Surplus Mayhem

    

 Exploring a hobby, especially the resources and material that are needed will be very overwhelming. When I started carving wood, I found a lot of information online very one-sided opinion on tools and the material. The hard thing for a person who is “just starting,” the one-sided opinion can be confusing, intimidating, and possibly expensive. I have made the mistake with other ideas in the past overbuying what supplies I thought were needed and then losing interest quickly. I fell victim to the “you have to have in order to be successful.” Which I have learned not to be true and be dangerous. Dangerous in many ways from, being overwhelmed to “where” and “how” to start. I know now that it can limit focus for skill development. Ultimately it risks you from ever wanting to try. In some situation can make a person think “you have to have everything before you can even start,” which to is also not true. Also spending money on things that you don’t use and will take up space. Some people say after buying something “I will get to it eventually,” or “I want to learn,” but it never happens. I learned starting wood carving a lot from tool evolution and investment. A lot from, skills, focus, project need, and versatility to expand what I can make.

    Research on the chisels was not too difficult, however so I thought. When I first tried wood carving growing up, the chisels that I tried felt weird in the hand and were not sharp. At this point all I knew was the chisels needed to be better than “cheap craft ones.” Chisels, however, come in varying sizes, quality, and of course technique with how they are used. Despite all the overwhelming information online, the hardest choice is always making the choice for what’s right for you. I faced the reality to not be intimidated by the overwhelming information, opinions, and the best result is “you have to try.”

    Starting my first project, after I got to the point where “I thought I was finished.” I knew the next step was sanding. I obtained sandpaper and learned quickly that hand sanding is daunting and an arm workout. I also learned that sanding by hand will not take out deep gouge marks in the wood. I knew I needed a different option, which involves electricity. Rotary tool or the brand / common name of Dremel came to my mind. However, they can be expensive. Plus, at this point I wasn’t sure if the hobby would last. Back to exploring my options. I explored and found many different brands and other options. I chose to buy a tool that was located on the low end of the moderate cost. When buying a rotary tool, you also need the bits to be able to use the tool. One thing that sold me on which tool to start with was “does it come with bits.” At this point I did not know my options. The best choice I made was “keep things simple.” You probably have heard the phrase of “you have to start somewhere.” While in the major learning phase of my wood carving adventure it is absolutely relevant. Because the bits that come with the tool give you some place to start.

    The tools came and I proceeded to sand the project. Even with the 60-grit sandpaper, the deep gouge marks don’t come out perfectly. The finishing of a project requires an independent adventure. 

    On occasion you will have people say, improve your tools as your skills improve. Which is true but the question of how do you and what do you improve? I can’t tell you how many rotary tools I have broken in the short three years of wood carving. Was it a waste of money buying so many random brands, probably. However, the money I spent was an investment in learning and experience by using them. You can’t learn what you like and don’t like without giving honest effort. Big rotary tools have more power but also can be hard to hold. Small pen ones can be better for the fine details, but limited power. Despite the adventure and learning for the tool itself, learning the bit attachments takes a lot of work. I found that there are many kinds including carbide bits, diamond bits, stones, rubber, and many more that I probably haven’t discovered yet. The bits that came with my rotary tools had variety from carbide, diamond, and pink stone. Was there every shape and size, no, and to be frank, it’s not needed when starting out. I personally learned there is more value in learning how the tool works, how it cuts the wood. Technique of the tool is hard to explain, and mastery is difficult and requires a lot of investment of time and effort. I still have not mastered this; I have scars on my hands, and I can’t tell you how many times the tool has run on me, which has either ruined or nearly ruined a project.

     As the tools have broken or for whatever reason stopped working, the evolution of tool collection has begun. I have bought different chisels and rotary tools. Battery ones are good but unfortunately can limit your progress when they die. They would always die on me when I am on a roll carving. I bought a corded one. The biggest limitation is the cord gets in the way. I do love the flex shaft that you can buy. It fits better in the hand. I found it helpful to hang the tool up, helps keep it out of the way. I advanced my chisels to the full size one. I found it takes a special technique, and the work piece likes to move. Chisels require a sharp edge on them, and obtaining the edge through sharpening takes a lot of work. Maintaining a sharp edge also takes work. Sharpening is a completely different learning process which I still have little knowledge of how to do. I have done some sharpening on my chisels with little success. I also don’t like repetitive movements required, unfortunately it’s still a necessary evil.

     The most important factor I learned with obtaining the necessary tools is. Focus more on the learning process and skill development more than what tools you need to buy. I have learned that with limited tools help build creativity. I have watched videos that show how to do something. My creativity, problem solving, and skill development improved from one question “how might I do that with the tools I have?” It helped me be adaptable when things happen to my projects unexpectedly.

    The development of my projects has helped me to know what to buy and when. I learned different elements I found difficult, I researched and bought rotary attachments, and bits to help improve my work. I learned focusing more on the tool versatility, with trial and error, makes my desire unstoppable. Because I love what is possible, I just must try.