Auzzie in Japan

[Marcus C.]

Hi all,

Please to be here. 

I am a new bone carver, well maybe not a carver as yet but trying. I`m Australian living in Tottori City, Japan.

I wasn`t interested in carving at all, but I was doing some DIY around the home and got a 

dremel to do a few jobs. I knew it was a versatile tool but had no idea what I could do with it, a bit of a look around 

the net... and well I did some glass etching, thought it was kind of easy. I`m no master, just a hack job. But I think I did really well.

Found bone pendants and found watching it come together so much more fascinating. I found something I wanted to do, but wasn`t able

and looking for answers I found the carving path. Will post my questions in the appropriate thread, I have found some answers but also now

have more questions. To be honest though, I hope this is not just a fad for me. I don`t have a dedicated work space, as I live in a shoe box, which makes it hard.

Right now I am really enjoying it.

[Jim K Jordan]

Welcome Marcus.

Welcome to the Dark side.....

[Janel]

Hi Marcus,

Welcome! 

We have one member, Ed Twilbeck, who works in a very small set up for carving.  He has posted images of it.  

The most important thing is to manage the dust.  Some folks work outside, others set up a gentle suction/filter arrangement to pull the dusts away from the face and work space.  There are various ways to do that.  One set up I saw in Japan was a box fan with a filter and cloth on its front, set facing the carving space to blow the cleaned air out and away from the bench.  Some carvers have a drawer beneath the bench and a modest sized hole with a wire grid covering it.  The drawer is then connected to the suction/filter device of choice, and the dusts are drawn away from the face and hands. 

The second most important thing is to keep tools sharp.  Also if you are using a power tool, wear eye protection.  And hearing protection if the motor is loud. 

I am one for using hand tools most of the time, but the first hours of bulk waste removal is by power tool. 

So, asking questions and pursuing the answers by applying what you have learned from others and doing things yourself might just hook you.  Such work can be very satisfying.

Best wishes,

Janel