Thread: Beginner - Carving Flowers

I've recently purchased one of these (Flexcut Carving Jack) and I reckon it would do most of what you want especially the carry it bit.

You can get them from Carbatec at www.carbatec.com.au for $199.

HH.

Welcome to the forum by the way, hope you enjoy the advice and the banter.

HH.

Thank you so much!

Is that the best starting set?
Will that allow me to carve a full piece? I don't need any other equipment?
Should I go for:

http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/ind...80_12000_19224

I'll be able to take them around with me.

Also what type of wood is the best to use?

hi
see Pfeil thread
also l like useing rotary tools
arbotec ,goes on your grinder ,for larger removel of wood
Dremel , for detail
100 mm sandind disc ,goes on your grinder ,good for shapping the work
and lots of sand paper
if you are doing it inside use the chisel more ,there is going to be a lot of dust
a chainsaw for larger bits

Originally Posted by SPIRIT

hi
see Pfeil thread
also l like useing rotary tools
arbotec ,goes on your grinder ,for larger removel of wood
Dremel , for detail
100 mm sandind disc ,goes on your grinder ,good for shapping the work
and lots of sand paper
if you are doing it inside use the chisel more ,there is going to be a lot of dust
a chainsaw for larger bits

I don't have a grinder
Was prefering to just use manual items.
I'm not a fan of using machines, plus can't really use one in my room.
Thanks for the tips tho. Will check out that thread:

A few questions about that thread - should I get the Flexcut recommended above or start with a #8 Pfeil?

jack knife not cheap could use a standard carving knife like the one underfoot made ,u may want to get a glove as well useing the jack knife in one hand and holding the wood in the other can lead to putting u of carving with one slip

Originally Posted by SPIRIT

jack knife not cheap could use a standard carving knife like the one underfoot made ,u may want to get a glove as well useing the jack knife in one hand and holding the wood in the other can lead to putting u of carving with one slip

Agreed I bought a glove with mine, also from carbatec pretty cheap considering it'll save you cutting a big chunk out of your hand.

HH.

K so glove to protect hands - check.
Just need to decide whether to get the Pfeil #8 or the Jack-Knife.

Welcome Vascariz and happy carving. Most Pines are good to start carving with, radiata the peasant, Huon Pine the king. That's if you don't want to spend most of your time learning how to sharpen your tools as you may using most Australian wood as there hard on tool edges. Keeping in mind what you want to achieve, a scroll saw maybe the ticket to getting the basic shape of say the petels and think also about a strategy of how your going to hold the delicate shapes while you carve them.

He is something to aspire to: (they are carved from wood, then painted)
Attachment 50319

Attachment 50320

Hi, and welcome to woodcarving, for what it is worth I would recomend the Flexcut toolkit which contains about 9 or 10 blades and a handle that they fit in, this is all in a small tool roll and is very easy to carry round, its also cheaper than the multi tool, from memory its about $167 and I think its product no. is SK 107 From Carbatech. I used to start most of my students of with this set, a; it is very good value. b; in the handle the blades are proper albeit small gouges therefore you are carving properly from the beginning, ( I had one student do a couple of sections copied from a Grinling Gibbons floral piece with this set and very succesfully too ). Coupled with this set I would recomend that you get a couple of surgical scalpel handles and some blades from an art supply shop ( about $20 allup), and a coping saw ( fretsaw) from your local hardware all these are low tech hand tools but economical and you will continue to use them for many years even when you have bought lots of other goodies. For timber I agree with Huon Pine but dont go near anything else called pine, also as a beginner look at Jelutong or white beech, you can probably get smallish pieces from your nearest woodturning center of which your closest is probably in Brookvale. Hope this helps somewhat and remember, above all else, enjoy!