[The Major]

Does anyone have any information regarding book titles for BEGINNERS who are BRAND NEW to POWERCARVING…AND…who is not only interested in carving in wood, but also stone and glass, as well?

There appear to be lots and lots of book titles on the website, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend some titles for a novice?

I have no previous experience carving, but I’d like to pursue carving with my Dremel, especially in the above mediums.

Any help or advice would be most welcome and greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Sincerely,

The Major.

[susieq]

Greetings Major,
and welcome to woodcarving, it's a great hobby. I power carve too and can tell you about some books written by a power carver. They are not specifically written for beginners but do show techniques and which stones and bits to use for certain jobs.

Books by Frank Russell feature power carving. he has a whole bunch of book titles out there. The best thing for you to do though, is to hook up with a power carver either as a teacher or friend (or both) and sit and work together. Actually seeing some one use their tools is so much better than trying to get help from a book....this is true no matter what you are trying to learn.

Also, I will be happy to try to help with questions if I can. I started as a gouge and chisle carver and still do that once in a while, but my main focus is power now for the last 10 years or so.
Sincerely,
susieq

[The Major]

Hello Susieq...

Thank you so much for responding!

I hadn’t heard from anyone on the message board about my posting and was terribly concerned I had offended some of the message board members.

After posting and then reading that the majority of people carve with knives and chisels and mostly in wood, I thought I had put ‘my foot in it’ by stating I was interested in powercarving AND carving in glass and stone!

If I have offended anyone by my preference, I do apologize. I’m very new to this, having only bought my Dremel 2 weeks ago (It was on sale for an incredible 50% off!)

Getting back to your reply, Susieq…I did look up the books you suggested by Frank Russell, unfortunately I have been unable to find any in the (5) bookstores I’ve visited. I shall continue my search and am determined to track down a copy!

I haven’t had any luck finding a Powercarving Club (if that’s the correct terminology) that’s nearby. I live in a big city but there’s nothing like that around.

I have been scouring the Internet since my posting and have become very interested in the carving knife, chisel and gouge approach, as well.

May I ask you why/what made you decide to change over from hand to powercarving?

I guess my BIG question is how and what to get started with? There are so many fantastic things out there to carve, but I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start…do you have any suggestions?

By the way, I checked out your website. Very nice ornaments you carved…my wife would go NUTS for those on our tree…better not let her see those or else that will be my project for all next year…” a hundred carved Xmas ornaments, please!” Hahahaha.

Again, thank you so much for your response…very much appreciated. And thank you for the kind offer to answer any questions I may have.

Respectfully,

The Major.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't believe anyone was offended...I think we/they just didn't have an answer for you! I have a dremel and a foredom but use 90% knives and chisels...I also do some glass engraving but that too is incidental...sorry you didn't get better response....and faster, from me

[susieq]

Greetings Major,
I doubt that you offended anyone by asking for information. That is what the website is all about. Regarding where to find Frank Russell's books or any other books on carving, the best place is through a carving supply vendor. You didn't say where you live but if there is not a carver's supply store near you, catalogs are a good way to go. I mail order most of my bits. They also stock books.

I carved for about 5 years with gouges and it is wonderful. I highly recomend learning gouge and chisel carving first because I think it give you a better understanding of carving. I became aquainted with power carving through Frank Russell when he did our local club show as the Foredom Rep. I hosted several workshops at my home with him and I started slow...with a little Dremel/shaft outfit.
This is a good way to start with minimal investment in the hobby until you see if power carving is for you or not. I graduated to Foredom SR unit and then after a few more years I made the big investment in a Foredom micro motor for fine detail....that was a big investment. They cost $600 back then.
They are making some less expensive ones now but they have a lower rpm.

My husband dragged an old IV hanger from a hospital, home from a yardsale sometime back and I currently have 2 small dremels (different collet sizes because I am lazy and hate to change collets) a large heavy duty dremel, a foredom sr unit hanging ....one with a big cutzall and one with a big sander. Then, on the bench I have the Foredom micro motor for fine details and texturing. I love power carving because of the extreme detailing I can do with it and because I now have arthritis in my hands and it is easier for me to carve this way than with a gouge. But I refuse to give up my gouges......
I will get back on here tonight when I get home from work, and post some carving supply catalog vendors for you .


Dremel is a good basic tool that has fairly high rpms and that alone will make up for the lack of power when roughing. Just don't bear down real hard, the rpms will do the work. Dremel is good for detailing too, again because of the 30,000 rpms.

Micro motors have the motor in the handpiece which frees you from the restriction of working with a flexible shaft and they usually have a higher rpm but they cannot be abused!!! Very light touch required with a micro motor, no heavy work.

I recomend you try to find a local club and join. Classes are also well worth it. It's one thing to read a book and quite another to actually watch someone who knows what they are doing and have hands on instruction.
Sincerely
susieq

[susieq]

Major,
here are some mail order vendors that I have delt with.
Christian J. Hummul Co.
1800-762-0235
www.hummul.com

MDI Woodcarvers Supply
www.mdiwoodcarvers.com

Little Mountain Carving Supply
www.littlemountaincarving.com

Wood Carvers Supply, Inc.
www.woodcarverssupply.com

And I would be remiss if I did not recomend Little Shavers Woodcarving Supply
www.littleshavers.com
owned and operated by Rick & Theresa Ferry who are members on this site and do lots of good things for new carvers and young carvers.

