Roughouts vs. patterns

[mik1947]

I've noticed from their posts that quite a few folks use roughouts instead of cutting from patterns. I assume that speed is one advantage and that limited capability of cutting tools (bandsaws, etc.) could be another. Are there any other advantages to using roughouts?

[Mitchell]

The largest advantage (IMO) is time - as you have noted. The rough out makes it convenient as the heavy stuff is already taken care of.

Another advantage, is that with the roughout, you get good wood...and can generally see if any imperfections exist.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I think the main advantage of a roughout over band sawing a blank from a pattern is speed and convenience. It is correct that you can judge the piece of wood better in a roughout; but then, if you are band sawing your own blank, you are paying a lot for the privilege of seeing the wood in a roughout.

I have been using a lot of roughouts recently; but, they are coming with just the basic shape of the bird. I can carve off wings and use inserts, and they do not come with legs so this allows a lot of flexibility. This is good for me because I am concentrating on placing my carvings into settings rather than what I call "bird book poses".

I also bought a bunch of roughouts that were going cheap because they had major flaws in the wood. I determined they were good for practice and that I could overcome the flaws using my power tools.

Basically, I believe that roughouts or patterns are good for practice and education. It is still best to design your own pieces and band saw or use other power tools to get down to the real carving. You could also take a pattern and change the head position, or change the limb (arm, wing, etc.) position, the main thing is to stretch your ability.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't think it matters.....actually I have only carved from one routered roughout and it was a gift, the rest are bandsawed from either my idea/design or from a book.........but the end result is............you have to carve it into whatever it turns into ha ha, so no matter what, you still have to be a carver.....!

[Goody]

I carve from roughouts for speed. Since America is not going to be able to take care of its baby boomers and we have worked hard all our lives to find out there is not going to be much there for us at retirement age and I have lost part of the retirements that I was counting on when the company i worked for sold out and the new company closed the plant I decided to invest in myself. My hobby will have to support me in a few years. I built a duplicator a few years ago. It allows me to do carvings that would be too expensive in todays market at a pace and a quality that people wiil buy. I dont duplicate for others. Some carvers in the area run my duplcator for me. I have one guy that cuts me a run of santas in return for cutting a set of decoy bodies for himself. I develop all my own patterns for my duplicator. You would be surprised how many different santas can come from the same roughout(check the christmas in july thread in the holiday forum). Hi Ho has sent me one of his patterns and I am working it up to work in the duplicator for this years Cristmas in july. For me it has become survival.
Goody

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

And I come from the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Strictly carve for the relaxation and pleasure of it. Don't use rough outs and very seldom use a cut out. Usually just start with a piece of wood and go from there. Most time I only have a very rough idea of what I am going to be making, and even then usually change my mind several times before I'm done. Right now my pursuit is completing carvings with only a pocket knife. This from a guy with boxes and boxes of tools, well over 200 at last count.

[mik1947]

Thanks to everyone! Hope I didn't hit a nerve with this question! That certainly wasn't my intent - I was just curious about why some folks used roughouts and others did not. Personally, I'm having a little tendonitis problem with my holding hand and I'm wondering if having less material to remove will provide a little relief.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Go to roughouts or bandsawn....why irritate your wrists with the removal of extraneous wood that has nothing to do with the finished carving? imho

[jamesfa]

I run the range from a plain block of wood and using cut-outs.I have carved one rough-out.
but for me the time saving of using a rough-out is out wayed by the cost.

mik1947 fot your tendonitis have you considered clamping your work in a vise or using a carvers hook.

Frank

[Goody]

Originally Posted by mik1947

Thanks to everyone! Hope I didn't hit a nerve with this question! That certainly wasn't my intent - I was just curious about why some folks used roughouts and others did not. Personally, I'm having a little tendonitis problem with my holding hand and I'm wondering if having less material to remove will provide a little relief.

Mik1947, New here huh? Don't worry about hitting nerves here. This is great forum and thru the diversity and spectrum of carvers here you will learn a lot. We all respect each others abilities backgrounds and knowledge. Ask questions its the best way to learn.
Goody