comfort birds

[ohioelcamino]

after picking up the newest issue i saw the comfort birds and thought i would give it a shot. so i grabbed some scraps that i had, i did one in basswood and then i tryed one in black walnut and it was fun. a very simple project and i got to use one of my rotary sanders so that was a plus. heres a pic of the black walnut one and they will be placed on a piece of driftwood for display as i do a different type of wood.

[sappy]

Very nice job! Done in different woods, as you say you are doing, these would become a very attractive flock!

[Wb7whi]

I have an osage orange blank fresh off the bandsaw. Going to have to Jerry rig a shopvac for the dust. Intending to power the wood off.

Wayne
Spokane Wa

[idigjars]

Very nice! Paul

[Mottles]

Hello and Welcome!
Excellent carving on the 'comfort bird', it looked to me when I saw the WCI magazine that it would be both good for beginner and group project. What are your feelings after carving your 'comfort bird?'

[Bob K.]

Very nice job! Beautiful grain on that walnut!

[ohioelcamino]

thanks everyone . to kathy i think its both great for beginners and as a group, especially if the group wanted to make some for the holidaays and maybe go to a childrens ward at the hospital or a senior center and give them out. i took this to the chrch last night and had so many people stop and have to look at it. and it was funny because one lady was rushing around and she stopped and rubbed it in her hand and she said it actually did make her relax. even if it was just for a minute . but definately a great project.

[jmischel]

You did a great job on that bird. The black walnut looks really nice.

I spent the weekend cutting out blanks for those birds and learning to use my new power carver. I finished birds in mesquite, cedar, black cherry, mimosa, mahogany, and Osage orange. I also have one in mulberry that's almost finished. Altogether, I think I have 20 of those things cut out or partially carved. See Power carved tree ornaments Jim's Random Notes.

It's a really great project, and they'll make a nice addition to the Christmas tree. I'd encourage anybody to try it. I'm certainly learning a lot about power carving with this project.

[chiseler]

Question, -- I have carved one of these comfort birds out of pecan, I would like to get a nice, hard super smooth finish on it so that when one holds it in their hand it is super smooth and soft feeling.
Any suggestions ?
Thanks much.

[ohioelcamino]

lots of sanding is what i do, stepping down the grit and then i use the scotchbrite pads or steel wool that is real fine. hope this helps