[jstive]

I was forced to retire due to my health (won't get into it just thank the lord I lived through it). Anyway I have always had great respect for all you carvers out there and I want to try and get into it a little bit. I bought a few beginners gouges and chisels and a cheaper knife set that takes different blades for different uses. Figured I will pick up some quality knives after I get into it a little bit. I did however buy a colwood wood burner kit. I believe it was one of the better kits they offer. It is the super pro II with replaceable tips. I want to do birds and I like that soft look of the feathers alot of the carvers do so I went ahead and bought a good one. I started practicing on doing feathers on scrap wood and I got to tell you I have a long way to go. I run across this forum on the web and I got to say it is going to be of great help to me in the future. When my reitirement finally gets here I plan on buying a few tools and will be asking you folks for some help. Anyway I planned on keeping this short and it has gotten away from me a little bit. What I wanted to say was thanks for such a nice website and the loads of info in it. I hope someday I will become as good as some of you people are at carving. I know Iam gonna give it one heck of a try and know that I will enjoy it. Thanks again and until I start bombarding you guys with questions keep up the good work. Jim

[groozier]

Welcome to the group. Ask away, somebody will get back with an answer.

groozier

[Mark N. Akers]

Jim:
Welcome to the site,its loaded with woodcarving info,just ask.

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Jim. Your story sounds familiar to many of us, so you'll fit right in around here. Ask all the questions you want, we have a wealth of experience aboard here and real nice folks to help you.

Bob

[Tom H]

Welcome Jim! This is the place to be. Lots of very talented, skilled, and helpful, carvers here. But there are a lot the same types of carvers right around where you live in Michigan too. Tom H

[Arnold Smith]

Welcome Jim.

Arnold

[wood-whittler]

jimm,

hello and welcome to the board.


bart

[Donna_T]

Welcome Jim,
Learning to carve will be a great way to to transition your "early" retirement and give you lots more to look forward to in the days and months ahead.

Sounds like you've purchased a great wood burner, but I'd caution you (from experience) to avoid buying sets of carving tools. Buy 2-3 good carving tools (knife, v-tool, and veiner), sharpening tools, carving glove and seek out an area carving club or a carving instructor to help get you started.

Regardless, we're glad you've joined us here on our message board. Let us know how your carving experience goes--and holler any time you need advice or help.

Donna T

[Mottles]

Welcome, great to have you join us. I have only been carving for a year and boy have I learned from all these fine carvers and woodburners. All you have to do is ask if you need help. Don't forget to share your carvings when your ready.
Kathy

[DADDIO]

welcome from mississippi also,good luck and just keep on practicing,there are some real good people and carvers on here that would be willing to advise you on anything you need,be sure and go through and read the other threads because there is a wealth on info on here,do a search on anything carving related and you will probably get and answer just from that.i spent about 3 days reading about all the threads under general carving and a few others. good luck and happy carving