Replies

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 02, 2002 04:11am | #1

   Mac

   For gouges I would recomend

   #3- 8mm & 12 or 16mm

   #5- 10 & 16 mm

   #6- 8mm & 12mm

   #8- 12mm

   #9- 8-12mm

   8mm or 10mm v tool

   10mm skew chisel

   back bent gouges 10mm & 12mm #6 & #8 

   also vieners #11  2mm-6mm

     These are the tools I most often use for Newport Shell's and Ball& Claw etc.

   The back bent gouges are very usefull. To view fullsize profiles go to http://www.stubaidirect.com or call 1-888-901-8099 talk to Chris or Mark and tell them Dale from Wisconsin sent you. Flexcut also makes a great tool try http://www.flexcut.com Be prepared to spend a few bucks lower quality tools will just cause frusration.

   Goodluck

   If you have anymore questions E mail me [email protected]     

1. 
   mcafee7 | Aug 02, 2002 11:15pm | #3

          Thanks for the info.  Your advise on quality tools is almost the golden rule with me.  If I'm going to spend my time in the shop, I want to have fun and end up with something worthwhile. I'll hold on to your address if, make that when, I have more questions.

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 02, 2002 11:48pm | #5

   Good luck with your future carvings. As the previous post mentioned Phil Lowe has a tape to help you learn how to carve a ball & claw foot, this is well done. Taunton also has a tape titled carving techniques and projects which covers a scalloped shell. Nora Hall has a newer tape in which she carves a newport shell, there is also a plaster cast availible for a study aid http://www.norahall.com . A nice study aid for a ball & claw foot is a actual leg by Classic Designs by Matthew Burak at http://www.tablelegs.com You can pick up a single leg for about $30 or $40 and get an idea of proportion. Carving is a great skill to learn and can be incorporated in many styles of furniture other than 18th century. It's also addictive, youll see what I mean when you buy your first set of tools and start carving.

   Good Luck

   Dale

2. 
   CoastalCarver | Aug 02, 2002 04:39am | #2

   If you go to Nora Hall's website (norahall.com) she gives a good suggestion for an essential carving kit. Here they are:

   #3 (12mm)

   #5 (6mm)

   #7 (16mm)

   #9 (12mm)

   #11 (3mm)

   #41 (10mm) V-Tool

   #56 (16mm) Fishtail

   With additional tools:

   #3 (4mm)

   #7 (20mm)

   #11 (6mm)

   #24 (6mm) Spoon

   #3 (20mm)

   I just finished a class on Carving a Ball and Claw Foot from Phil Lowe. Phil has a video out that tells which tools you use. Here's the carving tool list from the class:

   * straight chisel 8mm

   * straight gouge #5 12mm

   * straight gouge #5 20mm

   * straight gouge #7 10mm

   * straight gouge #8 10mm

   * back bent gouge #25 10mm

   * spoon gouge #9 10mm

   * carvers mallet

   The back bent and the spoon would not be considered part of a basic set, but if you're going to carve a ball and claw foot you must have them.

   What brands should you buy? Good tools are going to cost you between $25 and $35 each. Bigger sizes or unusual shapes can cost even more. As to brands, everyone has an opinion. I think the best tools are the old (pre-WWII) Shiefield and London tools: Addis, Herring, Ward & Paine, Spear&Jackson, Rbt. Sorby, and others. The problem is they are hard to find in the sizes you need.

   Today, about the only good English maker is Ashley Isles -- my favorite contemporary maker. Daustra (Germany), Stubi (Austria), and Pfiel (Swiss) are also good and have a larger selection of sizes, sweeps, and bends.

   Nora has a toll-free number last time I checked. Call her and see if she has any Chinese tools left. These are hand-made by a guy and his son in China and are a really good buy and very good steel. Tell her Brandon sent you. You should also buy her videos, she is the best European-style carving teacher around. Also get Phil's video if you want to try your hand at Ball and Claw.

   Brandon Ford, Lincoln City, OR

1. 
   mcafee7 | Aug 02, 2002 11:29pm | #4

          Thanks for the reply.  The video sounds like a good place to start before I make a pile of fire wood and learn some new four-letter words!  I'll check them out.