posted
What kind of chiseles do you all use for HDU. I need to get some and am interested in finding a supplier.
Thanks.
------------------ Pat Neve, Jr. Sign Man, Inc. 4580 N. US 1 Melbourne, FL 32935 321-259-1703 signman@signmaninc.com Capt. Sign Letterville Constituent constituent: "One of the individual entities contributing to a whole"
Posts: 2284 | From: Melbourne, FL, USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
There are several wood workers supply places on the web which have carving tools. Woodworker's Warehouse is one. I got my first set, which I still use, from the Dick Blick catalog, of all places. E-mail me and I can give you more specific info.
------------------ "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson)
Cam Finest Kind Signs 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988"
Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have recently bought some flexi-cut and like them pretty good. They hold and nice edge and can be honed up for quite a while without going to a stone. The price is right compared to a lot of better chisels. Around 200.00 for a nice set which will do about any cuts. I also like the pfeil or swissmade, but grab yo wallet. The flexi's work as well at half the price. Bronzeo
------------------ Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com bronzeo@swbell.net http://www.imagemakerart.com
Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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I just stumbled across a new tool that I know will work great on HDU. These will not replace chisels but would be a nice additional tool for HDU. You all probably know how well a sureform tool cuts thru HDU. These new tools are called Microplanes and come in 3 sizes both round and square and have teeth similar to a sureform, but in a much smaller size. All six will set you back about $50. I found them in Klingspor's Sanding Catalog. 800-228-0000.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
Cam ... which chisels do you use most of the time.
Thanks fellas
------------------ Pat Neve, Jr. Sign Man, Inc. 4580 N. US 1 Melbourne, FL 32935 321-259-1703 signman@signmaninc.com Capt. Sign Letterville Constituent constituent: "One of the individual entities contributing to a whole"
Posts: 2284 | From: Melbourne, FL, USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
Pat, I got my set of about 8 chisels and added a pointed carving knife at Paxtons Woodworkers Stores. Their is not one in your area but they have them listed here with a lot of other choices also. I think the Pfeil is the top of the line and have used them, but like my flexicuts as well. http://shop.woodcraft.com/woodcraft/default.asp?mscssid=5VJ4693FVLUU9NK3MBMC9807TQ3H9NK7 Bronzeo
------------------ Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801
Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
Pat, I use two tools for about 90% of letter carving, one being a V-chisel for serifs, corners, and letter centerlines, the other being a mill knife, (a short-handled angled blade) for shaping the sides of the letter. You will also want a couple of gouges (curved chisels) and at least one or two veiners (narrow U-shaped gouges) which are real handy for carving an accent line or outline around the edge of your sign. Carving is like lettering in that practice helps make you faster and more accurate.
It's appropriate to mention sharpening when talking about carving tools. I use a Japanese water stone for major initial and periodical sharpening, and have a small bench grinder set up with a cotton buffing wheel for frequent honing of the tools with an emery compound while carving. When you install the wheel, leave the guard off, and turn the grinder around backwards so the wheel turns away from you on the top. Dress the wheel with emery, then polish the edges of the tool on the top of the wheel. Learning to properly sharpen and hone your tools is more difficult than actually carving, at least with HDU, but it is vital to being able to carve clean and fast and be happy with the results.
------------------ "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson)
Cam Finest Kind Signs 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988"
Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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