2X4 carving sequel

[Inadv]

Since the width of a single 2X4 is only about 1.5" the size of a carving is seriously limited. So I had the bright idea to glue-up 2 - 2X4s side by side. I carefully sanded and matched the grain as close as I could, and the results were great. I was so proud as I carved, but the stain tattletaled on me in a big way. LOL That thin dark line just jumped right on out there.

Anyways the carving came out pretty well and I'm satisfied that it can be done. There will be a few more pine carvings in my near future. I kinda over did the base/habitat on this one, and it detracts from the subject a bit. Live and learn.

Please offer any advice or critique you might have.

L.P.

[Thor]

Another fine carving L.P. I don't see any problem with the base at all. Your imagination created a fine habitat once again.
I like carving pine, but I avoid yellow pine like what they build houses out of like 2X4's. White pine, or shelving boards carve very nicely....William, here on the board carves them beyond anyone I've seen here.
Christina

[torpidhummer]

Very well done LP, your experiement with the 2X4 paid off very well.
Oscar

[Buffalo Bif]

Maybe you would like to try a 4x4 and avoid the glue line?
Nice dolphin, Larry, I don't mind the habitat.

[Inadv]

Christina: I'm pretty sure this is not yellow pine, but it is construction grade none the less. Cheapest stuff you can get from Lowes. These pieces were cut-offs from the bonsai shelves I built when we moved here last Sept. I'm going to pick up a few more boards soon along with some of the "select" 3/4" shelving boards like what William has been using. His carvings are just so far beyond my abilities that I can only admire... Sigh.
Oscar: Thank you good sir.
Brian: I have looked at the 4X4s and they all appear to be either yellow pine or treated lumber, neither of which I think would be forgiving enough for my abilities. The glue line is something that I'll be paying more attention to in future projects. It's actually not that bad, just a little distracting.

L.P.

[Bill V]

Looks nice to me. Great job!

[Claude]

Nice work, L.P.!
Have you looked for some yellow poplar (also called tulip popular)? A bit harder than basswood, but a nice even grain. Generally white wood, but with some pale green tints to it in places. Often sold for balusters. A source of supply other than the DIY store: check the phone directory and see if there is a cabinetry/molding/milling business around. They may have cutoffs. Poplar is used at times for crown molding, etc.

Claude

[BeaverDon]

I would guess this is fir or spruce, but neither is particularly easy to carve, so great job making this look so good. My only criticism, and you alluded to it, is I'm not crazy about the sand. But I love the little curls of "water" you made.

[Inadv]

Bill: Thank you, I appreciate your compliment
Claude: Tulip poplar is quite common around these parts, and some sizes are available at our local lowes. I have carved it before and found it relatively easy to work with sharp tools. It is also quite sturdy and would probably be better than the pine for cracking or breaking. I have aspirations of getting fairly large with future projects. I'll try calling around to see if any of the mfgrs. in this area have "cut-offs" available. I was planning to do that anyway in hopes of finding some walnut, oak, and other hardwoods. Thanks for the suggestion!
Don: The bin the 2"X4"X8' stud came from at lowes said "pine". I bought a half dozen of them last year to build shelving for my bonsai trees. A few of them had to be trimmed to fit the chosen space, and these 2 dolphins are carved from those cut-offs. There was no mistaking the scent of the wood as I worked it with the power tools. I had to dodge a few knots in the larger one, but when I cut through one of them on the band saw it reeked of turpentine. Thank you for your opinion, and to tell the truth I wasn't real happy with the "foam" I was trying to emulate either. This is all very much a learning experience for me. I have whittled on lumber scraps since I was a boy, but it has only been in the past few years that I've tried to get serious with it.

[Robson Valley]

That's as nice as the first one. You've "got" the wisps of spray just right, same for the curves of the dolphin. Skip the foam on the next one, see what you think. I'll guess that your head can fill in the blanks.

Wood selection: If you get construction 2x4 from western Canada, it will have S-P-F stamped on it. That means Spruce (Picea), Pine (Pinus) Fir (Abies). If it was a real 'stud', that's precut to 92 5/8" for framing walls. It is not a 96" "8-footer". When I need a bunch of 48" pieces, I have to buy 12' and cut them myself.
If it really is pine, it will have gray streaks in it. That's the remnant damage from the fungus carried by the Mountain Pine Beetle. We call it "bug-wood". It cuts, drills, saws, glues and paints weird. Powdery texture. Varathaned, it just looks really dirty.