Question. Decent wood chiesel set for carving puppet heads.

This is the place for Technical Tips, Questions and Answers.

Question. Decent wood chiesel set for carving puppet heads.

Postby milly » 01 Nov 2016, 18:34

Hi,

sorry to ask a question which is most likely in previous posts on here but have limited time this week on computer.
I am after a quality set of chiesels either set or indiviual ones which come pre sharpened as I have read not all do.
If indiviuals what are the main ones I would need.

Many thanks
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up yum.
milly
Chipolata
Chipolata
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 31 Oct 2015, 00:43

Re: Question. Decent wood chiesel set for carving puppet hea

Postby Chris » 02 Nov 2016, 22:29

Milly, you will have to learn to sharpen your chisels. Even though you may buy chisels already sharpened - they usually are - they quickly lose their edge. This varies with the type of wood you are carving but the secret of all carving is the keep your tools sharp. So learning to sharpen your chisels really is essential.

As for the type of chisels to choose - well this depends entirely on what you intend to carve - what size heads?

You can buy sets of carving chisels and these will be called "Carving" chisels and will be made up of small section gouges and vee-shapes and are intended for decorative carving, often relief carving. These are nice to have and do prove useful on occasion. But if you are carving Punch heads which are generally fairly large then you will probably be better getting a couple of flat woodworking chisels, (those called firmer chisels if you work with the mallet, or those called paring chisels if you largely work without striking the chisel) perhaps half inch, inch and inch and a half - and then add only a couple of small gouges and corner chisels for detail work.

I think it is generally better to buy just a couple of chisels, and then gradually add to them as you find you need them - rather than buying a "set" in the first place. Also please buy the best you can afford - a cheap chisel is a waste of money, and a very cheap chisel can be dangerous. Buy a reputable make.

Many people cheat by doing a lot of the basic shaping with a bandsaw, or a wood rasp, and use something like a dremel drill for detailed work.

Some carvers use a knife or knives, and employ a chipping technique, I never do.

Or why not email or private message Miraiker and see what she suggests. She's carving all the time.
It's good to squawk!
Image
User avatar
Chris
Site Admin
 
Posts: 3289
Joined: 05 Jul 2006, 11:13
Location: North Wales

Re: Question. Decent wood chiesel set for carving puppet hea

Postby milly » 02 Nov 2016, 23:49

Thank you very much for the information Chris, I shall get on the case at the weekend. Again many thanks.
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up yum.
milly
Chipolata
Chipolata
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 31 Oct 2015, 00:43

Re: Question. Decent wood chiesel set for carving puppet hea

Postby Miraiker » 07 Nov 2016, 19:06

That is an excellent answer, Chris.
I am currently helping, via email, a friend in France to take the first steps to carving their own puppets. It's an interesting experience. I would be pleased to pass on anything that I have learned through experience to anybody wanting to make their own. It would be great to see pictures of their efforts.
Who'd want a proper job?
User avatar
Miraiker
Big Banger
Big Banger
 
Posts: 298
Joined: 08 Aug 2006, 19:28
Location: Claydon, Suffolk

Re: Question. Decent wood chiesel set for carving puppet hea

Postby Timboo » 02 Apr 2017, 17:48

Well five months on or so and has there been any lost fingers or ears?
Or do we have a lot of carved puppet heads already being used?
Timboo
Weenie
Weenie
 
Posts: 6
Joined: 23 Apr 2014, 01:24


Return to Punch Workshop

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests

cron