Lady in Ohio needs to find a buddy willing to work with me.

[ohioweaver]

I'm the "new kid on the block" with so much enthusiasm I can't hold it any longer. I have all the tools now and patterns and one thing that I need most of all: to speak with others who have reached their SENIOR years that have arthritic hands. I have the Foredom tools now and wish to begin trying relief but the first question is: type of wood just for practicing using the recipricating tool and that fist pattern to try out with? Does anyone live near the west side of Cleveland? Thanks Diane

[Thomp]

From the topic i thought you must have Issues with getting along with others..

and you were hard to get along with Ha!

I'm not a instructor or any kind of a brain child, others are far well qualified on the subject,

Safety first, work in a well lighted area, get a good pair of leather gloves for power carving and a Kevlar glove for holding carvings with a knife, use a dust mask and or a fan blowing away from the work area, wood dust can be a real bother with respiratory systems. or better yet get a dust extractor..

As for arthritis on the days of high pain and low strength you may want to put off your work with sharp and power tools.. until you feel confident enough you can control the tools safely...

materials,
with just learning i would say stay away from pine, general conifer needle leaf, cone producing woods as they contain gummy rosin which will fill your bits and then scorch your work besides possibly overheating the burs and bits... plus these woods have a brittleness to them that is unfavorable to fine details.

dry woods without oils like basswood butternut popular gum and oak will turn out lots better, the softer woods were first on the list. make sure the wood is clear of knots and cracks and such things like voids and discolorations,, as these usually mean trouble in one way or the other for beginners

Pattern: keep it simple.
i seen a simple pattern somewhere of 4 dogwood flowers a stem and several leaves somewhere around here that would make a fine beginners pattern

hope this helps get you started. and others will jump in and correct me if i flubbed up..

[squbrigg]

Thomp....for not being a brain child, ya done fine!

Ohio....where there's a will, there's a way, as I'm sure you already know. Sorry I don't live in Cleveland, but maybe we can help you get started from here. It isn't complicated, quite simple really.

You have the tools........so you need some wood and I suggest you make a simple bench hook to hold your piece while you are working on it. As for wood, maybe start with a small piece of Basswood, it is readily available, not expensive and easy to work. As you want to do relief carving, start small, say 4" x 6" and 1" thick, (it will actually be 3/4" thick planed smooth, that's just the way wood is sold). Get a few pieces to get you started, lots of practice.

A "bench hook", is a flat piece of plywood usually, with a board across the bottom underside to catch on the edge of your table/desk/work surface to hold it and another board across the top and side front to hold your carving piece in place while you carve it. It's a simple jig made so both hands can be kept free to carve with.

As for a pattern.....get use to the tool first......draw on the first board you use in randon places on the board: a square, a circle and a triangle, and then cut away the back grounds for practice. Then shape the shapes, round the circle, make a pyramid of the triangel and square. Get use to the different cuts your cutters will make. Experement with ways to hold the tool comfortably.

Arthritis can be a challenge, but carving can be great therapy. It forces the joints to move and work and the concentration forces the pain into the background. Learn your limits and work within them. Most of all, enjoy yourself, it's a great way to spend time.

Good luck and please, ask all the questions you need to.

Bob

[ohioweaver]

You were VERY encouraging Bob and I looked at every picture on your pages. I can readily see that you are the power carver person that knows how to use the tools. I will start now as you suggested and if you run into anyone who is near Cleveland, Ohio give them my e-mail address won't you? It's difficult for me to get out and around many days and that's why I am hoping to find a buddy who will come over and hang out with me now and again. Thanks so much. Diane

[dewdrop]

Hi Diane, nice to meet you. Sorry I don't match the one your looking for other than I'm close (east side of Cleveland), unfortunately, I just started this week my self hmmm the blind leading the blind (with knives--not good !!!!) But I will be glad to pass on any info--are you going to the big carving show tomorrow (Sun. in Strongsville-9-4pm) I'm in hopes of getting lots of info there. also try going to woodcraft store on Rockside rd they are terrific for info and classes

[dewdrop]

[ohioweaver]

Dear Jeanne

This is absolutely WONDERFUL. You are right too about being the "new kid on the block".
I won't be able to attend that show: I have trouble driving sometimes due to my condition but if you want, maybe we can talk by e-mail? ohioweaver@aol.com Diane Marshall

[mdallensr]

Ohioweaver, you have a lot of carving colleagues in Northern Ohio. There was an annual carving show last weekend at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, and the show this weekend in Strongsville. Both of these shows are sponsored by local carving groups that meet routinely to carve and swap lies . The Great Lakes Wood Carvers list a couple of phone numbers: 216-676-0611 and 216-661-8142. The Lorain County Woodcarvers have a number for Les Gerken 440-320-4922. I'll bet they know someone who can help you. Mike

[dewdrop]

Diane, Hi there, just got back from the carving show in Strongsville, it was a really nice show,sorry you couldn't make it. I did get you some info for the Great lakes wood carvers but I see someone also gave you the phone numbers. They meet in Parma the fourth Thursday every month. Really friendly bunch And I'd be glad to talk with you e-mail or even by phone if you want-I also don't work because of my back
so I'm stuck here almost all the time. ( we can exchange #'s in email if you want?)
Hope your having a good day and hurry up and make that first cut! What are you thinking of making anyhow?? (after lots of practice boards hehe)
Jeanne