School

[Doug Ridley]

Okay, here's the deal. It looks like there is going to be an art school started in one of two old buildings. Some of us are going to try and convince the powers that be to include a woodcarving classroom that will accomodate carving classes and instructors from all over. If you were setting it up what would you include in the way of tools and equipment? Some money will probably be available but funds are not unlimited. Opinions please.

[AlArchie]

Doug, if you are going to incorporate any power carving, see if you can get some air filtration system. A simple ceiling mount circulating filter will work wonders on a budget. I'd also suggest a dust collection system. Grizzly and Jet make several models for reasonable prices. These can be combined with a cyclone top for a standard steel trash can and used for shop cleanup, too; like a super size shop vac.

Lighting is another investment you may want to make. A combination of incandescent and wide spectrum flourescents would be a good choice.

Shop workbenches would be a big help......the kind used in school wood shops. Large 6 foot square or larger with at least one bench vice per unit.

FIRST AID KIT! The industrial kind.

Sharpening system. Tormek, Burke or the like.

those would be my basic suggestions.

Al

[Doug Ridley]

Good suggestions. Much along what I was thinking. Keep the ideas coming, even though I'm not sure this will be a go, but we need to get our ducks in a row in order to sell the project.

[AlArchie]

Oh, and a couple good bandsaws for cutting blanks. If you plan of instructing in finishing, too, maybe figure on a separate room for finishing. something away from the dust and wood chips.

[BobD]

An air compressor...for finishing, or to blow away those pesky chips, and possible for an airbrush

A variety of clamping methods/carving arms/carving screws

A chalkboard or dry erase board for sketching ideas on

Corkboard on the walls to hang references

Downdraft table for power carving...

Nice library of Fox Chapel Publishing books, including a complete set of Wood Carving Illustrated <GRIN>

Bob

[Ashbys]

I will suggest the simplest start requirements since this is a new class and just starting you must assume everyone is new at carving and never picked up a knife before.

1) pencils

2) Simple patterns

3) Transfer paper (carbon , newspaper , plain paper used for pencil tracing )

4) A basic set of safety guidelines

5) roughing knives

6) detail knives

7) Beginner sets of chisels ( should be included in the cost of the class) but should have at least 4 extra sets

8) one wood burner

9) I would use roughouts all ready made to start with. Asking for the purchase of a bandsaw without knowing how the class will do , could eaisly nix the program. ( included in the class cost)

10) set up the program to do one type of carving to start with . Either relief or in the round. and I would not mix the classes. So if another class is required that would be more incentive to add the bandsaw, and other wood working equipment .

11) I would start with light relief carving. It gives the great advantage to use chisels , which are assosicated with first time carvers. If your thinking of power carving then make it a seperate class and consider the cost involved and the normal reaction of people. Remember JOE public does not associate hand made with electric motors. So if your advertising for students, make sure of the type of students your looking for so the class is attunded to the students and not the teachers.

12) it will be much eaiser to get the class if your looking at a low cost , then to be looking at power carving which the student can eaisly go $450.00 in debt just for the grinder. Where 50.00 will get them started with a good set of beginner tools.

Ash

[Tom-H]

Don't forget some sort of display unit. One that would open to classroom and to a hall way....Tom H

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Good looking Instructresses.

[Doug Ridley]

If we do get it going maybe we can have you down to teach, Lynn, and you can bring your own instructresses. And I like the way you think.

[xsailer]

Lynn,
I would like to see a carving of what you think a good "Good looking Instructresses" would look like. It'd probably only take you a couple of hours. Blonde, Brunett, Red, Gray hair? Muscular carving hands? Pleasing attitude as our lady members surely are.