confused - starter set of chisels.

[Clinton1]

Hey all,
I'm going to get into carving next year - won't have the means to do any other wood work, and need to do something to keep sane. I think its a good opportunity to spend a year learning to carve. I have some books and pattern books lined up - but selecting the chisels is a bit confusing.
I'll focus on relief carving.

I don't want to spend the $ that Pfeil sets sell for - i.e. 6 for @ $190 - I'm too tight to start out like this.
I don't want to buy tools that are cheap and nasty, and a waste of $.

I can get a set of old Marples for $75, old Stanleys for $55. Both are pretty much the basic 6" set of and in good conditions with well fitting handles:
a 3/8" 60° parting tool
a 5/8" #5 gouge
a 3/8" #7 gouge
a 3/8" #3 gouge
a 1" #3 gouge
For an extra $25 - 30 each I can get a larger Dastra/dystra or Addis Parting tool and Gouge for roughing out.
Total cost $130 - $115 (@$16 each if averaged)

Other options are the $140 + postage, Henry Taylor 6 x basic set, sold by Lee Valley. From there it seems to start to move into the $40+/each tool range.

Does anyone think I'd be throwing my $ away by taking the $75 or $55 set and adding a few larger chisel? Are there good reasons for starting with the Pfeil set + 2 x roughing chisels at around $270 (:eek: ).

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Ivan in Oz]

G'day Clinton,
While I was at the USQ the other Day,
I had a go at that "Horse" thing one sits on, and does 'Whittling' with this BIG Draw knife.
I shall have to learn to pull properly :eek:
with the Draw Knife

I found it quite therapeutic,
first time I had tried it, and I liked it.

Was it AndyMac, or Rowan; who has Design for the HORSEs?
You might consider that :confused:

Ivan

[Wood Butcher]

Clinton,
I have a Marples set of chisels and they are good. They don't hold an edge as good as the new pfeil or hirsch, but they sharpen well and are comfortable to use.

[schaf]

Hi Clinton,
Phiel and Ashley Isles are very good.Hirsh I have found need to be sharpened when you get them home.
The starter kit you mention sounds good and you can add to your kit as the need arrives. I think that this is the best way to go.
I suggest that you check ebay. Go to chisels/collectables and keep a eye on things.
At the moment there are Ashey Isles listed for sale but they are brand new and I think over priced.If you keep looking at ebay you can find some very good chisels at the right price. Remember to calucate in the price of postage when you bid.
have fun with your carving
Regards Terry

[ozwinner]

Start with the best and go with what you pfeil is right, if you buy the wrong set it will hirsch your wallet and put you off carving.

I would go with the Pfeil.
There is nothing more annoying than having a blunt carving chisel its something I can hardley Stanley.

Al

[Andy Mac]

Hi Clinton,
You were saying the other day about the style of carving you're interested in, mainly an architectural frieze in relief. A drawknife and shaving horse isn't the setup for that!:eek:
I think a starter set like you mention, especially at that price, although my Marples set is nothing to write home about. Add a few specialist gouges for relief work: I'd look at Pfiel (despite the $hock to the wallet), and suggest a skew for cleaning into corners; a deep flute like a #11; a short bent shaft gouge, like their 7a's (frustrating not to be able to get in and work the bottom of a pocket) and maybe even a fishtail, although that's a bit of a luxury. Carba-Tec have an online selection page, you can certainly go through some money quickly at $40-45 each!!
Don't forget to buy a sharpening setup, carving isn't pleasurable with dull tools!

Cheers,

[steck]

Hi Clinton. It could be worth having a look at http://www.mcjing.com.au/woodworking/index.htm.
Their set 3013 Attachment 29062 was recommended to me by Karl Lutz, a master carver.
I have one Pfeil no 9 which is great to use.
I also have a set of flexcut blades and handle in a roll which I love for finer detail work.
Attachment 29063
I use a diamond sharpening "stone" and a leather wheel on a drill for final honing.

[Clinton1]

Ivan - I like the shaving horse and using the drawknife, but I've settled on carving. Nice alternative solution though. Andy has the Horses.

I'm thinking of using my drill and a buff wheel for the polishing part of sharpeining, and using slips and a stone for the rest.

Some good points, I think I'll go with the old Marples and the extra dystra/addis tools, then add as I go. Logically I just cannot justify the $40+ each tools.

Thanks all.

[Lignum]

Clint the Pfeil "amature" series are exactly the same as the main ones but only shorter and about 10 bucks cheaper per chisel. The Pfeil hold their edge extreamly well, highly recomended