Shannon,
I actually have one, but it is all videoed at about bench height - you would not want to see what is stacked around the shop below bench level. But, yes... I will get one on the site eventually.
Can you explain why the basic starter set of gouges recommended in the PDF is a good starter set? Also why the choices for the optional set. I apologize if you have covered this somewhere already but I'm curious what the thought process was behind these specific sweeps and sizes.
Hmmmm. Interesting question. The answer could go several ways. They are simply my favorite tools??? They are the ones I have discovered through the years to be the most useful with no specialty gouges (spoon bent, etc). These are the ones I grab off the shelf and use as my own "standard" set. Purchasing a "basic" set of tools can get very expensive if the numbers go to 10 or 15 if you are just testing out woodcarving as a possible hobby - that is why I tried to limit it to a smaller number to start. The basic set can get you started with MOST relief carving.
The v-chisel is used quite often. The #3 gouges are used often for basic backgrounding, and also quite a lot of the shaping in the carving itself. Then I filled in a variety of curved gouges that I use quite often in basic shaping.
The optional set is if you are wanting to get into more variety of carving, and if you decide that this is truly something you want to invest more money and tools in. I have seen too many people who buy a set of 20 to 30 gouges at the start (hundreds of dollars worth) and discover that it is not something the really want to persue - those are the ones where you get some great deals at garage sales! This optional set is also tools I took from the more advanced videos shown on the site, so if you were wanting to try carving the projects from each video, you would have all the tools required (I may have to update this as I add videos, but not by much).
Can you explain why the basic starter set of gouges recommended in the PDF is a good starter set? Also why the choices for the optional set. I apologize if you have covered this somewhere already but I'm curious what the thought process was behind these specific sweeps and sizes.
Hmmmm. Interesting question. The answer could go several ways. They are simply my favorite tools??? They are the ones I have discovered through the years to be the most useful with no specialty gouges (spoon bent, etc). These are the ones I grab off the shelf and use as my own "standard" set. Purchasing a "basic" set of tools can get very expensive if the numbers go to 10 or 15 if you are just testing out woodcarving as a possible hobby - that is why I tried to limit it to a smaller number to start. The basic set can get you started with MOST relief carving.
The v-chisel is used quite often. The #3 gouges are used often for basic backgrounding, and also quite a lot of the shaping in the carving itself. Then I filled in a variety of curved gouges that I use quite often in basic shaping.
The optional set is if you are wanting to get into more variety of carving, and if you decide that this is truly something you want to invest more money and tools in. I have seen too many people who buy a set of 20 to 30 gouges at the start (hundreds of dollars worth) and discover that it is not something the really want to persue - those are the ones where you get some great deals at garage sales! This optional set is also tools I took from the more advanced videos shown on the site, so if you were wanting to try carving the projects from each video, you would have all the tools required (I may have to update this as I add videos, but not by much).
Thank you for your quick responses. I am impressed.
When the edge of a petal tucks under another petal, the edge becomes so thin, pointy and fragile that a point often tears out. I have been able to repair this by defining the edge a bit deeper then smoothing it, adjusting adjacent petals accordingly. So in woodcarving we do, sometimes, get a do-over!
By the way, is the sweep number scheme you are using for your tools the "English" (or "Henry Taylor") or that used by Pfeil. For example, I have a #3 14mm Pfeil Swiss tool with the exact sweep as my 1/2" #4 Henry Taylor! I know this is not important because 3s and 4s are so close as to be interchangeable in practice, but I am curious.
Charles, if the petal edges become too fragile or sharp, you may be carving (or scooping) out at too much of an angle when you are lowering down the petal. It might be a good idea to make sure the angle that your are carving is about a 45 degree angle on the tiny petals, and you can go at a steeper angle on the larger petals.
I generally refer to the Pfeil Swiss sweep or the Dastra brand. The companies do try to stay consistent, but some brands do vary slightly. The Stubai (Austrian) fishtails run very flat. So a Pfeil #3 would be a Stubai #4. This is why, even thought I list the tools used in a project, I try to not lock in to an "exact" tool needed for a particular cut. I generally am pretty flexible, as they do tend to vary. I think one of the most valuable things to learn about gouges is to learn to make them work in flexible ways.
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