Many tool questions

[kookiemomster48]

I've been seeing a reciprocal carving tool that looks like an awesome thing for me since I have carpal tunnel syndrome and problems with tendonitis in my hands, among other little things.
I'm finding I can use a chisel fairly well if it can be used with my nylon or my rubber mallets.
I've yet to try any of the shaped knives although I have several fairly good pocket knives that work for some things. However my hands tire too quickly and my detail is difficult to obtain.
I'd love to know what brand of knife would be the most economical and yet be more ergonomic to use. And do the single handle sets work well for most people or would it be better to buy the individual knives?
I have an eight foot, eight inch through cedar pole that I'm hoping to carve later this summer (after vacation!) but I mostly work with small things so need to be able to get really fine detail without killing my hands.
What chisels work best with a hammer? Do they come in very small, medium and large sizes?
Has anyone used the dremel engraving tool for fine work? I can't really control the larger ones, even with the extension. Not to obtain the quality I want to become capable of anyway.
And do the little bitty sanding tools work for anyone?
I need to find out fairly soon as I hope to be able to buy some good tools in a week or so although my funds aren't unlimited.
Thanks in advance. I know for sure there are many here who seem to live to help as well as to carve.
miz Casey

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

A couple of things might help. I see in my VFW magazine a wrist support...my wife has weak wrists and thumbs, and I keep telling her to try those or see if wallyworld has them, they have all kinds of body support items...also for your knives, you can take a bunch of that tape , hospital/medical type that sticks to itself and wrap around your handles to enlarge them to whatever size is comfortable for you to use......just a couple ideas!

[kookiemomster48]

Thanks! I use the fingerless crafter's gloves (which fit under my leather gloves well) and when my left (support wrist and the worst one) is bad or I'm going to use it a LOT I have a major wrist brace to use.
The tape idea is a good one. Hmmmm, I could also use sculpey to make my own ergonomic handle for a knife. I'll think on that. Maybe better to use air dry clay since I don't want to heat my tools.
Got me thinkin' LOL
Miz CheersCasey

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I just found the ad in todays sunday supplement. They too are fingerless and 12.97 for a pair..... you can see them at www.DreamProductsCatalog.com now if I can talk my wife into ordering some so she can get back to bird carving! Have to admit, my left hand cramps up sometimes just holding a carving!

[kookiemomster48]

I got mine on eBay-search for crafters gloves, I think. I got two pair (and they soil QUICKLY) for less than $10. Love bargains!
My hubby's been carving (mostly stone) for eons (he's a lapidarist, silversmith and goldsmith too) and he got me using vises. I now clamp everything! Using heavy leather to protect my carvings I can do a hundred times more work and the swivel vises give you lots of range for positioning. Its nice to have an in-house teacher but he doesn't know the current tool manufacturers or some of the new tools. He often makes his own and he would make mine if I didn't mind WAITING until he has time. I figger some time in 2010...
Casey

[Donna_T]

Casey,
When I carve a lot, my carving glove get quite dirty and it discolors my carving that I'm holding. I've found that sudsing it out in the sink with diswashing liquid, rinsing it well, and hanging it upside down to air dry, makes it nearly good as new. When I have spots fray from over use and abuse, I wrap that spot with 3M wrap (lovingly referred to as "wimp wrap." It's also sold as vet wrap.

The thumb on my carving glove is usually the first to weaken and 3-4 layers of this wrap will really prolong the use.

I've also used it on the handles of some carving tools to cushion and enlarge the wood to make it more comfortable to use. Oh yes, my disclaimer...my husband retired from 3M 5-6 years ago, so we have a "vested" interest in 3M producet, but I'd use the stuff even if he hadn't worked there because the quality is tops in all their products!

Donna T

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I put that wrap on my new glove so the thumb lasts a lot longer

[Callynne]

Casey, I use reciprocating carving a lot when roughing out my pieces, I love it! When I started carving I ended up with tendonitis in both hands, it took two courses of therapy and wearing both day and nighttime hand braces to get it under control. I credit reciprocating roughing out to having it not return (for six years now!)

One of the things the therapist recommended, that might help you too, was putting a foam sleeve over the handles of my hand tools. I bought them at the hardware store (don't know what their real purpose is!), anyhow, he said it was helpful to change the grip on the tools to ease the strain. I no longer have to do that either.

As for the glove, somewhere I read about using moleskin (the self-adhesive kind that you find in the 'foot' section of stores like Walmart, etc.). I tried it, just cut to the size you want, i.e. a strip big enough to go around the finger between each joint (so you can bend the finger comfortably), put the glove on and press the moleskin into place. It really, really holds up well, in fact, I haven't cut through it yet!

Also, where my glove starts to come apart or unravel (from cuts) I mend it back together using quilting thread (just a heavier thread than regular). Of course, the thread isn't 'knife proof' but I find pulling the 'knife proof thread' of the glove back together actually protects the quilting thread and the repairs last a long, long time! Talking Deborah

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good idea ...you can get lengths of foam pipe insulation, cut it to whatever length you want.....hummm

[Just Carving]

Also, where my glove starts to come apart or unravel (from cuts) I mend it back together using quilting thread (just a heavier thread than regular). Of course, the thread isn't 'knife proof' but I find pulling the 'knife proof thread' of the glove back together actually protects the quilting thread and the repairs last a long, long time!

Thanks Deborah--I've been wondering if I could salvage my gloves. They get worn in spots and end up with holes. Then I have to abandon them even though they're not completely shot--just holes in places where the tool will most likely come in contact with the exposed skin. I'll have to give the quilting thread a shot.

Bob L