Hand tools for wood carving and power tools. How to make the simplest tools for wood carving with your own hands Wood carving with an electric chisel

1. Definition
2. Types of tools
3. How to do it yourself
4. Chisel from a milling cutter
5. Semicircular chisels
6. We use a file
7. Files
8. Angle chisels

Any craftsman who works with wood has carpentry chisels in his arsenal. This hand tool helps in processing wooden workpieces; a well-sharpened blade of various shapes is used for carving of any complexity. You can purchase ready-made sets of tools; experienced craftsmen prefer to make wood chisels with their own hands - these turn out to be perfectly adapted to a specific carver.

Definition

What is a chisel: this is a professional tool for a carpenter or joiner, which is used to prepare wooden blanks for processing, for chamfering, and applying carving patterns by removing excess layers of wood. The design includes a plastic or more often a wooden handle and a sharpened blade of various shapes.

Types of tools

A wood chisel in different designs helps the craftsman process wooden blanks and decorate products. For these purposes, tools with different blade shapes are used. Types of chisels for wood carving:

The presented types are used by craftsmen in different quantities. Their modifications can also be different: flat can be wide or narrow, angular - wide-angle or narrow-angle, round bend flattened or radial. Ready-made kits contain tools in different configurations, which are not always complete or necessary for a particular master. Therefore, many joiners and carpenters prefer to make chisels for wood carving with their own hands. The quality of work with such devices is no different from using factory tools.

Application for wood carving

Any woodworking professional should know how to work with this tool.

A wide chisel with a straight blade is suitable for primary processing of wooden workpieces. With its help, coarse fibers, knots, and other irregularities are removed. The tool can be used as a chisel to knock out holes using impact pulses.

The device is used to remove chamfers, the ends of narrow edges, and to machine recesses.

The tool is universal in use: it can be held at a right or sharp angle, depending on the desired effect. The lines are drawn by hand or using a ruler; for this it is better to use a metal one.

Curly chisels are used as needed in the same way: the tool is placed on the working surface and excess wood is removed using pressure movements. The impact force will allow you to get deep cuts and clear shapes.

How to do it yourself

Making a quality tool begins with the right choice of materials. For the blade you can take:

• Metal cutter. Among other blanks, this one has sufficient rigidity and holds an edge well.
• Metal drills will become the basis for narrow mini-chisels.
• A semicircle can be easily obtained from a used punch.
• A chisel for corners can be made from any profiled tool.
• The file will also be an excellent source for a carpenter's chisel.
• Needle files become the basis for creating a thin tool.

To make a mini chisel, you can take a small piece of metal as a blank. It is more convenient to create small instruments at home.

For the handle, take a wooden beam. It is much more reliable than plastic, and it sits more confidently in the hand.

On the market you can find forged chisels for wood carving. They are made from durable carbon steel, they are resistant to wear and keep their shape and sharpness longer.

We will look at ways to create professional chisels from scrap materials.

Let's prepare the tool:

1. Metal cutter;
2. Pliers and forceps;
3. A container of water to cool hot metal.

Chisel from a milling cutter

A do-it-yourself chisel is made very quickly using the following algorithm:

In this way you can make straight or beveled mini chisels. Instead of a disk, any part made of durable steel will do.

Metal drill tool

How to make a chisel from a drill is not difficult:

• The end is flattened with an impact load or cut off;
• Give the knife the desired shape. A drill makes excellent marigolds or rivets;
• Using the given algorithm we make a handle.

Chisels from drill are widely used in carpentry practice: they can be made easily and quickly, and most importantly - according to the required, thinnest sizes and shapes.

Semicircular chisels

The most common semicircular chisel for wood carving is obtained from a punch - the workpiece already has the desired shape. All that remains is to cut off the excess metal and sharpen the blade.

How to make a semicircular chisel:

1. Take a punch of the required diameter.
2. Use a saw to cut off the excess part of the radius.
3. While the metal is warm, it can be given the desired roundness, for example, a semicircle can be slightly flattened to obtain a semi-oval.
4. Sharpening the blade.
5. We make a pen.

We use a file

A file chisel is made on a grinding wheel. This is how thick straight cutters and chisels are made. It is necessary to sharpen the file at the desired angle and insert the workpiece into the wooden handle.

