Post #247465 by 4WDtiki on Mon, Aug 7, 2006 7:02 PM

I have read the "Tools carvers use" thread, but am still unsure on what tool(s) I want.

I've been getting by just fine with the limited tools I have had for the several years I've been carving tikis. Chainsaw (my ONLY tool for a while!), and a set of 5 Craftsman flat chisels, 2" - 1/4", plus various sanding and shaving tools. I don't do any small scale carving, it's all 2' to 8' tikis, and all fan palm.

I want to add some detail to my stuff, in the way of tattoo style lines on larger portions of tiki. I've seen several of you carvers do this on your tikis, but I don't know what you all are using. Here's my thoughtful guesses on what might work for me:

Gouges, V-tools, and any other handheld tool used with a mallet. Probably best to start simply. But I do like power, so...

Router. I don't know if this is an out of the box idea, but it works well in my mind. A carpenter I work with suggested a palm-style router, vs. the normal two-handed type.

Some sort of handheld power tool on a flexshaft. I'm not clear on these, or even their name!

I want to be able to carve a curving line about 1/2" wide and 1/2" deep, although those dimensions are up in the air until tried. What's the best way? What works for you, and why?

Your feed back on any of this is greatly appreciated!