Carving Robots from Wood "Proper Paraphernalia"

Every hobby one approaches requires the use of specialized tools. There is no getting out of this and of course, "deciding how much money to spend" is aways lurking in the back of one's mind. It will be up to you to make that decision, but for now I will introduce the tools required for carving wood robots. I promise to keep it to a minimum.

The first and most important tool is the knife. I cannot stress the importance of a good solid made carving knife. There are numerous examples out there and if you are fortunate enough to live in the vicinity of a woodcarver or maybe a woodcarving supply house or store, then you may want to explore all those possibilities. Brands and other commercial factors are not as important as how the knife feels in your hand. Also, the blade for a beginner should not exceed an inch or an inch and a half. After carving a bit you will appreciate a small blade rather than too much steel. I suppose I should warn you that handling a sharp knife requires patience, skill and concentration.

Sometimes knowledge and experience sure help. Let me save you hours of work by recommending the next tool you should invest in: the coping saw. Coping saws are a life saver to a beginning student. You don't have to spend a small fortune on an electric scroll saw or even a bulky band saw. With a coping saw you may begin experimenting with forming shapes which eventually lead to your first blank. You see, when an old carver sees a piece of wood, whether it is a small block or a thick twig, he foresees the basic shape of what he intends to finish. Later on if you continue the quest to carve a wood robot, you will acknowledge this fact as very useful. Using a coping saw saves you precious time in the long run. You don't want to spend senseless time carving when a coping saw can remove unwanted wood faster. You will also see that a well shaped blank can save you time and frustration.

So far I have briefly informed you of two tools which are essential to carving a wood robot; the carving knife and the coping saw. Believe me, a masterpiece can be formed using only these two tools, and of course, some wood and your desire.