If desired, you can turn a corner chisel from a square file. To do this, you need to stock up on a good abrasive for a metal wheel.

Files

A thin needle file will make an excellent tool for cutting any shape. Moreover, you can do it right in the kitchen over the gas stove.

Angle chisels

For their production we use any profile product made of durable steel. Using the methods already described, we cut off the excess metal and sharpen the workpieces at the desired angle.

The tool can also be made by bending a workpiece of any shape, although this is not suitable for cutting hard wood.

Artistic wood carving is a very ancient art form that is still popular today. The fact is that with just a little you can create a real masterpiece with your own hands.

Thread Benefits

Before you start choosing knives or mastering certain craft making techniques, you need to learn about the benefits of this craft. So, among the advantages of threading we can highlight the following:

High quality of finished products, which are in great demand;

Very good decorative qualities of the finished product, which can decorate even the most inconspicuous interior;

You can do carving yourself, and you don’t have to graduate from any educational institution;

The work does not require the purchase of any complex equipment; moreover, you can make wood carving tools yourself.

What tools will be needed for the job?

All devices can be divided into several types: cutting and auxiliary. The first type includes the following:

1. Various knives:

• cutter - used to design a “rosette” or other element that involves the presence of bends;
• spoon - the device is used for cutting out dishes that have a sphere-shaped hole inside (bowls, spoons);
• jamb - this wood carving tool is sharpened so that it has an angle of 30-80 degrees. Most often it is used to apply geometric patterns.

2. Chisels:

• semicircular and sloping - indispensable devices for contour and geometric carvings;
• straight - necessary so that you can clean the workpiece, as well as cut through the contour of the main pattern;
• jamb - this chisel is used for geometric carving;
• corner - used for selecting narrow lines; this chisel is necessary for everyone;
• caesarik - used for cutting into narrow elements on a relief surface;
• cranberry - most often this wood carving tool is used to design relief and flat-relief products.

In addition, you will need other equipment. For example, for the initial processing of a workpiece, you need to purchase sandpaper, scrapers and scrapers, rasps, metal wire brushes, and hammers. You will also need drills and drills, as well as devices for cutting out a particular pattern.

You also need stencils and simple pencils, with which you can transfer the selected design onto a wooden blank.

equipment requirements

All wood carving tools should be of the highest quality. That is, buy those products that are made of durable high-quality steel. Naturally, here it is necessary to give preference to well-known and conscientious manufacturers.

In addition, knives for wood carving, as well as chisels, must be properly and well sharpened. Otherwise, you will simply crumble the workpiece. Of course, you should follow all safety rules while working.

If you do not have the opportunity to purchase tools, then you can make them yourself. For example, knives can be made in just a day. Naturally, this requires work. When doing so, do not forget to consider the types of tools, their sizes and purpose. Low-quality thin steel will not provide the required quality. Such a tool will quickly become dull and break.

Features of material selection

In addition to the device for work, you will need a base on which you will cut out the pattern. Wood for this purpose can be different: soft, hard and very hard. The first type includes linden, aspen and alder. These materials are suitable for your first steps in mastering artistic carving. The fact is that they are very easy to work with and you don’t need to use a lot of force to hollow out this or that element. That is, such blanks are usually given to beginners.

Hardwoods - pear, birch, oak, maple, beech - are used by experienced craftsmen who have good skills. The remaining breeds are used quite rarely. At first, fake blanks are enough for you.

In addition to the hardness of the rock, the shade of its surface is of great importance. Naturally, after completing the work, you will open the product with colorless varnish. However, there is nothing better than the original shade. It will highlight all the natural beauty of your masterpiece.

Main types of thread

In order to make a craft, you need to master some types of work:

• marking;
• sawing;
• cutting;
• drilling;
• planing;
• pruning;
• chiselling;
• scraping;
• grinding.

In addition, there are several types of carving itself:

1. through. This type involves cutting holes at specified locations.
2. Embossed. In this case, the main elements are at different levels in relation to the background.
3. Sculptural. This type of carving is quite complex and is used only by experienced craftsmen. The fact is that this work is very delicate and requires compliance with all the necessary proportions.
4. Flat-skinned. It is from this type that beginners begin to accumulate their experience. All that is necessary is to apply the design to the workpiece and hollow it out. In this case, all elements are on the same level with the background.

