Roughouts

[dick]

Never having the ability to operate a bandsaw and having moved where I can't get someone to cut blanks for me I switched to roughouts.
In many ways I find the More difficult to do than 2 dimensional cut outs and for some reason the wood they come in splinters and frazzles more than wood I used for profile blanks? The grain seems to change way more times and detail seems harder to achieve. HELP

[doris]

hi dick, dont despair... you dont need a bandsaw... just choose a topic you want carve, make a drawing, or use someones pattern when you feel more like that, get a block of wood, draw the pattern on it, and then start carving the wood away first with your handtools. just cut away first what a bandsaw would cut away. you might think how tedious...but really, this way you can learn to handle your tools properly, and all mistakes get cutaway anyway... i still dont have a bandsaw, and am happily carving :-)

[Ron T]

Hi Dick, I agree w/ Doris. You don't need a bandsaw. I used to carve from a block and used hardwoods. Of course it took me a lot longer but I got to use the wood I wanted.

[markken5889]

I don't have a bandsaw, and while at times I regret this and get impatient waiting to get to the "real carving", there is alot to be said for the simplicity of hand-sawing out a piece (I use Japanese pull-saws or coping saw) so it's "all natural".

Mark

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I'm a little bit different than the previous folks. I have a band saw. Don't use it for cut outs, but have it. I just start with a block and whittle away. I enjoy it.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Dick, I think if you really take and set aside some time just to sharpen your tools nice and sharp, I think your splintering and Fuzzies might lessen. I always thought that my tools were sharp till I Buffed them and found they were not as sharp as I thought. Big difference. Just a thought. Merle

[dick]

I honestly think my tools are quite sharp it almost seems like the wood on roughouts is somehow different

[dick]

I appreciate all the suggestions and appreciate them believe me

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Dick, what about a jigsaw? When my bandsaw broke I ordered a part that took forever to come in, I used a jigsaw with a long blade. It worked out pretty good, I just went slow.


Dave

[dick]

It woulod seem to me that aq jigsaw would be hard to use on wood 3-4 inches thick?