Again a beginner with a tool question.

[Schummie]

Dear carvers,

This is one off my first message on your website, I’m reading already for a couple
off months on your forum and I love it.
I’m 47 years old and I’m living in the Netherlands.
I want to begin with relief carving but I doubt about the chisels.
First I want to tell you that I’m handicapped and that I’m sitting in my wheelchair
or a special chair (electric up en down and with a special leg support) when I want to do woodcarving.
I want to do some woodworking, but because off the terrible pains I have, I must search for
something by which I can sit. Sitting I can stand for about 10 a 15 minutes.
Therefore I thought that woodcarving is something I can do, I want to forget my pain for some time.
I have make a little list off the chisels Chris Pye advised on his website, only he use
the large chisels from Pfeil and I thought that it is better for me to use the smaller ones.
First because I’m sitting down and second I don’t have big hands and I want to make some small things.
This is my little list, what is you opinion about this list?

Thank you very mutts for your help.

Schummie
(sorry for my English)

Pfeil:
Sweep 2 x 5mm - flat gouge
Sweep 2 x 12mm
Sweep 7 x 6mm - medium gouge
Sweep 7 x 14mm
Sweep 9 x 5mm - deep gouge
Sweep 9 x 10mm
Sweep 1S x 8mm - skew chisel
Sweep 12 x 8mm - 60° V tool
Wooden mallet 540gr.
And Pfeil knife

1"= 25,4mm

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Your english is just fine Schummie, in your position maybe you would rather give small figure carving a try. If you take a look at Gene Messer's videos on youtube all you really need is a simple carving knife and only a small number of gouges. Most of his projects if your able to view the videos he has only take short periods of time to complete where relief carving if your getting intricate can take up multiple hours.

YouTube - whittler0507's Channel

When I do relief carving I tend to sit down and the chisels you have listed would make a fine set for relief carving. Pfeil are quite expensive but are some of the best tools anyone can buy. Do you have any knowledge or a way to sharpen carving tools?
Carl

[KenC]

Welcome Schummie

I am also new to wood carving and posted my first carving yesterday. So I hope you don't object to a fellow newbie suggesting things.
Since sitting is your best position I would see about making a desk or table that accommodates your wheelchair then get a bench hook for your work Woodcarving, Bracing Table for Relief Carving, Carving Instruction this will help hold your wood so that you can comfortably do your work. As far as tools buy a couple gouges one small, one medium, the same with a couple v tools and a good knife to start with. Don't over buy at this time I think it is best to build up your tool inventory depending on what you need to do the type of work you decide is right for you. One important thing to do is buy all of your tools sharpened from the supplier and get a good strop to keep them sharp until you get set up to sharpen your own tools. Strop them often to keep a nice sharp edge.

Good Luck
Ken

[Schummie]

Dear carvers,

thank you very mutts for your respons.
CarverFromNoWhere it is also a nice idea, butt also my hand are painful and there is
moisture in my hands because off the use off Morphine.
For sharpening I want to use a slipstone set from King Stones. Those stones
have also a little the form off the chisel. I hope this works.
KenC you have this difficult choice behind you. I like your idea very mutts
about the desk construction. I thought I saw something on this forum that
even hat a construction to get different heights. I think I gone try to make
something, I think it is great for me.
Your right about the Pfeil chisels, but is think that it is for me very
important that the chisels are very sharp and stay that way.
I think that the Pfeil tools are a little cheaper over here, I buy them in Germany.

Thank you very mutts for your help and your ideas.

Schummie.

[squbrigg]

Hello Schummie,

Welcome to the world of wood carving. Like you, I also have constant pain and physical limitations, and I have found that carving is great therapy. Pfeil tools are wonderfully sharp and very easy to keep that way, so invest in good tools as they will help you advance in carving. Dull tools will frustrate a new carver quickly, so learn to strop your tools and keep them sharp.

For relief carving, you may want to consider making a lap tray to carve on. Something comfortable, that will hold your work and your tools. A wheelchair is no problem for a carver.

I suggest that you include a #1, #3 and a # 5 sweep gouge in your list of tools, perhaps in a 6 mm size, or 8 mm, I like to use fishtail gouges for my relief work, but regular gouges will do just fine.

Take your time and enjoy the experience of learning. The best advice I can offer you is to practice. That is how you will learn, practice, practice and practice some more. Borrow lots of books on carving from the library or buy one or two good ones. Ask lots of questions here, this is the best resource there is for carvers. And of course, get a subscription to Wood Carving Illustrated if you don't already have one.

Best of luck and enjoy the journey.

Bob

[wildhare]

Hello Schummie,
You will find many of us here carve sitting down or have many physical limitations. Carving is an escape from the world of pain for many of us.
Welcome to board and the carving world.
Wanda

[Schummie]

Dear friends,

thank you very mutts for your warm words, it feels so good to know that
your not alone. Sometimes you feel so alone, the world goes one and I keep
lying on my bed. I didn't know that be so long lasting ill is so lonely.
This gives me hope that I also can do something that I want so mutts.
I'm gone look to your advise.
Can you advice me a book for a beginner?

Thanks again, this feels good.

Schummie

[teeburn]

Hi, Schummie! Just wanted to also let you know you are not alone. I am also in a wheel chair and have a lift-recliner. I just started relief carving myself and I am really enjoying it. It is wonderful therapy. You can find ways to adjust and you have already been given some wonderful suggestions. Please keep us updated on your progress.

Blessings,
Tina
aka teeburn

[LJonsson]

Hi Schummie,

Welcome to the site and woodcarving, try Woodcarving Patterns, Classic Carving Patterns Online, Wood Carving Designs & Patterns Online site for a lot of information on relief carving. Your list of tools looks great, you might want to consider adding a #11 veiner, they are very helpful. a photo of your work, I can't wait to see it!!

Loretta

[Schummie]

Dear Loretta,

what a beautiful name, Loretta.
Thank you for the link, this site has really a lot off information.
I doubted to take a #11 when I make my list, I thought maybe is he great
for small lines. What number shell you take?
Thank you for your help.

Schummie.