[Dan S]

I used to think that powercarving was cheating. Than I read an article where the author pointed out that if Michael Angelo could have used power tools you can bet he would have. The Author also stated that he would use dinomite if it would remove wood faster. Buy what works and have fun.
If you can still carve while fighting multiple sclerosis you are doing a dang site better than most of us!

Take care,
Dan

[gene messer]

Hi Chris .. Thank you for being brave and revealing something about yourself ..

Chris .. If you use power .. just be sure and use some sort of vacuum system for the dust .. you dont need to be breathing any ..

Also .. not to dispute your uncle .. but if using a roughout is cheating .. Then anyone that has taken a Bishop class or most any instructors class is a cheater then ... Because most all classes deal with roughouts .. So I dont know what he is taking about ... Alot of people dont or cant afford bandsaws or live in apartments where they cant use bandsaws and roughouts are idea for them ... Sorry .. I cant buy it's cheating ...

Second of all .. the finished product is the determination for the carving .. not the roughing out ... In your case .. I say whatever is simple enough for you .. Use it .. Is using a chainsaw cheating .. of course not .. It;s power isnt it .. so just disreguard that using roughouts is cheating ..

Do whatever helps you Chris .. and stay in touch with this board and these great carvers will help you anyway we can ..

God Bless

Gene

[squbrigg]

I have strength and endurance problems as well, from an accident, and I had to modify my carving methods too. What works for me ...... hog out using power (Foredom) and detail using edged tools and some power (micro motor Foredom). No such thing as cheating, all that counts is that you are getting to continue to carve.

Dremel works too, but most important are the right burrs ....Typhoons and Kutzells for removing rough and diamond or ruby for fine stuff.

Bob

[DICK "chipncut" CAIN]

Don't be ashamed of using rough outs.

Especially if you're handicapped.

The main thing is the fun of seeing the finished product.

[carverken]

More power to you. And God Bless you for trying. I give you a word of caution in addition to the dust collection aspect. Power and reciprical carvers can give you a big bite and sometimes take your clothes, gloves, table tops, etc. DAMHIKT. Save your hospital deductable for your MS not accidents. On another note. One of the carvers in my local club just passed away. He was 99. He carved until about 5 years ago then he switched to sanding and filing. he did beautiful work.
Carve and fight on! We will pray.

[dart]

Welcome to the forum, Chris. I know what MS is. My Uncle had it. But on to woodcarving. I have the Dremel tool with the bits and shaft. Works ok. I have the motor with the Jacobs chuck on it. Called a "dental lathe" but can be used for anything even metal shaping. I have a regular sweeper I use for dust collecting. It gets the dust but not the chips. I don't breathe chips, so it all works great for me. I have not seen anyone call using a machine to carve with as "cheating". I would say anyway you get the job done is the best way for you and not called cheating. I know the son of a fellow that did carvings that had Parkinson's and he used both types of tools, both mallet and chisels and power tools. Main thing is would be to keep on carving and enjoying it. My eyesight is poor so I need a large magnifying lamp to do any of my carving. I had to get a 37 inch monitor to keep going on the internet. But I don't think any of that would be anything but helpful. We all do what we have to do to keep on carving.

[CK Ole Tyme Wood Carver]

Hi Everybody, This is Chris. I just want you all to know how much I appreciate the comments and ideas. It's also nice to be able to talk to others with the same type of interest.Most of my friends were people that I worked with and when I was no longer able to work I guess it became somewhat isolating. Anyway I can't wait to try some of your ideas about roughing out my appreciate and I am going to keep doing as well cause just like some have said the finale cuts that make a gnarly piece of wood into something nice to look at are the real carving cuts any way. Well Thanks Again! I look forward to talking to all of you again soon!

[brushpilecarvings]

Rotary rasp bits for a dremel tool also help in roughing out. I have a form of cerebral palsy called hemiplegia ( Hemiplegia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ) that affects my left side, so I usually rough out with a rotary tool. We are only limited by what our mind tells us.