Power Carving Help

[D'Marie]

I have received the opportunity to learn carving for 10 weekly sessions from a gentleman who does mostly power carving. I have Parkinsons/Dystonia, have three different dremels, and two phantom hands. I can carve(some say beautifully) very small lizards, armadillos and dolls with faces using my faithful and forgiving knives, but not so sure about this power carving stuff! I have a couple of weeks to study up on this and maybe practice, so I don't stand out in the crowd.

Where does one begin and what shall I make as a beginner? The teacher loves and has beautiful walnut for me. D'

[Paul_Guraedy]

Power carving is very much like handtool carving. The basic necessity is tool control. I would suggest that you take a few of the bits that you intend to use, draw a few lines (straight, S curves, etc.) on a board and start by carving one side of the line to make a kind of stop cut. Then take a flame shape and carve down the center of a line to make a groove. Move from straight lines to curves. Once you feel comfortable with the tool, I would do something like a simple Christmas ornament, snowman, bell, etc. - without a lot of detail, remember you are learning more than trying to create a beautiful carving.

[D'Marie]

Thank you , Paul. I'll take your suggestions, gladly. I have some basswood and will practice the bits & lines.
Don't know exactly where Whooping Hollow is, but it sure sounds like a fun place. I have been to Janet (Denton) Cordell's carving lodge a couple of weeks way down in the hollows south of Fayetteville, AR... truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. D'

[Paul_Guraedy]

Janet's place is "just down the road" from here. She is south of Fayetteville and we are east about the same distance. The Ozarks are beautiful as shown in a website that I am almost ready to put with my signature here on WCI. For a preview see

The Guraedy Family

and click on Paul and Diana

[squbrigg]

If you think your knives are forgiving, you are going to love power carving. There are so many positives, I couldn't begin to list them all, so go ahead and give it a whirl. A good selection of burrs is essential, and once you have some time on the tool, you will come to understand your needs more. Power carving is also a great "extra tool" for your usual tool box and you may find that you use both in your carving: edged tools and power tools.

Play with it, have fun learning, but get yourself a dust collector, that's the biggest difference, the way you clean up, chips vrs dust!

Bob

[susieq]

Hi D,
I think you are very brave to start carving walnut.... It's beautiful but hard as a rock. Just know that there is no going "fast" when carving walnut with power. Just let your rpms do the work and tell yourself to take your time with it. I use walnut once in a while to carve an accessory for one of my father Christmas figures....a pipe, a walking stick, etc.... and it makes wonderful bases to mount carvings on. But I have never tackled doing a full sized carving of all walnut. But you are fortunate to have some instruction available to you in power carving. It speeds up your learning process so much to actually see someone doing what you want to do and to pick up tips and helpful hints. I am pretty sure you will love it. Can't wait to see what you do with the walnut. Please post pics....

[Sharon of the Dell]

I'm so happy you guys are sharing the joys of power carving! I love it! It's just as much an art form as other methods and just as valid!

[Rwenzoski]

Hello D'Marie! Ah Black Walnut, my favourite wood, once finished, I find nothing richer in colour & grain but it is a tad hard when carving & you must be carefull with the dust as it will create Tanic Acid if you have it on your skin & start to sweat. Best to have either good dust removal or breathing protection & if you find you react to it wear long sleeves. Some people find it very reactive with their skin also & I haven't had any problem with the exception of sneezing if I get a dose of it. Here are a couple of examples of work with Black Walnut!
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Thanks, Robbin
index

[Keoma]

OOOOOOOH ! How fun for you guys! What an opportunity! Black Walnut is a revered beauty ! I mke a lot of my hair combs with it and spoons are sublime with it!
Best of luck to you! I would love to see pictures of your dolls! (They are my passion to create)
You know, one thing I always wanted to make was an indian (NA) or a Buffalo Soldier, then I really thought of Carving Bob Marley - it was hid song Buffalo Soldier that inspired me. A lighter grain of Walnut would be so ideal. I am still searching for the right chunk of Wood.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with! How fun!

[Paul_Guraedy]

Black walnut! So beautiful a wood. Got to admit I feel a twinge of guilt when I slip pieces of it into the stove and think of the carving possibilities.

Makes me wonder about the fates. There is enough black walnut on the place for me not to ever have to buy wood. When we harvested black walnut a couple of years ago the tops were left in the woods (they only took the boles). But, this wood is limiting as far as my type carving is concerned.

If any of you get into this part of the country, stop by, the tops will be good for a few more years and we'll cut you some chunks to haul home.