[xsailer]

I did 'root' around for the thread, not really thinking, just rooting, but I finally sniffed it out. I'm really looking forward to expanding my 'rooting around' area.

Silly huh?

[Eddy Smiles]

Now why would a blind hog want to look for an acorn? I guess that I need to spend more time in the country!

I have a confession to my earlier statement. I do use my Dremel for sanding. If there's anything in woodworking that I hate more than sanding I can't think of it right now. I keep Mr. Mouse and Mr. Dremel with me whenever I drag my carving tools out and I've got a fairly good selection of drums, sandpaper and disks for both.

[whitecree]

I hate sanding so much, I'll put it off until I've got a solid days worth of sanding to do. Thanks to the powers that be that somebody invented electric sanders of all sorts, sizes and shapes!!

I like making spoons, but adzing them out was tedious and knuckle slicing. Now, in five minutes or less with an angle grinder and 24x discs, I can turn out twice as many roughed out spoons as I used to.

Of course, my hands feel all blurry and tingly for a couple hours later, but what the heck.

[Mottles]

Hi Paul, add me to the list--I just got my new Foredom 5240 Flex Shaft carver and set it up yesterday. I haven't actually started a carving yet, but have been getting aquainted with how it works and the accessories. I've also been reviewing the DVD that came with it Fur, Feathers & Fins by Frank Russell. I've finished CD 1 and moving on to 2 & 3. I really enjoyed CD 1 and learned a lot and will go back and review until the CD's are worn out. LOL
I've been enjoying our new Power Carving forum and hope to learn and share.
Also the bur's learning what bur to use for what project is a bit of a puzzlement right now. In Franks CD he does go into bur's and their usage specific to his projects. I've been practing changing collets, and bit's and did play around with the various bits on some scrape basswood. I did notice that the basswood tends to for want of a better word pill up or look like a pile of pulverised wood. Mostely when using the typhoon bits.
Any tip and suggestions etc., most needed for power carver to be. LOL
Kathy

[BobD]

Basswood does fuzz up when you use power...many power carvers use tupelo because it doesn't fuzz...or jelutong...but since Jelutong is from the rubber tree, people with latex allergies should avoid it.

Ive had good results power carving basswood if I go back in and "De-fuzz" with a couple chunks of extra fine scotchbrite pads chucked in an mandral...they are abrasive enough to remove the fuzz without changing the shape of my carving.

Bob

[Mottles]

Thanks Bob, will look into tupelo and Jelutong haven't used either one for carving. I've got some cottonwood and aspen to try power carving.

Will try your scotchbrite pad method and see how that works for me.
Thanks again,
Kathy

[susieq]

Hi Mottles,
The Typhoon bits and the kutzall bits are the bits that you rough with.... the fuzzing doesn't really matter at that point. As you work your way down to smaller, smoother bits, the fuzzing will be a lot less. I work my way down through the ruby and diamond bits and then sand with a sanding mandril through several different grits of sand paper.....starting with 220 then 320 and 400. I do this before texturing, such as hair on a beard......there will be little stray fuzz and such after the texturing. I clean them out with a bit that is a brush wheel.....fairly stiff, run forward and backward to clean it all out.

Power carving is great, but it's no shortcut contrary to what a lot of nonpower carvers think..... I probably spend as much time if not more, on a piece than traditional gouge carvers do.....not knocking gouge carving at all here....that is where I started and I love it still.
susieq

[Marc Barger]

What's a chisel?

[Mottles]

Hi susieq, thank you for your information very much appreciated. I have several bits that came with my Foredom. In looking at the accessory catalog that came with it--I have a couple Typhoon bits. Don't know about the kutzall bit. Right now I'm working on a duck relief which at this point is gouge work. But do hope to use some power on the background foilage and duck. Thank you for the sanding information too. I know I have a lot to learn and hope at some point I can share as you all have done.
Thanks again,
Kathy

[Mottles]

Originally Posted by Marc Barger

What's a chisel?

LOL Mark
Kathy