Please check them out and don't be afraid to ask questions here...this is what the site is here for.
All the best,
susieq

ps. If you cannot find Frank Russell titles, I will put you in touch with Frank and he can help you.

[BobD]

We carry Frank's books too...just hop over to www.foxchapelpublishing.com

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

PS. Welcome aboard...I didn't say anything before because I'm still learning knife and chisel carving...and use my foredom mainly for sanding <GRIN>

[Ashbys]

Hi Major ,

you asked for something special , and as such , I flet you should be answered ny someone with experence, or more experence.

That said you have some good help now , and since I know a bit about grinding I will give you some information, that I know.

I have used grinders for over 30 years, I have used many different types in producing molds, and although the medium is different the basics are the same. You have a Dremel, which says it gives you the world, they have their place but they are not all they say or like to give the impression they are.

They are not designed to really tackle things like glass , stone, or even wood. They are a light duty grinder and designed to handle light duty work. They will do what they say but with some restrictions and will often burn out from over use.

If I was looking to do glass work, I would look towards the high speed pencil grinders, If I was looking for large material removal , I would look towards a heavy die grinder or a foreman. A dremel will get there , if you give it time and do not expect great things from it.
The shafts often have vibrations in them which will cause issues in harder items, like glass or stone. Many of the cutters are unforgiving and the tools often have soft shanks which can bend while being used.

Make sure you wear eyeprotection at all times, and a dust mask. If your cutting glass you can get the particles into your lungs which can cut the lung tissue and cause internal bleeding. If I was cutting glass with a Dremel , I would want a full enclosed face shield for protection.

Take your time chose your project well , and you will be much happier.

ASh

[squbrigg]

Hey Major,

I can't really help with suggestions on books to use, most are geared towards blade use. But.... I do use power, Foredom and Dremel, so if you have a specific question, I'll try to help. Mostly, all I can suggest is experiment. Get use to what the Dremel will do, how the burrs work and have fun.

Burrs will be your biggest friend....... try a bit of everything and find out what works for you. Careful though, you can spend a lot on burrs, so just get a range of different burrs in various grits, and give them a go. Start coarse and work your way up to fine and fine'r. They work super, but be careful, they also remove flesh and muscle as quickly as wood, so take your time and stay in control.

I start with:
Foredom Red Carbides,
then Foredom Blue Carbides,
then Kutzell Silver Carbides,
then Kutzell Gold carbides,
or perhaps a steel cutter,
then to Ruby and Diamond burrs, I don't use stones much, they are mostly for birds.
I also use sanding burrs too.

Bob

[The Major]

Good Day fellow Message Board members!!

What a wonderful surprise to see all your terrific responses!

To all who responded, thank you very much!

Hi Ho Silver…I’m glad to hear no one was offended. Being new to the whole process, I wasn’t sure. A ‘friend’ of mine gave me heck, saying that I had no business posting about powercarving and glass and stone and…and...

He had checked out the site and said it was about using hand tools, not power tools. Not to worry though, I shall show him your postings!

I must say, I’m very impressed with your website and your talent. Your Blue Heron…INCREDIBLE!!!

By the way, how did you create the water effect on the base?

The detail in your duck feathers…MIND BOGGLING…how on EARTH did you ever do that? Is that with power or by hand tools?

I must say you’re a very gifted artist!

Susieq…Thank you so much for your continued support and supplying me with all that information. You have made me feel very welcome to this message board. Again, thank you.

That Frank Russell fellow seems to be the Powercarving Guru. I was able to find a place that does have his books. Will definitely be asking ‘Santa’ to consider those for my stocking stuffer!

I do believe I shall take your advice and try the gouge and chisel route. I bought some hand tools (chisels + chip knives and Japanese detail tools) this weekend. The gentleman at the store suggested I try carving on soap to get a ‘feel’ for the tools before trying wood. However, I did buy a small piece of basswood.

Very sorry to hear that arthritis is interfering with your crafting, I hope the arthritis doesn’t become too painful.

Thank you for the mail order vendors. I shall check them all out! I honestly appreciate the time, assistance and patience you’ve shown me. I can’t thank you enough!

BobD…thank you for the support. Guess there’s more of us learning the ‘hand’ way before tackling the ‘power’ way!

Ashbys…Thank you so much for the information about the Dremel. Especially the information regarding cutting glass. I NEVER thought about the ramifications of cutting glass and the health effects. I do appreciate you warning me of these hazards. Perhaps I’ll wait on working with glass until the future (or I can afford some safety equipment for glass working). Another friend recommended using etching solution for glass instead of trying to powercarve it.

Squbrigg…Holy Smokes…checked out the burrs on a local home renovation store…some of those burrs ARE expensive! I’ll be very selective and careful with them. I shall follow your advice and experiment with the burrs that came with my Dremel kit.

Again, to those above who have replied...Thank you once again. You have all made me feel most welcome.

I do have one last question…those that do use both chisel/gouge/knife *AND* powercarving…do you use the Dremel to rough-cut, then chisel/gouge/knife for the main carving then the Dremel to finish off the project? Or is the Dremel used primarily for rough cutting and the chisel/gouge/knife used for the duration? Is there any method preferable to the carvers out there?

Sincerely,

The Major.