Record Keeping

[kitaye]

I started a carving a few months ago and finally finished it this weekend. Problem is I do not remember what kind of wood it was made from. I know it was not something I normally use and it came fromthe hardwood section at HomeDepot. Fat lot of help that is.

So what do you do to keep track of what kind of wood, finishes, etc on carvings you did months or years ago?

[cats pa]

This isn't going to help you, but I remember by the tree it came out of, because usually I cut it myself.

This might help you in the future - to make an index card or note when you start a piece. List the wood species and the rough dimensions, and as you go, jot down any unusual happenings. I've done this with furniture before, and a couple times it has really saved my bacon.

In the Home dePoo's around here, I've never seen any hardwoods but oak and mahogany, and you'd probly be better off carving on pallet wood than what I saw. If you haven't finished the piece yet, i.e. the color and grain is still showing, show it to your serious woodworker or cabinetmaker buddy, and they will likely recognise the common ones. Also, they might have a wood identification book (maybe even the one by Bruce Hoadley) which has color samples. If so, offer them a beverage and read about cell structure, grain defects and their effect on elasticity, etc. Fascinating.

HTH,
Parker

[kitaye]

Thanks Cats Pa. I like the index card idea but may expand to include a photo of the finished piece.

[Claude]

Show us a photo of the wood (unpainted) and someone on here is bound to know what type of wood it is.

Claude

[eyegouge]

How much hardwood does your Home Depot carry? Mine is surprisingly sparse. I can't imagine that it could be more than 5 or 6 species. If it is than I live next to the wrong store.

[kitaye]

Claude - I post the picture in the Spoon Carvers thread so I can't post it a second time. I've given a link to the other thread. Mine is post 11.
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/f38/spoon-carvers-14760/

eyegouge - Our's carries three that I am aware of but they don't always have all three. I haven't made it back to home depot in a while so I haven't had a chance to check what species it was.