[cseymour]

Hi All,
Am new to woodcarving and to this group. Can anyone recommend any good reference material for getting started? I have a Dremel 400 XPR with the flexishaft attachment.

Would be interested in hearing about good starter projects, patterns, books, etc.

Any and all assistance / recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

.

Chris

[BobT]

An excellent place to start is to buy Frank Russells video, Fur, Feathers, and Fins. Even if you don't want to carve a Rabbit, Duck or Fish, it presents excellent instruction in power carving techniques, bit choices, and texturing. I think most people spend a lot of money on bits they don't need, and probably never use. I did. If you choose to carve in a smaller scale, follow the instruction but buy the same bits in a smaller size. This video is available in many places that sell carving tools and supplies. If you can't find it, please let us know. This is the clearest, highest resolution instructional video I have ever seen. Very professionally done.
Bob

[GabrielT]

I agree on the videos already mentioned. If you are going to do relief carving, Laura Irish has a few very good books, Landscape and Wildlife are two that can be adapted to your power carving and both have some wonderful paterns to get you started.

Another source of information are the training DVD's from SCM. While geared towards their high speed engravers, they are worth the look as they will give you ideas and techniques for using a rotary carver. The Ultra Carver web site (owned by SCM) has better deals on videos than the regular SCM site for some reason. Same videos but less money. They are all very well done.

When looking at books, be careful as some books that appear under many companies Power Carving section have nothing to do with power carving for some reason. Carving Wolves Coyotes and Foxes is a good example. Some list it as a book on power carving but it has nothing to do with power carving at all. A great book and worth the cost if you carve canines but not for power carvers.

GT - Still wandering around the Green Mountains

[susieq]

Bob is absolutely right...
Frank Russell is a fantastic teacher for power carvers. I was lucky enough to take two classes with him when I first started power carving. If you don't have access to the man himself, DVDs are the next best thing and you will learn which bits you really need and for what. Learning to use the tool properly whether gouge carving or power carving, is half the battle. Welcome to power carving and best wishes

[cseymour]

Thanks all for the replies. I will definitely look to add that to my library.

Thanks again to all who replied.

.

Chris

[DAPHNE FRY]

Hi folks, my husband wants to make fancy furniture and dragged me along to a Woodworkers Show where I saw a guy power carving and thought wow i'd like to have a go at that. My hubby bought me a Dremel and heaps of bits but now where do I start.

[susieq]

Welcome to power carving Daphne,
I started with a Dremel too. I hope you got one with a flex shaft attachment as it is really great for control. Trying to hold the motorized thing in your hand and control the unit while carving would be very difficult. Yes, I know this is obvious to some folks but I have seen people try to carve that way and get discouraged very quickly.

You need to buy some decent carving bits too. the ones that come with the Dremel are useless for the most part. There are many good carving suppliers on line to buy from. But before you buy a bunch of bits you need to find out which ones do what. So, if there is no carving group near you then buy some books or better yet, the videos by Frank Russell. He is a well known power carver and teacher. His books and videos will give you a pretty good idea of what different bits do. It will also help you pick a first project.
Good luck with your carving.

[lindabb77]

HI, I have a battery operated dremel #750-wonder if there is a flex shaft attachment made for it, thanks, linda

[Doug Ridley]

Daphne and Cseymour. A good beginner power carving project is a Cypress knee Santa. I have a little tutorial on a beginner project. If interested send me a private message with your e-mail address or e-mail me at dnmridley@bellsouth.netDoug