soft basswood?

kcwaterguy · #1 07-03-2006, 11:53 PM

Ok... I know I am new, but I bought some basswood local and loved the convience. Now I am trying to carve it and it is tough and hard. I always thought basswood was like butter??? As a starter, can someone please point me to an inexpensive yet good source of basswood?

Thanks,
Sean

Thomp · #2 07-04-2006, 02:17 AM

http://www.heineckewood.com/

try that site
best i ever carved.... no credit card needed he will bill you....

Lynn O. Doughty · #3 07-04-2006, 08:41 AM

I buy basswood from a mill in Arkansas that I use to make bases but would never carve it as it is HARD. I get all my carving stock from way up north as the seasonal changes up there seem to be what makes it so soft. You probably got a piece of that southern wood!

wood-whittler · #4 07-04-2006, 09:56 AM

i agree with thomp,you wont get a bad peice of wood from heineke, if you do i think they will amke it good but i have never or heard of anyone else getting a bad peice from them.

bart

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #5 07-04-2006, 10:19 AM

I have had and do have some of that hard basswood and its a shame for a new carver to get it right off, it sure puts a dampener in your enthusiasm! Do as suggested and get some good stuff...you will love it..and I think Lynn is right...southern basswood is hard!

Kenny_S · #6 07-04-2006, 11:27 AM

Yep, Thomp is right on where to get some great basswood. Prices are good also, friendly and fast service, too.
I got several board foot of that southern basswood and it looks great but sure does carve badly. I thought my knives were dull. chips bad also. Yes sean, order from
http://www.heineckewood.com/

They have some great basswood.

Try dave's method and get a spray bottle and mix half and half of water and alcohol and spray the basswood and let it dry and see if that helps. If nothing helps, save the wood for bases like Lynn suggested.

Thomp · #7 07-04-2006, 02:03 PM

sounds like my experiance with the hobbie store packaged basswood,
it had 2 darker blocks in the bag of about 10 pieces of verious sizes,
all was ok untill i got to the darker wood,
i cut myself 4-5 times becuse my knife just skidded off it. \
found out later it was cherry.. hard as black locus... I wound up using it for wear plates for template markers.....
get you some northern basswood....
2x2x12"=$ 2.50 or so..+SH
cypress tupelo gum or butternut would all work good as well.

woodpecker · #8 07-05-2006, 07:05 PM

Up here in IA we use the northern basswood....most of the basswood I use is from MN. and especially cut for carvers by a retired forestry man, John Krantz.....He cuts only during the winter months and "air drys" everything ( no kilns, just nature) this is the best basswood I've carved...

Tip: spray a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water (75/25) on your wood and it will carve alot easier and dry leaving no hint of the mixture.