Woodcarving
Tools, Materials & Equipment - Volume 1
by Chris Pye
Softcover
210 x 275mm
172pp
Published by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd, East Sussex UK
R.R.P.$39.90
ISBN 1-86108-201-0
This book was originally in one 356pp volume. The new edition has been completely revised, including colour photographs. It has now been split into 2 volumes. The review below is of the single edition version. The contents below is for the new Volume 1.
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 64
There have been a number of new book titles on woodcarving recently and virtually all of them concentrate on woodcarving technique and project ideas. Woodcarving Tools, Materials & Equipment is, however, a very different publication, with over 250 pages on woodcarving tools alone plus another 35 on devices and aids and 40 pages on wood selection. If you have an interest in woodcarving and feel that you should know more about the basics of tools and timber for carving work, then Woodcarving Tools, Materials & Equipment should be fascinating reading and an essential reference.
The section on woodcarving tools begins with a short history and follows on with the development of the Sheffield List, the design and manufacture of a quality carving tool, assessment and correction of faults, function of different styles, care and maintenance, sharpening, selection of mallets, files, knives and other items, and modification of tools for specific applications. Each subject is covered in great detail, yet the text never becomes too technical or uninteresting for the hobbyist carver. The use of appropriate photographs and clear line sketches on almost every page ensures that the reader clearly understands the concepts outlined.
In the chapter on holding devices, there is a survey of the types of store-bought holding devices and other aids available, and also some interesting ideas for homemade items and alternative holding methods.
The last major section deals with the general criteria for the selection of wood for carving. After a quick mention of how wood grows, is cut and then seasoned, there is specific information on warping, splitting, knots, shakes, grain direction, figure, glue-up, durability, decay and pests. A short survey of finishes available completes the book.
Woodcarving Tools, Materials & Equipment is highly recommended as an extensive treatise on the selection and use of woodcarving tools.
Photos: Colour
Contents
Health and safety
Foreword to the first edition
Foreword to the new
edition
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part
1: Understanding Carving Tools
Aims of Part 1
Type of Woodcarving
Tool
Finding your way around
The Sheffield List
Numerical Description
How useful is the Sheffield List?
Using the numbering systems
The
parts of a woodcarving tool
Blades
Quality of steel
The different
shapes and their uses
- Cross section
- Longitudinal section
-
Width
- Length
- Summary
Shoulders
- Function
- Shoulderless
tools
- Correct shape
Tangs
- Function
- Types
- Correct shape
Handles
Overview
Improving bought handles
Shapes and identification
Woods
Ferrules
Making handles
Fitting handles
Removing handles
Finish
Name punches
Carving-Tool Faults and Their Correction
Blades
Shoulders
Tangs
Handles
Selecting
and Buying Woodcarving Tools
Shape and function
- Straight chisels
- Straight skew chisels
- Shortbent chisels
- Shortbent corner
chisels
- Splayed chisels
- V-tools
- Straight gouges
- Splayed
gouges
- Longbent gouges
- Shortbent gouges
- Backbent gouges
Selecting and ordering
- Making the choice
- Selecting the tools
- A suggested starting kit
- Buying by mail order
- Second-hand tools
Innovations in Carving Tools
Flexcut carving tools
The Ray
Gonzalez hooked skew chisel
Cogelow tools
Chinese carving tools
Microtools
Care of Woodcarving Tools
Storage possibilities
- General points
- Tool rolls
- Racks
- Drawers
- Long-term
storage
Bench discipline
Summary
Part
2: Sharpening Woodcarving Tools
Aims of Part 2
Why Carving Tools
Must Be Sharp
Effort
Control
Appearance
Safety
Enjoyment
Principles of Sharpening
Fundamentals
Bevels and cutting
angles
- Function
- The set of the bevel
- Sharpness versus strength
- Bevel angle
- Flatness
- Inner and outer bevels
- Differences
in cutting profile
The cutting edge
- Squareness
- Straightness
- Corners
- Even thickness
The heel
In brief
The secret
of success
Summary
Equipment: Grinders
Overview
Bench
grinders
- Types
- Speed and friction
- Belt grinders
- Summary
- Making a low-speed grinder
- Safety and care of grinders
Equipment:
Oilstones and Strops
Benchstones
- Artificial stones
- Care
of oilstones
- Natural oilstones
Slipstones
- Types
- Altering
the shape
- Care
Strops
- Making a benchstrop
- Care
- Slipstrops
- Summary
The Process of Sharpening
Shaping
and sharpening
Cutting profiles
Basic procedures
- Grinding
- Stoning (honing)
- Slipstoning
- Stropping
- Slipstropping
Individual tools in detail
- Flat chisels
- Skew chisels
- V-tools
- Bent chisels
- Gouges
- U-shape
- J gouges
- Longbent
and shortbent gouges
- Backbent gouges
- Tapered tools
Testing
for sharpness
Maintaining sharpness
- Stropping
- Carving technique
- Storage and care
- Effect of the wood being carved
Pre-sharpened
tools
The sharpening area
Summary
Alternative Sharpening Stones
Waterstones
- Types of waterstone
- Water slipstones
- A starter
kit
- Care and maintenance
- Setting up
- Using waterstones
- Pros and cons of waterstones
Diamond stones
- Types of diamond stone
- Diamond slipstones
- Which stones to use
- Care and maintenance
- Setting up
- Using diamond stones
- Pros and cons of diamond
stones
Ceramic stones
- Types of ceramic stone
- Ceramic slipstones
- Which stones to use
- Care and maintenance
- Using ceramic stones
- Pros and cons of ceramic stones
Electrical
Sharpening Methods
Sharpening machines
- Safety note
Principles
of power honing
- Speed and its hazards
- Wheel shape and size
- Direction of rotation
- Hard and soft wheels
- Types of honing wheel
- Abrasive 'soap' blocks
- Other considerations
How to use a power
sharpener
- Achieving the correct shape
Summary
Metric
conversion table
Photographic credits
About the author
Index