Hole -n -one

[Merle Rice]

This is a Mark Aker Pattern from his DVD. It is my first Roughout that I purchased,turned out to be one of my better decisions. Very informative video, my only problem was Water and Alchol. Mark suggested to soak it in 50-50 water and Alchol for 3o min. in order to get the Ball into the space. I soaked it for only 20min and thied to put the ball in, no problem but when it dried I had a big split on his sweater and cracks in the ball chamber, and bottom. If doing it again I would soak it for less time. The Golfer is 11"x2"x2", Acrylic Paint, Teak Oil,and Watco Dark Wax. He is going to my Brother in Calif. he is the Golfer. Hope he likes it. Merle

[tnartist05]

MYYYYYYYYYYY GOSH!! Dont know how good of golfer your brother is but this very neat ball in the cage with the golfer is a "hole in one"!!! You did a super job my ole friend not only carving it plus your painting fits it to a "Tee"!!!

Keep up that good work Merle for I really enjoyed this one.

Forrest

[Merle Rice]

Ahhhhhh Good Golly Forrest your just saying that to make me feel good. Thank you. I made a Type error, it's my Brother in law, and he is a pretty good golfer. he is retired and works part time at a Golf Course, cheap Green Fees. Thanks Forrest for your kind words , they are appreciated. Stay well Ole Friend.

[sccarnes]

looking good , looking good,
great paint , and the crack if it where i think it is. look like part of the carving???
sam

[JIM QUILICI]

great carving .......someone is going to be happy getting that fine carving.

Jim

[Merle Rice]

Hi Sam and Jim,Thanks for your coments on my efforts at carving. The Golfer is on its way to Calif.. The Brother in Law doesn't know anything about it. He has been feeling down in the Dumps lately, maybe this will perk him up. Merle

[btree50]

Looks real good, like it a lot!!
JimB

[tucker1931]

Hey Merle, you did a fine job on him. Mark sent me one he did as a gift and by golly, you're not too far off of his. To bad about the cracks, I soak mine for a good hour before I try to put it in, and I also carve just a tad extra off each side at the back of the cage, so far I've only had one crack and I guess I've made maybe a dozen in the past.
Cliff

[Merle Rice]

Hi Jim and Cliff, Thanks for your comments,I appreciate them. Cliff do you always buy a roughout to do the Ball in cage carving? I had no trouble putting the ball in the cage, it went in easy. The columns didn't crack, the cracks were stress cracks. One was a split by where his arm would be. I carved it out by going deeper. The others inside the cage and bottom of the piece, 100s at least. I don't think they will be noticed.
How have you been feeling Old Buddy? Hope not to much discomfort. Still in my Prayers and Thoughts. Merle

[RUssL.]

To minimize cracks try slowing the drying process.

After the ball is in the cage and before you carve put it in a big ziploc plastic bag. Take the rough out out of the bag only a couple of hours each day. Put it back in a DRY ziploc bag and each day leave it out an hour or maybe two more. Continue until it's fully dried.

In using green wood for spoons I have found that slowing the process takes care of most of the cracking. Cracking increases in proportion to hurrying the speed of the drying process.

Just my $0.02

Russ