Set up shop in an apartment

[Tom Marty]

Hi Everyone,

I am new at this and live in an apartment. Could someone suggest how to set up a shop or work area? Thank you.

Tom

[papasar]

Welcome Tom,
How about a little more info?
What type carving? Size of projects? Power or hand tools?
I'm sure you will get good advice here but we need a little more to go on.
Bill K.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

If your just going to do smaller relief and hand carvings a table some carving tools a good light and a vacuum or broom. Now if you want to do larger stuff a scroll saw or band saw on a bench or stand for sawing out blanks and stuff is very helpful. Search around the site for carving benches and carving vises this is something you might want to make if you plan to do larger work.

Welcome to the WCI Board to.
Carl

[Tom Marty]

Thank you Bill K.

The carvings that I am working on are spoons and caractures. I want to learn how to do chip carvings (I have the book The Complete Guide To Chip Carving by Wayne Burton). I am using hand tools. The projects vary in size (nothing too large). I draw some of my own designs.

Thanks,
Tom

[chuckbolton]

buy a small shop vac-- chips plug normal household vacumums. (experience speaking. find a shop-- or club and take some classes-- start with some roughouts-- there will be fewer chips than if u were working from bandsaw blanks-- chip carving produces much fewer and smaller chips than some other type of carvings-- also try and carve on wood or vynil covered flooring. i know one guy who has a card board box and carves over that and manages to get most of the chips in that--i dont think i could do that-

[papasar]

Tom,
I am mostly a chip carver and the world is my shop. No kidding. I carve anytime and anywhere. In the car, on the tailgate, doctors office, patio, park, shopping mall. You get the idea. I also carve in the round and relief carving. Most of my indoor carving is in my spare bedroom, in front of my computer. My tools are in tool rolls or a small canvas tool bag that is my to-go kit. I change contents depending on what I am carving. Total sq ft is about 25. Band saw and power tools are in garage. Half the closet and under the bed is other carving stuff. Works for me.
Bill K.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I would think a good scrollsaw would fit your needs and not be a problem in an apartment....they will cut up to about 1 1/2 in thick wood

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Tom. It's good to have you with us.

I live in a condo and do most of my carving on the patio. When it's cold out, I have a small folding table set up, a small carvers vise and my tools in a tray.

[Joy]

I carve on a sturdy table (built by hubby) in my bedroom. I have a rolling cart with metal baskets to store all my "stuff" in.

Welcome to the forum.