyard and he'd buy a bunch of stuff, go figure.)

Parker