Thread: Total Noob

FC, have you got a pic of what you want? Could you get a scaled drawing to transfer to the SO? Your tool list is alright, maybe a coping saw as well.
Is the SO near to the finished size, thickness required?

Give it a lash and have fun learning

Unless you have a very special talent for it, constructing the 3d object in your mind and carving it without any reference will be very difficult.

Your best bet is to build a rough model first, out of clay, gypsum, wire and paper, whatever, making sure that the size fits the block of wood you want to use You might find then that what you have is not suitable and you need to find another one or change design. Then you can check with a ruler/caliper/eyeball/whatever while carving to ensure that you remain on track. Start where there is a lot of waste to take away so you can experiment with the various tools before tackling the areas where there is less room for mistakes. A small gouge and a knife would be very useful, I would almost say essential. Just buy cheap ones already sharpened to see what they can do, then if you are hooked you can buy more and better.

Good luck!

FC, have you got a pic of what you want? Could you get a scaled drawing to transfer to the SO? Your tool list is alright, maybe a coping saw as well.
Is the SO near to the finished size, thickness required?

"SO"?

Trying to do some sketches of it now.

SO = Silky Oak, as I am very lazy

The timber is about a metreish long by 20cmish, so I can just lop off a chunk to my wanted size.

Heyyyyy. I could make a snowman! Never thought of that before.

One trick I was taught back in school worked well if you're using a dressed block. ie. squared off into a cuboid.

• On the top, front and one side draw the plan, elevation and side views of your piece. Make sure they're correctly aligned to each other.
• Use a bandsaw on one side to cut the sketched shape. (eg. The plan)
• Reattach the offcuts with dabs of hot-melt glue, double-sided tape or similar.
• Turn the piece over and cut the next profile. (eg. The elevation)
• Reattach the offcuts again
• Turn the piece and cut the last profile. (in this case, the side view)
• Remove the attached offcuts...
• ... et voila! A roughed shape of the final form.

I found it was easier to get the size and proportions correct this way than it was to try to xfer measurements over from a prototypical model. Not that I've done any serious carving in the decades since I left school ... but if I was to start again, this is how I would make a beginning.

(Of course, this only works if your bandsaw is big enough.)

Yes, Skew, this is a time honoured technique, which reduces but not overcomes the need to think 3d when actually using the tools. According to the top professionals I had the privilege to speak with a long time ago (including Silvio Apponyi, who has the gift and thinks 3d), however, nothing beats the model to get a beginner on the right track. I just humbly related their advice. I should have acknowledged that before... A good way to transfer the picture for bandsawing, digital pictures of a model being available, could be the one I tried and posted as http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=51475 last month.

Good one F&E. Ithink I'll try that

As Skew said this is the best way...as you said you have limited tools, you can still try this technique without a bandsaw and just use a chisel. I have done many carvings with only one chisel over the whoe project.

Originally Posted by funkychicken

Good one F&E. Ithink I'll try that

Sorry, Funky, I was not looking... it took Spoon Man's bump for me to notice.

I just referred to that method to illustrate what Skew suggested, but it could not be the best one for you, actually, if you start from a round log. By the time you dress it down to a square shape from a 200mm radius you get a 141 mm side - you reduce yourself to a very small sculpture. It might be better for you to make a model that fits in a 200mm wide cylinder (easy to check with a rolled up sheet of paper), draw or photo the profile from the top and draw or paste the profile on the flat top of your cylinder. Same principle, different perspective.

Cheers

ok
im not as good as carver as the others here so lm proberly not the the to give advice but l would get that piece of sillky and just start chipping away and just use your minds eye and see where the ride takes you.
well thats it good luck

I like spirits method

Never actually had a plan when I was turning, just made it up as I went along. Carving can't be too different...

any bum can do it with a sharp bit of steel
im a crappy carver and l have never used a bandsaw or stuck paper on the wood ,some times l start to carve not knowing what l am going to finsh up with ,that the fun part ,let the wood be your teacher

Of course, those old rules were only for those who do not have a very special talent for it or for people in school, it obviously does not apply to you two exceptionally gifted people! Did you make square things on the lathe, FC?