Features of using special equipment

In addition to the above tools, you may also need a machine. Wood carving in this case is performed without your direct participation. All you need is to set the program and set the desired ornament. Then the machine will do everything on its own.

There are different types of devices that can do this kind of work. They have different dimensions and functions. However, the main requirement for such equipment is the presence of cutters. All you need to do is control, which is done using the control panel. The rest of the process is automated.

At all times, wood carving was considered a very profitable and beautiful art. There are different tools for it, and their range is very extensive. By purchasing such a set, you will be able to hone your skills so that one day you can give your loved ones an original and very beautiful gift. Good luck!

Tools

Before proceeding with this overview chapter, it is necessary to understand special safety precautions! Any carver's tool, be it a chisel, a chisel, or even more so a knife, can be compared in sharpness to a straight razor, so when working with them it is necessary to observe safety measures. During cutting, you need to position the material so that you can work freely with a knife or chisel, while eliminating the possibility of the cutting edge hitting your hands. For the same reason, carving with the workpiece on your knees is strongly discouraged. The material being processed must have its own surface (board or table).

Wood carving, like many hobbies and professions, require the involvement of a large number of people in the process tools and material. This includes pocket knives, specialty knives, chisels, round and straight chisels, V-shaped tools, and many other pieces of equipment needed for carving.

Tools- the basis of any technological process, including such a creative process as wood carving.

There is no universal tool that can help you create amazing work. However, a thoughtful and wise choice can make the first steps in such an interesting activity as wood carving easier and more enjoyable.

It often happens that the number and cost of wood carving tools is simply intimidating at first, however, over time you will realize that not all tools are expensive, and their number will gradually increase! Gradually, your hobby will be able to generate income and perhaps develop into a profession.

When choosing tools, try to choose high quality ones (and they don't have to be expensive ones) so that you will benefit from your purchase in the long run.

Basic cutting set may include several items, using which you can complete most of the cutting (sometimes the entire cutting), these items can sometimes be found at home (carving knives, needle files, chisels, a hacksaw for metal, a medium-sized vice, an emery disc, an electric drill, various drills and bars)

Wood carving knife at first you can replace it with a simple one (but made of good steel). The quality of steel can be checked with a needle file - it should be difficult to “take” the steel, or slide over it. Subsequently, you can make a carving knife yourself from a hacksaw blade for metal, or purchase a special carving knife in a store. An excellent start would be knives from Narex, Kogatana, Flexcut, and Tatyanka.

Flat chisels- to begin with, perhaps sharpen a flat-head screwdriver or file, or purchase one at a store or construction market.

Semicircular chisels– professionals most often use semicircular chisels to work with the material. Depending on the degree of roundness, chisels are divided into flat, medium and round. In specialized stores they are sold both in sets and individually. There are a large number of different shapes of semicircular chisels used for wood carving.

V-shaped chisels- used where it is inconvenient to work flat, as well as for carving triangular and angular shapes.

There are many different spoon cutters, straw cutters, chisels and knives, information about which you can find in specialized sources if you seriously engage in wood carving.

Although the number of tools in a master’s kit sometimes exceeds a hundred, when performing simple carvings he often makes do with a minimum number of tools. So famous carving teacher in England David Sabol in his book “Wood carving Basic” writes that he uses only the necessary minimum of tools in his work, since a large selection sometimes distracts from carving, while in the same book he stipulates that all new items sooner or later replenish his collection of tools.

Tree.

Choosing wood is sometimes difficult. Each type of wood has its own pros and cons. Soft wood species of linden, aspen, and birch are easy to cut, but crafts made from these types of wood are easier to reject with an awkward cut or pressing. Hard wood of oak, beech, boxwood, mahogany is more difficult to process and here there is a possibility of either breaking the tool, for example, under strong pressure, or getting injured as a result of the same strong pressure. In any case, when choosing a wood species, many factors must be taken into account. So the size of the craft, its shape, color, what tool you will use to work on wood.

Birch. Birch wood is very light, easy to cut both along and across the grain, drills well, and makes good crafts. However, it is not advisable to use glued birch bars when cutting, since the directions of the fibers will be different and the craft will not seem solid. Birch wood can warp and darken over time.

