How much do you use grinders to carve with?

[Donsexton]

I consider myself a traditional mallet and gouge wood sculptor. I am in a place now without my vast assortment of fine tools all I have is my knife. The first grinder I used for carving was a Milwaukee side grinder with an auto body sanding disc on it just to remove tool marks. I must be honest now days I use a Makita side grinder with two chainsaw discs for most of what I do. I use a Proxxon mini side grinder with a small chainsaw disc for smaller wood. I use just about every type of carbide donut wheel made for a side grinder. I don’t know how I ever got along without my die grinders seems like they have taken the place of my beloved Henry Taylor gouges. I think when I get back home to my shop I will rediscover my mallet and gouges. Use them for something other than facial features.

[Kaledrub]

Funny tho, I was going to post something similar a few days ago.

Why is it that power tools leave us with this "cheating" feelings is something I'd like to know.

[Thomp]

using power tools make me feel like i bought a cheap Chinese carving from peer 1, and skim carved it so it was to my liking..

but then again, waste wood is waste wood, really' whats the difference how you get rid of waste?
where it be a saw, axe, sharp stone or carving knife?
you made the waste get removed,,,

its a wonder some one hasn't started a thread about us girlymen only carving soft woods like balsa, basswood, linden and such, other than carving in ironwood, cherry and oak....

[carver33]

I've read comments by some who claim that wood carving is the use of gouges and mallet - the use of a knife is whittling. This was before the common use of power tools - they probably would consider this sacrilege.

I use all tools available including files and sandpaper, as do many others on these forums. I think it's the end product and the artistic expression that goes into it that makes a carving a piece of art - not what tools you use to achieve that goal. I've never felt that I was cheating no matter what tools I used to achieve my goals.

[Spooker]

I just started my first carving yesterday afternoon. I found my self in a pinch because I didn't follow a couple of Gene and Arleen's suggestions. So to the Rotary saw I go. It never crossed my mind I may be cheating. But the thought did cross my mind: "you idiot, if you'd taking the advice you'd still be sitting down carving"

I guess if this is supposed to be a hobby or craft for enjoyment, there is no cheating.

Spooker

[Donsexton]

In my own mind I dont think I am cheating but when ask so you do all this with a chainsaw and grinders I am quick to say no I am a traditional carver. Honestly I am not, but I want to go back to that feels to me like I have lost somthing. I am having more fun now with just a knife than I have in years with all my gadgets. I love art for art and if it is woodcarving even better. I am not disregarding any artist means or methods. Just for me I want that feeling back of just mallet and gouges. Then I can say honestly I am a traditional woodcarver.

[Kelley]

I use anything that will take the wood off to make a carving. I could make a carving with a dull butter knife, if that was all I had. I do understand the warm and fuzzy feeling that a really sharp gouge and a well balanced mallet or the sound of a freshly stropped knife slicing through a nice piece of wood gives. To anyone who thinks it is cheating to use power tools, or dynamite for that matter, I say the carving is what matters. So use what you like and enjoy this wonderful art.

[davidinsarasota]

I use a cheap angle grinder with a King Arthurs Tools 'Lancelot' chain ring for removing bulk waste, but am always glad when I can go to the gouges.

[lorax]

I was a purest for years. But I started thinking like Thomp a while back. One thing that I like about using power, is that you can remove wood without putting as much pressure on it.

[Kaledrub]

Originally Posted by davidinsarasota

I use a cheap angle grinder with a King Arthurs Tools 'Lancelot' chain ring for removing bulk waste, but am always glad when I can go to the gouges.

You're not the only one then.