Where Do I Get A Large Carving Block?

[Xtreme57]

Hey guys,

Brand new at this (well at least messaging about it). I'm looking for a block of wood approximately the size of a basketball or soccer ball. But I have no idea where to get it.

Any help would be most appreciated!

Thanks

[arnie]

most people needing a block that size glue it up from smaller pieces,arnie

[Xtreme57]

glue it really??

[AlArchie]

Large blocks that don't split are hard (not impossible) to come by, so most large carvings are made from glue-ups. You might find some almost that large at a source for decoy carving, but even then the head is ususlly glued on.

Check with Heineke. (sp?)

Al

[kenweybright]

I glue most of my wood up for large carvings, simply because large blocks are hard to come by and then you have to be concerned with the block splitting.

Don't know what part of the country you're in, but in Idaho, most of the wood I carve is shipped in or purchased at the local Woodcraft store; not the ideal solution, but that is what I am doing.

For large blocks, also need access to a larger planer in order to get a good glue joint. Something as large as you are considering, may have to be planed at a cabinet shop or high school.

Then you would need access to a 14" band saw, I would imagine to cut the basic piece out.

Just my thoughts.

Ken
Website: carvings-by-ken.com

[susieq]

I just recently glued up several 3" thicknesses of basswood to get the size block I needed for a pattern I had enlarged. This wood had already been planned for smoothness. I use Titebond wood glue and smeared it all up, placed the wood pieces together and clamped it real good. It sat overnight and the next day I removed the clamps, traced the pattern onto the wood, cut it out with the bandsaw and we are making chips now....

Trying to find a really large piece of solid wood is pretty hard.

[Xtreme57]

Thanks so much for all the info so far guys ....

So I will get several smaller blocks of wood an bind them together. Here are some follow-up questions I have though:

1) What is the lightest/strongest wood I should use to carve this out of. Essentially I need to make something that resembles a bowling ball of wood, but it will be suspended so it can't be too heavy.

2) Is there a particular glue/adhesive I should use to bind the blocks together?

Thanks

[RUssL.]

Basswood...or tupelo
Carpenter's glue.

...That's how I carve all my simulated flying bowling balls! ;-)

Russ

[Xtreme57]

Originally Posted by RussL.

Basswood...or tupelo
Carpenter's glue.

...That's how I carve all my simulated flying bowling balls! ;-)

Russ

Hey hey, don't knock it till you try it!!!

[RUssL.]

Hope you know I was just teasing.

Good luck with the project... and watch out for those gutter balls overhead! ;-)

Dang, there I go again.
Sorry.
I just find the image irresistible.

Russ