[carver 27]

I need some advice on carving a chimpmunk
this is my first caving and I want it to be 3D
What is the best
wood,
pattern,
and what tools do I need.
David

[Eddy Smiles]

Dave...

Wood: Basswood is the wood of choice especially for a novice.

Pattern: Google some pictures of chipmunks and make your own pattern or hope that someone on this forum has a non-copyrighted pattern that they can share.

Tools: Call or email either of the following organizations and tell them what you want to do. They're good folks and will set you up with a beginner's set and only what you really need to get started.

http://www.woodcarvers.com/

http://www.littleshavers.com/

[Bob DeBusschere]

David, I agree with Eddie’s recommendations. Here is a couple more pointers, I believe that starting with a good pattern (purchased or homemade) is the way to go. To save time and to get the shape desired. To briefly put it; take a block of wood, draw top view and side view, then cutout top view with a band saw or coping saw, reattach cut-off pieces, cut out side-view, and now the fun part comes, with a knife start shaping your chipmunk.
I used only a knife on my first carving and carved it out of a block of wood, you can see it at http://bobsstudio.blogspot.com after that I discovered the above way.

[badgerbob]

The other Carving Magazine, Carving Magazine has a chipmunk carving project in the Fall 2007 issue, issue #19.

The article show the various steps to carve the chipmunk and discusses painting the project. There are over 30 pictures of steps a person can use to complete the project. There is a list of suggested acrylic colors to use and has a suggestion of tools that could be used.

You may want to download pictures as others have suggested also.

[Eddy Smiles]

e-magazine has two chipmunk patterns by Enlow, one full bodied and the other just a head pattern.

[Nancy_G]

You've received excellent advice on tools (Little Shavers www.littleshavers.com is my favorite) and wood. A great place to get a really fine pattern of a chipmunk is Stillers Patterns. www.stillerpatterns.com A chipmunk is on page 23 of their pattern list.
http://www.stillerpatterns.com/catalog_page_23.html

Good luck ...... You're gonna ' LOVE wood carving. And congratulations on finding such a good place to ask questions

[brian bailey]

Go to google.com - images - type in - chipmunk, lots of models!

[can i have the ear back]

i disagree on the type of wood i find camphor is the best

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by can i have the ear back

i disagree on the type of wood i find camphor is the best

geez, who is going to take the word of a 13 year old about it? lol

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

geez, who is going to take the word of a 13 year old about it? lol

"Thats what I camphor, how much does it sulphur"?