Have you invested a lot in tools?

woodtrapper · #1 02-07-2007, 07:34 PM

I have noticed through pics. that some members probably have a lot of $ invested in carving tools.Afew years ago I took up golf, started with a beater set then bought some Taylor Mades.My game did improve with the new set and with practice I got better.Since I took up carving two years ago I think I need to apply the same principal.I have some good carving tools but I think a $500 dollar bill would help me improve.I failed to mention that I did receive a weeks worth of golf lessons.My clubs now gather dust because of my carving interest.I guess I am in a carving slump and wondering what to do.

Scott Hagerty · #2 02-07-2007, 08:06 PM

I started carving almost 3 years ago and began with not quite $100 worth of tools. As I have grown and became a better carver I have added more tools a few at a time. What I have discovered is that I seem to use the same tools a lot and others not so much. I estimate I have around $300 worth of tools now and can't seem to find a need for more at this time. However, I might add, all of my tools currently are palm tools. Last weekend I used a friends mallet tools to do a carving and found out how much faster you can work with the larger tools. I'll be doing a post on that carving in the near future. To get over the slump just start something new and keep plowing ahead.

Good luck
Scott

kcwaterguy · #3 02-07-2007, 08:15 PM

I have maybe $100 in hand tools... but just got $200 worth of power tools - table saw and band saw. I have only begun... but on limited budget so it will be a slow process.

Sean

Kenny_S · #4 02-07-2007, 08:55 PM

Personally, Not enough.
Or
I don't want to know

mark yundt · #5 02-07-2007, 09:12 PM

interesting observation Scott,,

peach5550 · #6 02-07-2007, 10:05 PM

Mark,
I looked at your work on your website and enjoyed the pieces very much.
Congrats to all of your success.
Petra

Bob_in_TN · #7 02-07-2007, 10:48 PM

My wife thinks I have invested $21,235.99 in tools, but it's much, much less! There's no hurry, sometimes a project will require (?) a new tool, sometimes an instructor will have a "suggested tool list". Buy 1 at a time, much less pain.

wade clark · #8 02-07-2007, 10:53 PM

Truth is, I collect tools AND love woodcarving! I have $1000 make that $1500.00 worth of metal working tools, including a forge, an anvil, a great collection of hand forged tongues. A welder and all that goes with it.
I have more than ... woodcarving tools. 100 to 150 Ashley Iles tools, they're still packed from our move. The best Arkansas stones I could buy. Then the Tormek sharpening system. I also have the Koch, for the last 18 months, not even set up, in a box. If I'd known about sandpaper I probably wouldn't have any of the others, but I love the Tormek! Foredom with Kutzall bits. Maybe 100 dremel type bits. Lots of long drill bits but not enough. Table saw I love, bandsaw I'm ready to replace, planer, router, 5 or 6 adzes, a complete set of 65+ year old German gouges (about 35), lots of Flexcut including a carvin' Jack, great dust hood, dust collector, tool boxes, saws and drills etc., carving bench with vices, 2 drafting tables, a new barn to put it all in (hope to unpack one of these days but planting a 240 plant vineyard right now and all that goes with that), great selection of carving wood...become obsessed with anything and you'll accumulate a great collection! My wife believes that all these tools are directly related to what I'm going to do some day, and I've done just enough to make her believe it, so she doesn't mind a bit.
I discovered the 10 secrets to success (#1 Work hard, #2 Work Hard, #3 Work Hard, #4 Work Hard, #5 Work Hard, #6 Work Hard, #7 Work Hard, #8 Work Hard, #9 Work Hard, and #10 Keep Working Hard) and spent all my discretionary income (something that happens after the Kids leave home and before your health fails) on tools. My truck and tractor are tools too.
I've never been bored, I've always been busy. Til I drop. If I could live without sleep I'd do it, it's highly over-rated.
It's all a trade-off. Choose your priorities. There are only a couple things better than tools, one of which is Family.
You're supposed to enjoy the journey, not just the end of the trail. To me, Tools are the journey...at least a major part of it!
Wade

Thor · #9 02-07-2007, 11:08 PM

I am a confessed tool freak.
I have a nice set of pheil mallet tools, and about 3 more that I would like to add that are simply bigger.
My tools are mine, they are all mine. They will be mine forever...
They have been a very good investment.

Thor
p.s. I still want a chainsaw and a bowl adz. ...and a few more clamps....that's all

mark yundt · #10 02-07-2007, 11:37 PM

Thank you Peach,,As far as tools go,,,I've got a few,,but it's amazing what you can do with relatively little.There are always some new gadgets hitting the shelves,,most are pure nonsense,,but some,,ahhh,, you just 'gotta have 'em