tool sets?

[lookingforyou]

hello all, new here ,and have read many times over and over advice against sets, well not sure if i am part of that club, limited budget seems to point to sets.qeustion is what do you think of these sets eBay item 8192057978 (Ends May-19-05 20:43:02 PDT) - PFEIL SWISS MADE 18 PC. "D" CARVING TOOL SET W MALLET

D1/8 8mm Chisel.

D1S/8 8mm Skew
D2/12 #2 12mm Gouge
D5/3 #5 3mm Gouge
D5/8 #5 8mm Gouge
D5/12 #5 12mm Gouge
D7/4 #7 4mm Gouge
D7L/10 #7 10mm Long Bent Gouge
D7/14 #7 14mm Gouge
D8/7 #8 7mm Gouge
D8A/7 #8 7mm Spoon Gouge
D8/10 #8 10mm Gouge
D9/5 #9 5mm Gouge
D9/10 10mm Gouge
D11/1 #11 1mm Veiner
D11/3 #11 3mm Veiner
D12/2 #12 2mm V-parting Tool
D12/8 #12 8mm V-Parting Tool
Tool Roll
12 oz. Urethane Coated Mallet
this for 300
this is 300 dollars

the second set is Mountain Heritage Crafters MHC Best Value... MC100 - Flexcut (10 piece) 10" Mallet Tools - Deluxe Set.
Handcrafted with the same long lasting Flexcut razor edge, and the new ash handles can be driven with a mallet or by hand.
This ten piece set includes the MC203, MC403, MC505, MC307, MC309, MC211, MC311, MC511, MC245, and the MC460 this set is $200

i currently hae the 11 peice travel palm set from flexcut and enjoy them, have a little experince with the swiss made palm tools, like the flexcut a bit better.

i plan to do both relief and in the round carving.If you were to get a set which do you think would best suit my needs.

thanks for your input.
look


Last edited by lookingforyou : Today at 10:10 PM.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I am one who advises against tool sets. Bought two sets when I first started and have consistently used only a few tools from each set. In my view, a limited budget would point away from sets. For instance, I do not think I would need both an 8 and 12mm in a #5 or a 7 and 10mm in a #8. These are just too close together for me. Eventually, this might be nice. But, I would rather buy at least two of the four tools in a different gouge or at least a little further apart in size. The price for that many tools does not seem too bad, but I would rather have fewer tools, but a wider variety, if I were spending #300 bucks. Most of the instructors I have studied with will tell you that it is not necessary to have the exact same size gouge that they are using. It is possible to make do.

[Irish]

OK ... just my opinion ... but I believe I very much agree with Paul!

I do advise beginners to purchase tools sets as their starter sets. This gives them a chance to try each of the difference styles of tools and how useful those toos would be in their carving. I very much believe in starting inexpensively with your first set as you may not fall in love with carving the way I have. An inexpensive set lets you try out our craft before you begin to truely invest in the craft.

However, in your case, as you already have a good starter set you may want to now begin to purchase individual tools of higher quality that will last you a life time! That $200 to $300 price tag for the EBay set could go towards specific tools that are geared to you and your carvings. With the amount to invest you could be getting between 5 to 8 really great tools of your choice.

Many of the tools that I use were inherited from my father and his many years of carving. So, since my Dad invested very long ago in good tools I now get the enjoyment of their use.

Just my thoughts!

Susan

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Good quality, FULL LENGTH TEMPERED tools will last for a very long time. I have tools that are more than twice as old as I am (62) and are just as functional as the day they were made. I really don't have a big problem with buying sets, but, I'm also a collector. The beauty of collecting craving tools is you can use your collection unlike some of my other collections.

[Tina S]

Hi Looking,
I purchased an 8-piece full sized set when I started out and I am still very happy with my decision. I like the extra length of full sized tools because I can get both hands onto the tool and hand carve comfortably. I also feel like the extra length is sturdier but that's strictly my opinion.

While Ebay is a wonderful place to get stuff...I think you'd get a better deal buying from a wood carving supply store. Just key in "Wood Carving Supplies" into google and you'll be able to surf for a long time.

If you are lucky enough to have a business near you that carries these tools, you could hold them and check them out before you invested.

Happy Carving
Tina S

[Ken Carter]

The guy with the set you are looking at on Ebay has a brick and morter store front . His name is Bob Gadd look up Kms tools . Thats there web site . I buy all my Pfeil tools from him . He is a realy likeable guy . But hey I find that most people from Canada are . Anyway he knows more about wood turning than carving so I would find some one that has tools that you could look at and try . KMS has the best price's that I have found so far on Pfeil Tools .
Ken