buying stock what size

[invasion1973]

Ok sorry if this is a dumb question but what size stock would be most usefull for me as a beginner? I am going to pace an order for around 20-30 blanks (practice sticks)

Going to be carving figures, woodspirits and wizards etc...also at this point in time I only have access to a scroll saw

Thanks

I havent even got my knives yet although they are on the way

[Claude]

I buy 3 in by 6 in by 12 in blocks from Heinecke, because my bandsaw can only cut a bit more than three inches thick. Most of my carvings are 1.5 x 1.4 in, 2 x 2 in, or 3 x 3 in at the base (various heights), so this works well as I can cut the larger blocks down to small er sizes. Depending on your scroll saw, you probably need a mix of 3/4 inch square, 1 in square, and 1.5 in square. If your saw can cut 2 in square, then some of those also. I doubt you want to to try ripping a 1 in by 12 in by 12 in block into 1 in strips with your scroll saw, so the smaller sticks are best purchased already cut.

Claude

[Eddy-Smiles]

With a scroll saw you're most likely going to want to limit your carvings to no more than 2" thick. Starting off I'd split my order between 1.5" x 1.5" and 2" x 2" by 12" blanks. That will give you the latitude to carve any of a number of different figures...i.e....bears, wizards, woodspirits, little people, etc! In fact, just almost all of the beginner figures covered in Gene's tutorials can be carved with this stock. Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers - Videos

[rcurtism]

I was just going to order a bunch of 2 X 2 X 12 stock along with some 2 X 3 X 12 stuff. I like th 2 X 3 for working on faces and heads. It gives me plenty of oops room. I have a band saw though so cutting it is not a big deal to me but if I was having to do a us a scroll saw sticking with the max size for that saw would be it. I normally do not cut out my blanks to much prefering to whittle down to the rough out stage then carving the details so the only thing I used my band saw for is to cut it to the right length. Maybe because of this I personally I feel the 1.5 X 1.5 is very skinny so it is really good for very small figures ( 3 " and under) with small brimmed hats or for practice sticks. That extra Half inch makes a huge differance. If I had the money I would go with 3 X 3 for full figures but that is to expensive for carving abilities right now. Something else to think about is a grab bag box at woodcraft. They are like 20 bucks a box and you get a ton of wood for the price and there is a quite a few differant sizes so you can pick the size that fits the project. Also not a ton of money held up in wood until you get good enough to utilize it.

[Whittled Thumb]

I think the best size to start with is the 12x1.5x1.5 then you can saw it in half and have great 6" character sticks for practice. Fact their perfect size for most most book instruction or video (see genes tutorials)

But its all depending on what you want to carve. I also like the big chunky little 2x2s to do birds and such. I don't really carve big so those sizes work for me

CARVE ON!

[Doug R]

Welcome, I to am fairly new to carving again! started back after I retired and needed to refresh my skills so purchased 6 each of the 1x1, 1.5x1.5, and 2x2 blocks from Heinecke wood products and they are perfect for honing your skills. You will find an unlimited amount of projects you can do in these sizes so grab some wood and have at it. Look forward to seeing your finished carvings soon.

[invasion1973]

Thanks for all the help really appreciated.

Think I will go for 1.5 x1.5 x 12 and some 2 x 2 x 12
you guys may of seen my other post about Basswood in the uk? I was able to find somone to send it to me -itasca- but the shipping cost is expensive. To the UK the stock came to $64 then it was another $100 to ship

I may have to stick to Lime as I can get that in the UK from here S.L. Hardwoods Ltd

Thanks again
Adam

[Eddy-Smiles]

Sorry Adam... From your original post it wasn't clear that you were on the other side of the pond! Lime works...same genus!

[invasion1973]

Originally Posted by Eddy-Smiles

Sorry Adam... From your original post it wasn't clear that you were on the other side of the pond! Lime works...same genus!

Hey no problem
Shame I cant get basswood in the UK..but if lime the next best thing then I hould be ok.
A friend is going to cut on his Bandsaw for me into the sizes you suggested

[Eddy-Smiles]

Adam... Obviously very few of us on this side of the Atlantic have had the pleasure of carving Lime so my suggestion would be to start out easy with just a few pieces and see if you like it. You can always buy more but it would be a shame to get stuck with stock that you can't use.