For contour and slotted threads Coniferous trees may work well. Wide distances between growth rings and soft wood (spruce, pine) make it possible to apply large ornaments without much difficulty. The disadvantages of pine and spruce, as well as other conifers, include the fact that when carving across the course of the growth rings, the knife (chisel) will seem to jump. The reason lies in the uneven distribution of wood density in the rings.

Carving masters Aspen and linden are often used. The wood of these trees is soft and easy to cut in all directions. Aspen is even more affordable and durable. Although there are more knots in it.

Beginners can try carving on coniferous trees (spruce, pine, juniper) or use birch, linden, aspen and pear; although the final choice of wood is yours.

Wood has been and remains one of the best materials for interior decoration. Being completely natural, wood does not emit substances harmful to health either during processing or during use. Wood is practical, wood is beautiful. Using a simple tool, you can create a unique carved decoration: a panel, a box, a figurine.

Wood carvings are the best decoration for your own home and an excellent gift. Carving is not difficult, anyone can become a wood carver, you just need a little talent, a lot of perseverance and, of course, good wood carving tools.

What a beginner carver can't do without

Anyone who is lucky enough to be in the workshop of a real master of wood carving will be horrified - he uses so many different tools. It's just eyes wide open. The master will easily determine how to perform this or that stroke, what is best suited for this or that detail. Choosing the right carving tool largely determines the quality of the product.

A novice carver does not necessarily need to purchase a full set of tools; to make entry-level products, you can get by with a few of the most versatile knives and chisels. This will give you the opportunity to gain work experience, develop your own style, and then acquire exactly the instrument that will really be in demand.

Knives-jambs

The most common knives for wood carving are jamb knives. They are used by both seasoned professionals and beginning carvers. Knives of this type have a beveled blade, making them convenient for creating small recesses. Their use is justified both for flat-relief sampling and for creating volumetric compositions.

A separate type of joint is a flag knife. It looks like a triangle, one corner stuck into the handle. This knife is universal; all areas of the blade are used in work.

Blunt knives differ in the angle of the cutting edge and the width of the blade. Based on the type of sharpening, a distinction is made between single-bevel and double-bevel. A beginning carver's toolkit should have several of these knives: at least three of different widths.

Geometric thread cutters

When making relief panels, you cannot do without another common carver's knife - a cutter knife. Thanks to the longer blade, this knife is ideal for creating ornaments in the shape of geometric shapes. They are convenient for processing curved shapes and roundings. So, triangles and other shapes are cut out with a hatchet knife.

In addition to creating flat reliefs, cutters are widely used for three-dimensional products. In skillful hands, a small cutter can be compared to an artist's brush.

Bogorodsky knife, “Tatyanka”

The phrase “Bogorodskaya toy” is familiar to many. This is a handmade wooden figurine. Almost the entire carving process, from preparing the workpiece to smoothing out small irregularities, is performed with a special knife, also called a Bogorodsk knife. Such a knife should definitely be in a carver's workshop.

A modification of this knife, popularly called “Tatyanka,” is widespread. When cutting soft wood, the full cycle of work can be completed with one tool. It is excellent for power carving; thanks to its comfortable handle, it ideally transfers force to the blade.

Chisels for wood carving

It is convenient to make samples of various configurations using chisels. Carvers use a variety of tools, but the most common are:

• straight chisels;
• semicircular or radius;
• cranberries, semicircular chisels with a bend at the cutting edge;
• stapled, having a U-shaped profile;
• corner

Unlike knives, the use of wood carving chisels allows you to make a groove of the required depth and profile in one pass. When working with soft wood, the chisel is pressed in by hand; carving on hard wood requires a striking technique. Here a wooden hammer or mallet will come to the aid of the master.

In addition to differences in profile, chisels also differ in size. There is a tool with a working edge from two millimeters to several centimeters.

In addition, there is another type of tools for engraving and wood carving - a graver. They can produce beautiful artistic works.

Other necessary tools

A carver cannot get by with knives and chisels alone. It is necessary to acquire another tool designed for processing wood. The list can be very extensive, it all depends on the qualifications of the master and the list of products that he plans to produce. In any case, you will need:

• hacksaw or electric saw for cutting the workpiece;
• hatchet for roughing;
• plane and rasp for preparing the surface of the board;
• a set of patterns for transferring an image onto a workpiece;
• drill, manual or electric;
• nichrome wire for burning thin elements;
• sandpaper of different grain sizes for final finishing of the product.

