[MelNM]

I was curious to know what tools everyone use rough out their carvings?

[Nancy_G]

Of course I cut my pattern, front and side, with my band saw, then set saw at 45 degrees and slice off all 4 corners. Usually I then go directly to 3/4' or 1' hand chisel and start roughing.
If there are large areas of wood that I couldn't remove with the band saw I might use my Ryobi or Auto Mach recriprocating power chisel. But I'm most comfortable and happiest with the plain old hand tools.

I rough out the same as Nancy, but after the band saw, its time for the foredom, and if its a big project, I'll use the mini grinder with a roughing out attachment. It's difficult shifting from roughing out to carving detail. It is such a change of pace, that its necessary for me to really concentrate and make myself slow down. A couple of people in my carving class tell me that their favourite part of carving is roughing out. Not having to concentrate on finer detail perhaps.

I have a 40+ year collection of wood cutting tools. The one used most is to contain the Tasmanian devil while roughing out. Ron A.

[Captain_Bandaid]

A good band saw would be great but all I have is my 13' Craftsman POS. Anyway, I do what I can with the bandsaw and depending on the piece, use a pfeil rough out knife or a Micro-plane wood rasp. I don't have a power rotary tool, and wouldn't use it indoors anyway. If I am carving a walking stick, I ususally use a drawknife (my homemade drawknife is my favorite) and finsh up with a spokeshave and sanding. Then I can get to carving.

[Colin_Partridge]

probably because I do such large carvings I use a chainsaw mostly to rough out my carvings. It takes the most wood away fastest and that is what I am looking for. I am always impaintent to see the carving take shape so the faster I can get to where I use the mallet and chisel the better I like it. I do from time to time use a grinder and mini grinder to get to the place I cant get with a chainsaw. I see there is a new machine out by King Arthur Tools that hogs wood off really fast I am thinking of purchasing one in the near future.
Colin

[Donna_T]

Once I get my wood cut out to shape, I usually take a 3/4 or 1 inch #3 tool to the wood. I can move lots of wood fairly quickly. Every brand of tool has that size. So find a really good one--you'll use it a lot.
Donna T

I use a 3' roughing knife that I ground from a commercial boning knife. The large stainless steel blade quickly removes wood and is flexible enough to allow me to remove larger slices without snapping.

Some stuff I bandsaw, some I don't. Other than that, it's all hand tools. Depending on what I'm making, anything from a hatchet to a 1' detail knife.

I do the same as Nancy; Bandsaw, cut off corners if necessary, drill hole in bottom, install a bench screw,attach to a carving arm, use chisels to rough out, remove and then enjoy the wonders of knife carving.Big Al