Post #228764 by NLAlston on Wed, Apr 26, 2006 8:14 AM

Thanks to everyone, for the warm welcome - and valuable advice. I can readily see that this is the place to be, and I have no doubt that much will be learned from being a member here. In my initial post I stated that I had no experience in woodcarving, and that it is true when it comes to 'real experience'. I can remember, many years ago, when I took a couple of double-edged razor blades; stiffened the one edge by taping folded matchbooks around it, and carving an african mask out of a piece of 2"x3" pine. I wound up with a couple of minor cuts, but the little mask came out (surprisingly) quite nice, for my first and only attempt at carving - especially considering the tool used. I, in fact, sold the piece (not for much, at all, but it meant something that someone thought enough of it to buy it).

A power-chisel has also been mentioned, here, and I (some time ago) had purchased an inexpensive Ryobi unit for our oldest daughter, that I plan to try out once it is located (haven't been able to zero in on it since we moved to our new home. But I know that it is here - somewhere). It will be a while, but I am definitely looking into some hand chisels, and a carving knife also. The reciprocating head, for my Foredom, is on the list, too.

This is going to open up a whole new avenue of woodworking for me, and I intend on getting started just as soon as I can get out to purchase myself a good respirator. I read, just recently, where someone mentioned a 'powered' respirator - which seemed to work very well, for that post's author, and I will see about one of those.

Once again - I appreciate you all.