Good deals on carving supplies

[Don by the lake]

I thought I would start this thread after talking with HiHo about a purchase I made for carving gloves. I bought two carving gloves from McMaster Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/ which is an industrial supply company. I found the gloves under cut resistant gloves and found the price of $15.35 each to be pretty good compared to the $19.99 that they usually get for them from carving outlets. I paid $1.50 for shipping and no sales tax. HiHo said he found some gloves for $8.95 from http://www.warrencutlery.com/indexb.htm
I was thinking that with all of us carvers meeting at this forum that maybe we should share information on where we can get good deals on the tools and materials we use in our hobby or in some cases, living. We could also advise people to stay away from the junk some people sell on Ebay. It's not all bad but there is a lot of "junk" for sale. My sister got interested in carving after visiting me a couple years ago an decided to buy some carving tools on ebay. When I next saw her after her purchase she was showing off the tools she bought and asked me what I thought. I told her I didn't want to hurt her feelings. but I would throw away what she bought. Those tools were not worth the postage she paid to get them. I ordered a decent set of gouges from the Woodcrafts catalog and had them sent to her.
I hope others will get in on this thread and we can all start saving some money. I still work but I am sure there are many carvers out there that are on a fixed income that can't afford to throw their money away and need to save a dollar where ever they can! Good carving!
Don

[Just Carving]

Don

I'm sorry you got "bit" by McMaster Carr--they're not too far from me here in New Jersey. I've used them in the past for work purchases. I use the industrial supply catalogs, trade magazines, or mfr. pamphlet/catalogs to glean info on a product. Most times I will use a search engine on the Internet on that information to see if I can get a better deal, closer to home (to save on shipping) and to cut down on the shipping time, and to make sure I'm not getting ripped off. Most times I do. But I will use the industrial supply outlets if I need something in a hurry, or if I just can't get it anywhere else for a better price. But as with anything, sometimes you get what you pay for, so if you know a reputable vendor, then stick with them.

[kaiserb]

Here is the big secret on carving gloves:

They are really just yellow kevlar industrial gloves available at most industrial safety supplies. In your local area you might try looking up a metal fabrication supplier, Airgas, tool rental store, or other safety supply. If you are looking for safety supply houses they are generally listed under "Industrial Hygene" in the yellow pages.

Here is one on Ebay for around $6 plus 2.50 shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/KEVLAR-CARVING-G...QQcmdZViewItem


Here is 12 pair for around $45 plus shipping:

http://www.magidglove.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=1399

[Don by the lake]

Bob,

I really didn't feel like I got bit by McMaster Carr. The gloves I got were basically the same as the previous ones I had purchased from Woodcrafts for $19.99. And the service was the best I ever got. Order placed one evening and delivered next day. Can't beat that! I was just trying to point out that there are always better deals available. I do searches on the internet a lot, but the glove HiHo bought never came up. We as carvers need to compare notes so we can get the most for our money. My sister was the one who really got taken by buying that junk on Ebay. I got stung a couple months ago on Ebay when I bought what I thought was a Foredom grinder. The sellers ad had the word Foredom in their description. It turned out to be a Foredom grinding bit and a cheap China imatation Foredom style grinder. I was lucky that I was able to return it for a refund, but it still cost me shipping. Live and learn!
Don
Don

[Don by the lake]

Thanks KaiserB

This is what I was talking about " comparing notes".
Don

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I prefer gloves with the stainless steel wire in them, my wife bought one of the kevlar gloves and I don't trust it, she has gotten cut thru it! and besides hers was in the 6 to 7 dollar range if I remember right, but much prefer to put a couple dollars with it and get the excalibur from warrencuttlery.....all in my personal opinion of course.

[Kenny_S]

The kevlar goves usually protects you from slicing yourself with a carving glove. However, the older they get the less protection, Plus they don't protect your hands from gouges and "v" tools. They go through the mesh. I haven't tried the metal wire wovens one yet.

Compare prices littleshavers has two different kinds of these gloves for around 7 bucks and around 20 bucks.

I agree, the industrial supply houses and machine chops usually have these type of gloves. What sold me first on the Kevlar gloves was watch glass handlers handle plate glass wearing the kevlar gloves and they also said they uses theirs several times and then throw them away. I asked them to save several pairs as i will use them in for some Scouts when the take the Carving Merit Badge.
Personally, I use the glove a lot. Some have the rubber dots in the plam for added holding power and have found them useful in the knife hand also.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

the excalibur has a white rubber coating and it too aids in grip.

[kaiserb]

Originally Posted by Kenny_S

The kevlar goves usually protects you from slicing yourself with a carving glove. However, the older they get the less protection, Plus they don't protect your hands from gouges and "v" tools. They go through the mesh. I haven't tried the metal wire wovens one yet.

Kevlar gloves come in about 5 different weaves. If you get the extra fine weave gloves you will only get poke injuries not cuts.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Keep your fingers where they belong and you won't need a glove.

Smile