It would also be a good idea to worry about safety when carving with a sharp tool. To fasten small products, a carpenter's vice or several clamps are needed. A protective glove made of steel wire will help protect your hands from injury; this is especially important for beginning carvers. If the work involves multiple movements of a sharp knife towards yourself, it is worth purchasing an apron made of thick leather.

Tool sharpening

For wood carving to be enjoyable and the created masterpieces to be pleasing to the eye, the tool must be sharp. If during work you feel an increase in the resistance of the material, you need to take a break and sharpen the tool. This will allow you to avoid using unnecessary effort when carving and guarantee the excellent quality of every stroke, every groove.

Sharpening should begin by leveling the working surface of the tool. To do this, use a coarse abrasive. It quickly and efficiently removes burrs and creates an ideal cutting edge.

Note! When working, it is important not to spoil the sharpening angle of the wood chisel and the geometry of the knife blade.

When working with emery, you need to be careful, you must not allow the metal to overheat; sudden temperature changes can “release” the cutting edge.

After large irregularities have been removed, they move on to fine-grained abrasives. During grinding, roughness that arose during rough sharpening of the carving tool is removed. The last ones to use are sanding mixtures applied to a felt base. They create a perfectly flat surface, reducing friction between the tool and the material to a minimum.

Choice and purchase

A novice carver naturally has a question: where to get a carving tool. Nowadays this is not a problem. The industry offers chisels and knives of all types and modifications. You can purchase several knives and one or two chisels, or you can buy a set of tools, guided by your own taste and financial capabilities.

Oddly enough, the wide range of carving tools makes the choice much more difficult. It's difficult to navigate and buy a really good thing. It is not difficult to become the owner of a “disposable” tool that will last for several hours of work.

Before purchasing a tool, you should definitely ask:

• grade of steel from which the tool is made;
• manufacturer;
• country of manufacture.

An instrument is an individual thing. When choosing a knife or chisel, the right thing to do is to hold it in your hands, check how convenient it is to use, and only then buy it. It would also be useful to communicate on thematic forums, where experts share their own experiences; they will be happy to give practical advice.

DIY knife

Many professionals do not accept purchased tools and prefer to work with ones they made with their own hands. This makes sense, because every knife, every chisel is perfectly adjusted to the master’s hand. This tool is convenient to use, your hand does not get tired, and it is easy to control the pressure.

This is a reasonable approach. Having experience working with metal and good steel, you can start making a universal Bogorodsk knife for wood carving or a hatchet knife. To do this, you can use a broken blade from a mechanical hacksaw with a thickness of 2 mm. A powerful electric sharpener is sufficient for the tool.

The outline of the blade is transferred to the workpiece and carefully processed along the contour. During operation, the workpiece must be periodically cooled by dipping it in a container of water.

For a person familiar with woodworking, making a handle will not be difficult. An ideal handle can be made from a cast made from plasticine held in your hand. A wooden block of suitable size is marked and clamped in a vice. Using a hacksaw (it is better to use a hacksaw for metal) remove excess. For final finishing, use a rasp and sandpaper.

Wood carving is used both to create functional products and decorative devices. Today, in times of technical process, with the advent of woodworking equipment and artificial materials, carving has moved into the area of ​​leisure and hobby.

However, the centuries-old tool is used by practicing carvers in the restoration of furniture, buildings and other works of art, as well as new products.

In carving, the ability to produce any product of high quality requires not only innate ability in the carver, but also practical skills to work with an immeasurable variety of shapes. For this purpose, both specialized hand tools and electrical devices have been created.

Chisels for wood carving

The basis of carving tools are handmade wood cutters. The set of round and flat chisels can be represented by 18 cutting edge shapes. The canvases have up to 5 different profiles, their sizes vary from 2 to 50 mm.

Round and flat chisels for wood cutting are identified by number and name. As a rule, the name corresponds to the shape of the cutting edge and blade, while the cross-section of the cutting edge is different. To make it easier to identify chisels, a numbering system was adopted in the 19th century.

Special chisels are made that are used for delicate and complex work. These include:

• flat corner cranberries, right-handed and left-handed;
• reverse bend cranberry;
• cranberry with a stepped bend;
• round fishtail chisel;
• pterygoid corner;
• curved blade with a rectangular groove;
• cranberry with a rounded rectangular trough.

