Thread: Electronic chisels

G'day John

I have seen these tools too, even Arbortech has their own version. I guess if you are full of arthritis or just plain weak and have trouble handling traditional tools and methods, these pneumatic jackhammers would come in handy. Although I feel they would be rather restrictive in their application.

As a woodcarver I reckon I can move 100 times more timber in 1/10th of the time one of these tools can, and with a lot more accuracy. I guess like the Symtec lathe, they have their place in the scheme of things. But I'm not exactly sure where that is.

This is just my traditionalist and slightly bigoted view. There are probably many who would disagree with me.

Cheers - Neil

PS Sorry about the fire I would insure too after that.

Did someone pass a law stating that hand tools must be discarded once power tools are available to replace them?

Hi all...

I am very interested in including some power because my hands are full of arthritis..I am 34 and can only carve minutes at a time before my hands seize up solid... I love carving for stress relief but it is very hard to do sometimes. Any additional info is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
Mike

Captaincrash demonstrates there is a need for power carvers.
But for able bodied people they are just another toy intended to separate us from our money.

The power tool versions of many hand tools really aren't as effective as the old fashioned tools and this is one example.

But that said I'll keep my thicknesser, phooey on hand planes for general work.

Hi Bob,

I should have mentioned that as long as I can hold a knife or chisel in my gnarled arthritic hand, I will do it the old fasioned way..... I just have to think there will be days I may need some help from electricity......better than retiring from woodcarving ??

I dont know but the vibrations from a high tech gadget might do more damage than the knives??

Maybe I should stick with the old ways....

Mike

My wife (Wendy) is very keen to get into wood carving/sculpting. She is being taught by a 79 yo gentleman, who is restricted to using an electrical mini "jackhammer". I thus thought this may be the way to go for Wendy? She at best can be impatient, thus speed is what she wants. If, Ubeaut, what you are saying would apply to Wendy, then maybe I am researching the wrong avenues.

I have been looking at either a Dremel or a Archiever machine and had been favouring a Dremel, because of it's higher speend range. I was then going to get the "jackhammer" attachments and set Wendy free from there.

However, you have all placed a big question mark over this plan.
Where do I go from here?
What is the most efficient way to carve?
What is the quickest way to carve?
If hand carving tools are the way to go, then what would Wendy need to get started? She wants to predominantly carve smaller figurines of the human body. Detail is not of the essense (too impatient for that).
I would say that she'd be using softer woods (again speed).

Any suggestions, help, or offerings of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Steve

Gooday,

Tools for carving was discussed not long ago.

Do a search with carving tools or chisels.

steve
depending on what size figurines your wife wants to make
you might like to try whittling
i make small people approx 75mm high
all i use is a carving knife (pfiel - $25)
any sharp pocket knife will do

please note
knives are sharp and cut well
especially soft flesh
be careful

cheers
multinut

For whittling small figures I use a "Case Ol Whittlin Buddy" jack knife to rough my carvings out and finish with a small homemade carving knife... Thats it, nothing special.... once you get the knack it will be as quick or quicker than carving with power. For a good start get her some basswood to practice on . I tried balsa when I started and it doesnt carve well, maybe too soft??

On the flesh carving topic......get her a protective glove and thumb guard!!

Mike

Originally Posted by RFNK

Did someone pass a law stating that hand tools must be discarded once power tools are available to replace them?

Yep, they sure did......Did you miss it ??

Just an observation from a beginner re electric chisels. I bought an Arbortech one from the Perth Wood Show a couple of years ago. I've carved two rocking horses by hand. I bought the elec chisel partway thru the second one, I found it to be quite rough, used it on jelutong and it tended to take chunks out even tho I didn't go very deep into the wood, rough on the hands too. My brother carves little seals and other creatures out of timber with a disposable stanley knife and they are really nice.. Just a girls point of view re elec chisel, I'd stay with the hand chisels/gouges myself.
Good on ya for having a go.

Kath

Electric chisels

I find them very useful, especially to remove old stud adhesive when re plastering.

Precision work – try some thing else.

Regards,

Theva