Power Carving Your Rough Out

[agaboric]

I was just wondering if anyone out there power carves their roughouts and then finishes them up with hand carving? I bought a book today at the Dayton carving show, which was awsome as always. But I have been carving now for going on three years and the book I boght was Carving Mountain Men by Cleves Taylor(he does this). I was wondeering what are the pros and cons of power carving your rough out. I just wanted to see what others had to say about this idea. Thanks.

[oregoncarver]

I power all my rough outs. I start by cutting the blanks on band saw and then power carver as much as possible, it not only speeds things up but saves my arm and hand muscles.
Arthur

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I have in the past, but I usually don't use power tools for carving.

Dave

[hwallen48]

Originally Posted by agaboric

I was just wondering if anyone out there power carves their roughouts and then finishes them up with hand carving? I bought a book today at the Dayton carving show, which was awsome as always. But I have been carving now for going on three years and the book I boght was Carving Mountain Men by Cleves Taylor(he does this). I was wondeering what are the pros and cons of power carving your rough out. I just wanted to see what others had to say about this idea. Thanks.

Its what ever floats your boat!

[gtech]

As I already mentioned in another post, I like to use hand tools but it doesn't mean I don't like to work fast.

I use a cheap bandsaw to cut my blanks, but I don't make them rough outs. But it's because I carve to relax, for a hobby. If I ever decide to make more than one of an item to sell them, I will use power tools...

[Curtscarving]

It depends on amount of wood to be removed,I have maybe 50-50 on my cutouts after the bandsaw.

Curt

[Mark N. Akers]

Andy:
I spoke to a well known carver about his feelings on this subject,his comment and I quote"I'd use Dynamite if it works to remove wood" so I'd say what ever it takes to get the finished product you want.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I don't see much art in hogging off the excess wood so I say get it off in the fastest and easiest way for you. I use power to get down to where I want to start carving, anywhere that is difficult for hand tools and wherever a power tool (smoothing, etc.) will do a better job.

[Mitchell]

In the past I would do this occasionally. However, I found that I could move wood faster with hand tools than with rotary power. I switched from a rotary to reciprocating and picked up a little speed. However - carving is a hobby for me also and I just like working with hand tools better.

Using power does take extra stress off your hands and causes less fatigue.

[chuckbolton]

power vs hand tools is one topic that there will never be agreement on this board. do what works for you, you are the only one you really have to please. ive used power when its the most convienent.