I took the first step today!

dickparr · #1 05-05-2008, 03:48 PM

Hi everyone, I have been turning bowls, plater's, vase's and hollow forms for about 4 years now. I would like to add to that and I took the first step today by ordering the Super Pro Standard Package w/Fixed Tip Handpieces from Colwood. I took the advise of those on here, that said to get them polished when you order. I also ordered the Sue Walters DVD with it.

Can anyone tell me if there is anything else I will need to get started? This will be new for me. I know there will be lots of practice ahead and more questions.

Thank you in advance.

Dick

Mottles · #2 05-07-2008, 12:41 PM

Hi Dick, well you can't go wrong with a Sue Walter's DVD I'm sure the instruction will be excellent. Also, Lora Irish, Woodcarving Patterns, Classic Carving Patterns Online, Wood Carving Designs & Patterns Online and a regular contributor to this site has instructional information/books of which I own several. Have you decided what type of wood you would like? I personally, have burned on birch, basswood and poplar and like them all.
I would recommend before you even decide on what you want to burn. Get some scrap pieces of wood and get to know your burner. Test out all your pens, to see what each one will do. Test your heat regulator to see what it will do. Woodburning to me is liken to drawing with an ink pen, only a hot ink pen. LOL
Practice, cross-hatching, straight lines, circles etc. do some shading from light to dark. Make a shading chart will find the one I did and link it for you. Lora Irish showed me how to do one and I use it! http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...guidepixel.jpg I could have gone even darker. If you make one leave the first square the natual color of the wood, then in the second square start you cross-hatching. Look at this thread I think you will find it useful while you are learning Mule Deer WIP
Other's will also have good information for you too.
Kathy

dickparr · #3 05-07-2008, 04:16 PM

Thank you Kathy,

I am waiting for my kit to arrive and then I hope to spend some days working with it before I start anything.

Thanks for the tip on the shading chart.

I have been accumulating some basswood for a few months and will more then likely start on it, but to be moving to maple, cherry and walnut as I get better. Those are the 3 main types of wood I turn on the lathe.

Can't wait until my kit gets here.

Thanks again.
Dick

Mottles · #4 05-08-2008, 12:17 AM

Dick, you are most welcome, this is what is so wonderful about this web site WCI message board. It's carvers and woodburner's helping each other. I want to help make new members as welcome as I felt when I joinned and needed lots of help and encouragement!
Here is a link for uploading images to this site when you are ready. Posting Photos Members show both 'works in progress' (WIP) and completed works. If you need help with a project just upload an image or two so we can get a visual picture of your project.
Looking forward to following your progress.
Kathy

dickparr · #5 05-08-2008, 10:00 PM

Thanks again Kathy.

Look what showed up today. Now I can't wait until tomorrow to give it a try.

Pyrographer · #6 05-09-2008, 09:10 AM

Hi Dick, I'm not sure what pens you ordered but experiment with them to see what you can do. I also have some tutorials on my website that might help. Be sure to look at the one on material safety regarding the woods that can be toxic Pyrography 101 Tutorial. There is also a tutorial on some of the Colwood pens although I have been short on time and it is not complete yet.

Congrats on getting the new kit and be sure to keep those tips clean when burning.

Nedra

Mottles · #7 05-09-2008, 01:23 PM

Hi Dick, Congratulations, that looks like a super woodburning kit. I would think you have a good variety of pens from what I can see. There will always more pens you'll want to have for certain effects (ie fish scale).
I have a RazorTip and three work horse pens, (1)writer (2)shader/blender (3 skew). These three pens will do just about anything I want to do.
Hope you will show us your first woodburning with your new unit.
Nedra is right about safety, I use both a filtered mask and use my dust controller. The dust controller pull the smoke away from my eyes. These are things I use with my powercarving and have found them useful with woodburning.
Kathy

Pyrographer · #8 05-09-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mottles

Hi Dick, Congratulations, that looks like a super woodburning kit. I would think you have a good variety of pens from what I can see. There will always more pens you'll want to have for certain effects (ie fish scale).
I have a RazorTip and three work horse pens, (1)writer (2)shader/blender (3 skew). These three pens will do just about anything I want to do.
Hope you will show us your first woodburning with your new unit.
Nedra is right about safety, I use both a filtered mask and use my dust controller. The dust controller pull the smoke away from my eyes. These are things I use with my powercarving and have found them useful with woodburning.
Kathy

Kathy is correct. The three comparable pens you would find in Colwood are: C or MC writers; E-45 Bent spear (it'snew, just like the Razertip), round or square shaders; KR or GR round-heeled knives/skews

Nedra

Woodartist · #9 Yesterday, 12:16 PM

Good tutorials and info: Linda Fellows Worksheets - Introductory Page