Other hand cutting tools

In addition to chisels in carving, other general purpose woodworking tools:

Special devices

electrical tools

Modern carvers widely use electric wood tools, which are lightweight, functional, and portable:

• Electric drill- the main power tool on the market. Drills are produced both mains powered and cordless. Many people, out of habit, purchase a powered tool, although cordless models are more convenient to use. They are lightweight, quiet, and have removable battery packs or come with wall stands with a built-in charger. The range of use of an electric drill is expanded by all kinds of accessories for it.
• An electric jigsaw is a tool that works like a hacksaw and an openwork, or bow, saw. Modern designs are equipped with electronic speed control, the engines are highly balanced and have little vibration. All jigsaws are designed so that the saw blades can be easily changed. A wide variety of different types of wood saws with special tooth configurations are produced.
• Circular saw or circular saw A specialist uses it when you need to cut wood in any direction, quickly, accurately and safely. The main thing is to choose a tool with precise guides and reliable saw blade guards. Some models have a built-in electronic control system that provides a smooth start when turned on and selectable speed.
• An electric planer is ideal for quickly adjusting workpieces to size or for trimming. There are several types of knives that simply change if both edges become dull. The knife block is protected by a barrier, which prevents not only the worker, but also the knives from damage.
• Using electric grinders, you can prepare the surface of a product for polishing or varnishing. There are belt and disc vibratory sanders.
• Manual electric milling machine took the place of planes, chisels, tongue and grooves and folding tapestry. With its help, edges and grooves are cut out in a wooden workpiece, quarters are selected, and chamfers are removed.

Installation of a wooden blank

Hand tools for wood carving are very sharp. Therefore, it is important for safe operation that the workpiece is secured. They use both special fixing devices or standard clamps, as well as those made independently.

When sculptural cutting, the main condition for comfortable work is the ability to quickly change the angle of the product. To do this, use a special rotary clamp, with which you can quickly change and fix any angle of the workpiece.

A bench vise can be used for wood carving by installing soft jaws on it so as not to leave traces of the metal sponge on the future product. A standard carpenter's workbench vice can be used if you attach a clamp to it, which will continue to hold the workpiece.

For clamping a flat workpiece on the surface of a stand or workbench, a carpenter's quick-release clamp will be convenient. A gasket must be placed between the product and the clamp. Bench stops can be used for the same purpose.

Wood carving vices are similar to metalworking vices, but are made not of metal, but of wood. They have thicker cheeks, which are covered with leather or cork to prevent damage to the product. A model vice is an analogue of a metal vice. They have large, wood-lined cheeks that can swivel.

For rigid fastening of workpieces on a stand or workbench, a workbench screw is used. The threaded end of the screw is screwed into the wood, and the other end is secured with a nut through a hole in the stand or workbench.

The carver's stand is a wooden workbench that consists of four massive legs spaced out for secure support and a thick surface. The surface is drilled in order to use fixing devices on it. For stability, the stand must be made heavier by attaching additional weight to it.

Main types and styles of carving

Depending on the type of material and the method of processing, the following types of thread are distinguished:

• flat-relief;
• embossed;
• flat-notched;
• sculptural;
• sawing

Each type has its own tasks, execution methods and results:

• In applied art and architecture, flat-relief carving is used. With this execution technique, the drawing and background look three-dimensional, although they are in the same plane. This is achieved by cutting deep into the canvas along the contour of the image.
• The most picturesque is relief cutting. The drawing with this labor-intensive technique will be convex relative to the background.
• With the flat-notch technique, the ornament is applied to a flat surface. The pattern is displayed in the form of recesses and recesses.
• The sculptural look of woodworking creates images without a background. This technique is used to make toys and souvenirs that can be viewed from all sides.
• The sawing method of carving involves removing the background completely. A pattern is applied to the fixed workpiece and holes for the saw are drilled. A cut is made along the contour, chamfered with a chisel and sanded. The effect of lightness and airiness is created.

There are original styles of wood carving. Such styles, patented by carver Shamil Sasykov, include the “Tatyanka” style. This is a flat-relief carving, in which there are flat-notched elements. You can get acquainted with this technique on the author’s website tatianka.ru. The wood carving tool and tutorial can be purchased from the online store of this site.