totem pole

[Perry]

Hello, soon to start carving a totem pole and need assistance with locating
electric or air wood chisels, I would like to find one that works fast, as you can imagine, I need to get down to the subject area.

Thanks in advance,

Perry

[Oops_Ouch]

This is not an area that I know much about so I probably shouldn't be answering - but here goes.

Most power gouges that I know of will be limited by the size of the accessorys available for them. I am not aware of any more than an inch wide and those are not deep.

Isn't the adz the traditional tool to rough out totem poles? They are definately a way to move large amounts of wood quickly.

Jim

[AlArchie]

If you don't mind the noise, you might try one of those mechanics air chisles and grind your own blades from available stock. They make flat chisle types and curved gouge types. Check your local auto supply store.

If you decide to use an adz, and you manage to find one......most retail outlets don't have a clue what an adz iz......be careful, as those things are notoriously hazzardous. There is a more controlable hand adz, with a short recurved handle, but I've never used one of those.

Never done a totem pole so these are just my best guesses.


Al

[Perry]

I'm one of those people that has no idea what a adz is, can you direct me to a supplier?,

Thanks

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

"Cape Forge" makes/grinds chisels for air chisels...you can do a google search or www.capeforge.com I think! I have a Ryobi, but am pretty sure it is not strong enough for a big job, don't know much about Arbotech and some of the others available. There again do a google search of air chisels.

[Perry]

I will and thanks for the information.

Perry

[Perry]

Looks like the 'mini carver' from Arbotech is exactly what I was looking for.





Again, thanks for the assistance fella's.........

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I believe MHC is having a sale on those? not sure, they send me emails of sale items all the time....name is????? Mountain Heritage Carving? geez a mind is a terrible thing to waste!Head Bange

[Oops_Ouch]

Originally Posted by Perry

I'm one of those people that has no idea what a adz is, can you direct me to a supplier?,

Thanks

What you need to do a totem pole probably depends mostly on the size of the pole you want to do.

One supplier of adz and other traditional Northwest Native American type tools is Kestrel Tools:
http://www.rockisland.com/%7Ekestrel/

They not only have tools but are a good source of Northwest Costal Native Art information.

Many on line catalogs such as Woodcraft sell adzes.

Jim

[Just Carving]

Under the Tools & Sharpening forum, there's a thread entitled "pneumatic power carver" with some more resources on pneumatic chisels for carving wood.

Bob