Carving a Log

Topdog10 · #1 04-10-2007, 10:10 PM

This is my first attempt at wood carving..and I can really use somew advice. I have two specific projects in mind. I'd like to take a tree stump or log..stand it vertical...and hollow out the top so that my dogs food bowl is hidden inside it.

Please offer any and all suggestions about how I should get started..PLEASE..LOL

Topdog10

Pete Rieger · #2 04-11-2007, 01:42 AM

Well,I would hollow it with a chainsaw,then smooth it with an angle grinder and a 36 grit disc,might take 10-15 minutes.If you aren't an experienced saw user,don't try it. I made a drum with an adze and gouges,that took a lot longer than 15 minutes. Your safest bet with the most likelihood of success is to use a spade bit in a drill and drill out the waste wood, clean it up with a gouge if you have one. Or maybe trace the bowll and cut a clean circle with a router,then drill out the remaining depth with a spade bit.I'm just thinking out loud and I don't know your level of comfort,experience and skill with woodworking tools.Assuming you are a rookie,wear safety protection,glasses,hearing, and flesh. Remember,Necessity is the mother of invention. You could burn and scrape it out if you had the time and patience.

Topdog10 · #3 04-11-2007, 08:15 AM

Pete, Thank you very much for the help. I'm green as it gets at wood carving...but I have time and patience..lol. I'll get me a chainsaw..and some chainsaw help if needed..and get started. The logs I have right now are Oak...and it was cut approx. 90 days ago. I'm a hard worker..and have 50 + years of country boy..getting things done, experience..lol....so your help getting me started seems heaven sent. If nothing else..I learned what a Spade drill Bit is..LOL. I guess I've always called them paddle bits...but the good news is I have some...lol.

Thank you again for your help. I hope to see you around the site.

Darrell (Topdog10)

wade clark · #4 04-11-2007, 08:29 AM

topdog,
Welcome!
There are chainsaw chains and bars designed just for carving that are low kick-back. Be careful! You can find the right chain if you do a search under chainsaw carving supplies.
Your log is probably going to split down one side. It works best if you can use just less than half the log, eliminating heart wood. Then maybe it won't crack.
I know it sounds crazy, but they say wood dries at a rate of one (that's 1) inch per year! Until it's totally dry it may crack. If you seal the end grain it decreases that chance or rather likelyhood. Even after it's dry, if it's a round with heart wood, when you cut into it, the cut may relieve stress in the log and it may crack.
Good luck! have fun, but be safe!
Wade

Topdog10 · #5 04-11-2007, 10:25 AM

Wade, Thank you very much for the tip. I'll get busy working on the chain saw and accessories. Should be easy to find here in South Texas...where lots of us Hillbillies cut our own firewood..lol. I really appreciate the friendly folks here at this site. It'll be fun getting a project done..making new friends..and learning new things.

Thanks again, Darrell (Topdog10)

whitecree · #6 04-12-2007, 11:45 AM

I'll just echo a previous comment about being careful using a chainsaw. Even experienced loggers with years of use behind them sometimes get a kickback when using the nose of the saw to do any work, which it sounds like what you are thinking of. Kickback often leads to serious injuries such as loss of a leg or broken wrists.

That said, once you get started or done, post a picture or two on how it turns out!

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #7 04-12-2007, 02:31 PM

sawing logs is one of my favorite past times!

Topdog10 · #8 04-12-2007, 02:43 PM

Whitecree, Thank you very much for the heads up. I am new to chainsaws...and I understand what you mean. When I was young and working construction..we had to drill some 1" holes through some I-beam. I would leave the drill bit slightly loose..so that if it ever got caught...the drill wouldn't spin and break my arm. I saw a few broken arms on people without this info..lol.

I did some drilling yesterday with a spade bit..and it cut the wood far better than I would have expected..so I might save the chain saw as a last resort. I have more time and patience than money anyway..so I might save the price of a chainsaw..lol.

I really appreciate the input.

Topdog10

Topdog10 · #9 04-12-2007, 02:44 PM

Hi Ho Silver...LOL...I know what ya mean..yesterday..I slept right through my nap!!

Topdog10

whitecree · #10 04-12-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

sawing logs is one of my favorite past times!

That explains all that buzzing I hear from down that way.