Beginner needs advice on letter carving

[bethesda]

I am new to woodcarving and need advice. I need to carve letters (about two inches tall) in wood plaques. I need advice on what exact tools to buy, I'm under the impression from my reading so far that I just need a few good tools to carve letters. I would prefer a few good expensive tools than a lot of low-quality ones. I am looking at this page and would like advice on which of these to buy from Pfiel:

Carving Tools, Wood Carving Tools, Woodcarving Tools & Hand Carving Tools at Woodcraft.com

Also I would like to know a suitable type of wood that is easy to carve but has long-term durability. These plaques will be about 3 feet wide by 5" tall and will be inside but exposed to a variety of temperatures from below freezing to the 80's in a building that is not insulated but in a relatively dry northern climate. The wood will be stained after carving.

Thanks!

[squbrigg]

Letter carving is great because you don't need a big selection of tools to make do.

I'll suggest a selection to begin with, for 2" letters: Pfiel tools:

#1e x 12mm ... straight chisel , single bevel
#1s x 12 mm ... skew chisel. double bevel
#1F x 12 mm ... fishtail gouge
#3F x 12 mm (or 14 mm) .....fishtail gouge
#5F x 12 mm ( or 14 mm) ... fishtail gouge
#7F x 10 mm (or 14 mm) ... fishtail gouge

A good knife will be useful as well, a Murphy's knife of a Pfiel #1 knife

With this collection you can accomplish most lettering tasks, easy enough. A couple of extra pieces, when you get use to the basic set, are :

#2 al x 12 mm (or 8 mm) bent skew gouges
#2ar x 12 mm (or 8 mm) bent skew gouges

These are all in the Pfiel catalogue and any Pfiel retailer should be able to get them in for you if not in stock. You will expand your collection as you expand your lettering, smaller size letters sometimes call for smaller tools, but not always. Start with these and go from there. I'm sure others may have other recommendations, but these are what I use the most when I'm lettering.

Good luck,

Bob

[Dan S]

This guy has better prices on the Pfeil gouges thatn woodcraft. He's a nice guy to deal with. I've bought a number of tools from him.

http://www.woodcarvingbiz.com/ (Rick Weib)

Take care,
Dan

[mdallensr]

Chris Pye has a good book on letter carving, and on his website, he suggests the following tools:
Chris Pye - Woodcarving Toolshop

Chris will be teaching letter carving later this summer at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine. Mike

[johncarves]

I cut any letter up to 2" with a chip carving knife. You have to have strong hands and wrists (must be why I am suffering with carpal tunnel problems). Basswood is the best choice of wood for interior signs & suitibility for carving. Mahogany is best for exterior use. A chip carving class with Wayne Barton would do you good.