Wood Carving Tools & Techniques for Beginners

Summary

In this woodworking video, Bill Anderson from the Woodwright's School in Pittsboro, North Carolina, discusses traditional carving tools used for furniture. He introduces carving gouges and mallets, explaining the importance of the mallet's design for easy striking and angle adjustment. Bill differentiates between joiners and carvers mallets, emphasizing the latter's suitability for intricate carving. He details the sweep and width of gouges, illustrating the English and European numbering systems and their variations. Bill also demonstrates the 'yin and yang' hold for controlled carving and the use of V-gouges for outlining. The video is an insightful guide for selecting and using carving tools effectively.

Takeaways

• 🔨 The video features Bill Anderson at the Woodwright's School in Pittsboro, North Carolina, discussing carving tools for traditional furniture.
• 🛠️ A carver's mallet is introduced as a round tool, often made of brass, useful for striking and changing the angle of the chisel during carving.
• 📏 Joiner's mallets are mentioned as square-faced and angled, intended for heavy-duty work rather than intricate carving.
• ✂️ Out Cannell chisels are shown, with the bevel on the bottom side, suitable for carving, unlike in Cannell chisels where the bevel is on the inside.
• 🔍 The curvature of the chisel, known as the sweep, is discussed, ranging from no sweep (number one) to a U-shaped sweep (number eleven).
• 📏 The width of the chisel is indicated in millimeters and is an important factor in selecting the right tool for a carving project.
• 🏷️ There are two numbering systems for chisels: the English system which includes a skewed chisel, and the European system which starts with a straight chisel.
• 🛠️ Specialty chisels like the bent gouge are introduced for reaching areas with restrictions and starting at steeper angles.
• 📏 The V-gouge is explained as a tool used to block out the outer perimeter or internal design elements of a carving to establish the general shape and depth.
• ✋ The 'yin and yang' hold technique is demonstrated for carving, where one hand pushes the chisel forward while the other pulls back to control the cut.
• 🔨 The importance of the bevel's curve on the gouges for easy entry and exit from the work is highlighted, as opposed to the straight bevel on chisels.

Q & A

What is the purpose of a carver's mallet according to the video?

A carver's mallet is used for striking and changing the angle of the chisel as you work around, making it easy for striking and controlling the chisel's angle during carving.

Why might a joiner's mallet not be suitable for carving?

A joiner's mallet is square-faced and has a slight angle, making it more suitable for heavy-duty work like chopping. It's cumbersome for intricate carving patterns, hence not typically used for carving.

What is the difference between an out cane and an in cane chisel?

An out cane chisel has the bevel on the bottom side of the chisel, outside the curve, which is more suitable for carving. An in cane chisel has the bevel on the inside of the curve and is used more for scribing, coping, and frame and panel work.

What does the 'sweep' of a carving chisel refer to?

The sweep refers to the curvature of the chisel from right to left. Chisels vary in degrees of sweep, ranging from no sweep (straight) to a U-shaped sweep with the highest number indicating the most curvature.

How is the width of a carving chisel indicated?

The width of a carving chisel is indicated on the side of the chisel and is usually expressed in millimeters. It represents the functional width of the chisel rather than the width of the curve.

What are the two numbering systems for carving chisels mentioned in the video?

There are two numbering systems for carving chisels: the English system, which includes a straight chisel and a skewed chisel before the first curved sweep, and the European system, which starts with the first sweep as number two, omitting the skewed chisel.

Why is it recommended to get an impression of a chisel for a carving project?

Getting an impression of a chisel ensures that you select the correct sweep and width for your carving project. It's safer to take these impressions to the tool store to find a matching chisel rather than guessing the specifications.

What is the purpose of a bent gouge in carving?

A bent gouge allows for a steeper start on a piece of work where there might be restrictions at the back. It enables the carver to come in at a steeper angle and work out the design.

How are V-gouges used in carving?

V-gouges are used to block out the outer perimeter or internal design elements of a carving to get the general shape and depth. They are useful for outlining a project before refining with other chisels.

What is the significance of the angle of a V-gouge?

The angle of a V-gouge is significant as it determines its purpose. A steeper V-gouge, like the 60-degree one mentioned, is well suited for outlining a project, while other angles have more specialized uses.

How should one hold and use a carving chisel according to the video?

One should use a 'yin and yang' hold, where one hand pushes the chisel forward while the other pushes back to limit the cut. This method, along with wiggling the chisel, helps control the carving process and achieve smooth cuts without tear out.