First shot

[delef]

Well... After finally getting all of my equipment, I have finished my first session of carving today. Man, I did not think it would be as much of a learning curve as it was. I have some questions:
1) I was getting a bunch of kick back with some of my hoggin burrs. No matter what I tried it still occurred. How do I stop that?
2) What is the most practical way with power to retain a flat surface at the base of a relief? My first shot looks like a careful drunk man did it.
3) I have watched the Russell DVDs and read 3 different books on carving and power carving. I am still confused about how to carve properly with the grain, etc.
4) Right now I am carving outside because I have no space and no dust collection system. I am assuming I don't need a system outside. Right?
5) Help, I'm horrible, but addicted!!!!!!!!!

[medicinedog]

Delef, I'm about the same spot as you. Got the tools, and struggling. I think we have to play with it a while and experiment. Others can tell you but I think you have to experiment and find out what works for you. Use the search and look for past posts. SusieQ and others have put a lot of information out there about what you should and shouldn't do. Pay special attention to the safety stuff. Outdoors you still need a either a mask or respirator. I went with the respirator and a pair of goggles. about $50. Also got me a jaw horse - a little more pricey but its going to be worth its weight in gold and pretty mobile. Happy safe carving. Lar

[Claude]

In my opinion, kickback from rotary carvers can happen when carving against the grain, or when trying to carve off too much (too deep) at one pass. Shallower passes made more often will remove wood just as fast as a deep, but slow, pass.

Also, you should wear dust protection even outside. The heavy dust that falls to the ground is not the problem; it's the microscopic particles that are light enough they float around in the air for a while that cause you all the lung problems.

Claude

[delef]

Thanks for the replies.

I am definitely wearing a dust mask and eye protection. I was asking simply about a dust collection system. My glasses seem to be worthless b/c dust keeps getting in. I had gotten them a few years back for protecting when weed wacking. Is there a specific brand of glasses anyone recommends? Also, my dust mask is not the best. I may have to get one of those "dust-be-gone" types.

[davidinsarasota]

If you are getting a lot of dust on your glasses you may be working too close. Inexpensive reading glasses will help you get back from your work and still see. They are not 'safety' plastic, but they are plastic and will deflect most stuff; I use them. If your glasses are fogging up, get something like these:



They have no plastic bar or ridge across the top, so air can flow. Not perfect but the best solution I have found. Smith & Wesson Mini-Magnum Safety Glasses with Clear Lens Also, pinch that metal tab on the top of your mask so that if fits tight around your nose or your breath will fog your glasses.

For smoother action when hogging, do like Claude says, "shallower passes," but also pull against the direction of spin rather than pushing with the spin.

The bit will always buck if it contacts the wood in more than one flat place. Like in a hole or hollow. Slight bucking is ok at slow rpms to widen the hollow, then concentrate on working one side or the other exclusively.

[powermower]

I got my power carving equipment together a couple of months ago & struggled with it, also. I finally took a class at Smoky Mtn. woodcarvers with Keith Dalton. We worked on a class project & learned how to use the different burrs, safety tips & how to deal with dust collection. I would strongly recommend taking a class if you can. Hands on instruction can't be beat.

[susieq]

Nothing beats hands on instruction but if it's not available to you where you are, a good power carving DVD set is the next best thing. Frank Russell put out a set of DVDs a while back. The subject matter is fins, fur and feathers. Don't let that put you of if that's not what you want to carve. The point here is that you see an expert using his tools/bits. You see what bit does what job. You learn how to use your tools. Once you have the hang of using your tools, it's up to you what you carve. I have heard good things about the DVDs.

[oldbearx2]

I have been power carving for over 25 years and still learning. The things that Claude mentioned are definitely the too biggest causes of kick back. In my opinion taking off too much is the biggest one. Not only that it's hard on your tools. As for dust collection you can never have too much. I have a dedicated one horse collector hooked up to my bench, an air cleaner type on the ceiling and also wear a dust mask. Even with all that I still get a very fine layer of dust on my desk. I too am looking at the washable type dust mask. Can't help much with relief as I do all of my animals with power. One other thing to think about is hand protection. I bought one of the new coarse Saburr bits a while back. While carving it kicked back (taking off too much) and ran up my thumb. Ouch!! Those things pack a bite. If you use the more agressive bits wear a pair of good leather gloves. It is a learning curve but slow down, enjoy the ride and you'll see improvement.

[delef]

Wow, thanks for all the encouragement and advice!!

I own the Frank Russell DVDs and have gone through the whole set. They are very informative and I will probably go through them again. Regarding hand protection: I have read in numerous places that wearing hand protection with power is a big "no no" and that it could actually cause more damage then good. I don't know how accurate that information is. Unfortuantely I do not have access to any power carving classes in my area. I hope to keep messing with the tools to get used to them. Thanks again!

[Donsexton]

Dude, this is what a kick back is that involves a free had rotary tool. First the cutting bit walks out of the cut, then the cutting bit gains traction on top of the wood not down in the cut. The bit then runs in the direction of the rotation. If you are carving in a tight spot and you naturally try to correct and control the “kick back” the tool can vibrate violently and twist out of your hands. I recommend leather gloves and shoes with toes no flip-flops careful if you use your lap for a work bench. That “kick back” that you are experiencing is most likely what the others said you are trying to cut too much too fast. I am a power carver as well and what I mean by power carver is I carve fast and aggressive. I carve fast and aggressive with gouges, chainsaws, and all kinds of grinders. Here is another thing that can cause a bit to grab and walk or “kick back” if it is bent and if it is bent you can fix it. If I can help you with any tips just Holla Back.