I know it is rather random, but I remember a thread where making jerky was discussed so I figured there must be woodsmen around!
An idea struck me today and now I think it would be really great to make something out of wood as a present. I'm not at all good at crafts and I'm guessing this would be a one-off thing, so I think simple suggestions that do not require acquiring dedicated tools would be best. Maybe that is too limiting and I should try to think of another idea - I do not expect to make anything amazing but I think the thought and the effort I put in will be appreciated (and the theme of being wood will make sense).
Some woods are softer and easier to work. Is there a particular type of wood that is easy to acquire that I could try carving with a knife, for example? Where could I buy some suitable chunks of wood? I know balsa wood is extremely light, so I figure it would be easy to work but maybe it is not dense enough to make something out of (other than for model airplanes etc.).
If there are any experts reading this, excuse the extreme noobishness.
Ivo.
Wood carving tips (I am a noob but want to make a present)
Re: Wood carving tips (I am a noob but want to make a present)
I'm no expert by any stretch, but I used to whittle while camping, and my mom took a course. A folding pocket knife with a small sharp blade will do just fine, tho if you're doing something big, a whittling knife (big handle, small blade) is much more comfortable to use, and it's shape makes small details easier to carve. If you're doing lots of details, a carving knife with interchangeable blades of different shapes might be worthwhile. It's important to use wet, freshly cut wood. As soon as it dries a certain amount it gets much harder to carve. If you're spending a few days at it, wrap it in a damp towel and then plastic it up to keep the wood workable. Around here we have lots of Aspen trees which are soft and easy to carve.
This stuff isn't anything we've tried, just heard about. Cottonwood bark is very easy to carve detailed patterns into. I hear Basswood is the best - you can buy it at craft stores tho I never tried it. It's probably soft enough that it carves easily even dried. I think balsawood is different than basswood, tho they're probably both suitable.
I've always liked the 3D wood-grain relief effect of acid-etched wood carvings and signs, tho I've never been able to find strong enough acid to do it. I didn't look very hard. If I was going to try carving again I'd carve it fairly rough and unfinished, sand it all smooth making sure the wood grain was right to acid etch the entire surface. I'm not so good with fine details and that would make the carving look cool without me needing to do much finishing.
This stuff isn't anything we've tried, just heard about. Cottonwood bark is very easy to carve detailed patterns into. I hear Basswood is the best - you can buy it at craft stores tho I never tried it. It's probably soft enough that it carves easily even dried. I think balsawood is different than basswood, tho they're probably both suitable.
I've always liked the 3D wood-grain relief effect of acid-etched wood carvings and signs, tho I've never been able to find strong enough acid to do it. I didn't look very hard. If I was going to try carving again I'd carve it fairly rough and unfinished, sand it all smooth making sure the wood grain was right to acid etch the entire surface. I'm not so good with fine details and that would make the carving look cool without me needing to do much finishing.
Last edited by Anapan on Fri Mar 04, 2011 4:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Wood carving tips (I am a noob but want to make a present)
CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
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Re: Wood carving tips (I am a noob but want to make a present)
@CRTGAMER:
That's cheating. Tho a chainsaw is acceptable.
That's cheating. Tho a chainsaw is acceptable.
Re: Wood carving tips (I am a noob but want to make a present)
Anapan wrote:@CRTGAMER:
That's cheating. Tho a chainsaw is acceptable.
Same place as the Dremel. Home Depot. Free scrap wood at the cutoff saw.Ivo wrote:Some woods are softer and easier to work. Is there a particular type of wood that is easy to acquire that I could try carving with a knife, for example? Where could I buy some suitable chunks of wood? I know balsa wood is extremely light, so I figure it would be easy to work but maybe it is not dense enough to make something out of (other than for model airplanes etc.).
CRT vs LCD - Hardware Mods - HDAdvance - Custom Controllers - Game Storage - Wii Gamecube and other Guides:
CRTGAMER Guides in Board Guides Index: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p1109425
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mjmjr25
Re: Wood carving tips (I am a noob but want to make a present)
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, if you think you may do this for any prolonged period of time, avoid any cheap or even mildly cheap woodcarving tools.
I use "Two Cherries" for all my chisels and mallets.
For most larger cuts, you'll want a dedicated miter saw blade, you can get by w/a 80 tooth midrange blade by diablo or dewalt, etc, but if you plan on doing this again, long term - spend the money up front and get a blade by "Forrest". Just remember to swap out the blade to a cheapo blade anytime your cutting rougher materials (thick boards, plywood, laminate flooring, stuff like that).
Balsa wood is great for beginning and getting a feel for working wood, but your end product is gonna look best in the bathroom if you know what I mean.
As a rule, your softer woods are going to be easier to work for sure, but they tend to "fuzz", and are easily dented/dinged and just not as pretty overall (though there are some nice grains/colors). Plus in a humid environment they will wick moisture which causes discolorations, etc (unless you plan to finish/seal, then not an issue).
I use "Two Cherries" for all my chisels and mallets.
For most larger cuts, you'll want a dedicated miter saw blade, you can get by w/a 80 tooth midrange blade by diablo or dewalt, etc, but if you plan on doing this again, long term - spend the money up front and get a blade by "Forrest". Just remember to swap out the blade to a cheapo blade anytime your cutting rougher materials (thick boards, plywood, laminate flooring, stuff like that).
Balsa wood is great for beginning and getting a feel for working wood, but your end product is gonna look best in the bathroom if you know what I mean.
As a rule, your softer woods are going to be easier to work for sure, but they tend to "fuzz", and are easily dented/dinged and just not as pretty overall (though there are some nice grains/colors). Plus in a humid environment they will wick moisture which causes discolorations, etc (unless you plan to finish/seal, then not an issue).