Woodcraft for XMAS ... Power Carving Tools??!!

[kcwaterguy]

Ok... my mother-in-law is supportive... maybe way more than my wife is... of my carving and althought I have never bought anything from Woodcraft, she gave me a $50 gift card to woodcraft.

Well here are the power carving items there...

http://www.woodcraft.com/depts.aspx?DeptID=1048&FamilyID=2209

Have no clue what to get anywhere in the store for $50 but thought maybe something from that link??

Please help... give advice??!!!

Sean - KC

[Kenny_S]

Sean, I guess it really depends on what you are wanting to carve besides your GCC, which I will add, your are an excellent GCCer.
I have no clue what to tell you or suggest, not knowing what else(style) of carving you are interested in. I do know that power carving, If you are interested in, should come after you learn the basics of knife carving. There will be some whop disagree with me but that is ok as just my humble opinion. I have looked at power carving devices but have not shelled out the cash as I still need to refined my knife carving quite a bit.
Besides, the gift card will not burn a hole in your pocket. But be glad it isn't a Wal-mart gift card where if you don't use it in a certian amount of time, they deduce some from it. Hmmm, Maybe it is time to turn them over to the law for robbery. Plain and simple, that IS what they are doing. Sorry, I regress in to a rant.
Best wishes on what to get Sean.

[wade clark]

Sean,
Nice gift! Is there a Woodcraft store near you? There's one near Nashville that I love to go in and spend an hour. That'd be the way to use it, but you may spend a lot more while you're there!
Wade

[slivers&dust]

I agree with Kenny on both accounts.

I went from basic carving, caricatures, with a bench knife and cheap gouges to a Foredom flexible shaft and decoy carving. I also have a Ram micro motor. They both have a hefty price tag but not the most pricey in power carvers either. You can do a lot with the Foredom alone with additional hand pieces and a good assortment of bits.

I'm headed in the opposit direction and back into using hand tools. I also got a gift card from Woodcraft and just the other day recieved a mailer from them offering a $25.00 gift card with the purchase of $100 of Pfeil carving tools. With the average tool at around 22-25 bucks thats like by four get one free. There's only a few things better then free money and thats free tools and...

[kcwaterguy]

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3736

If I wanted just a "little" power machine would this be okay to help me learn carving in the round?

For $20 would it work?

Sean - KC

[Paul_Guraedy]

Happy New Year Sean,

I do not own; but, have used one of the micro carvers (from your post). They are good for some quick detailing in certain spots. They do not have the torque nor endurance for any real carving. To answer your question, in my opinion it would not help you in learning "in the round". In fact, it might do the opposite and turn you off of power carving since it will not do the job.

I would suggest that you use the gift certificate for something that you have thought about and just not gotten (sharpening and measuring, etc.).

Stop in when you get back down this way.

[Doug Ridley]

I agree with Paul. That thing is not much punkin.

[slivers&dust]

If you want to learn in the round carving, then I would spend it on books or maybe a class at Woodcraft.

IMO you will get more out of a good book or class then that underpowered tool.

[kcwaterguy]

Ok now followup question ... you are all so experienced....

I want to do ornaments, santas, etc. Not sure I want to do real life ie. birds, chipmunks, etc....

What books there would you suggest? YES - I am asking you to spend my $50.... lol


Thanks,
Sean

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

How about a Pete Ortel book, or one by the Bishops, or Dave Stetson....actually most any from one of the caricature carvers of america would get you a good start.....also Old Joe's site has a couple basics that would get you stated too, lots of things on the web!