[Dan S]

Hey there,
I was just wonering how your bird turned out. I am carving the same bird from the same book. In my case I think I took off too much on the tail. The photos in the book are a bit misleading (at least to me). I think that I can fix this however. I'm going to try tonight. If not, well it's only wood...

Dan

[cedarshavings]

Well like someone else replied to me I kept on going with it and eventually it all came together and looked like it was suppose to. I actually had the neck area too long and just had to cut some off the top of the head during the early roughout stage. This brought it all into perspective and it is looking pretty good. I've put it on the back burner for now because I got started doing some other things that were not going to take as long became anxious to get them finished so right now I still have a long way to go with the Kestrel but he did come around to looking like I wanted it to at this stage. I might try to get started back with it and maybe we can coach each other along as we meet new challenges. I've looked at a lot of pictures online and there are a lot of Kestrels that the tail feathers appear longer or shorter than others so maybe you are not far off. I guess you could always go a step farther and carve the feathers seperate and insert them.

Good luck
Steve

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You took off too much wood? lol...thats what they make Elmers for !

[torpidhummer]

I never taught of Paul's suggestion but he is right on, yesterday I did the same thing on a Red Tailed Hawk I'm carving. I cut to deep on the primary feathers with the band saw. Today I cut an insert hole for the feathers and later I will carve and glue them up. I have a peregrine falcon,that I removed to much wood all around the neck area,what I will do later is cut off the entire neck and head,and carve out and glue the entire head and neck area. Sometimes my carving errors turn out to be a blessing, like turning a kestrel into a hummingbird after all that's what Floyd Scholz recommends, just a little friendly fun.
Oscar

[Dan S]

Hey Steve,
I'll post photos as I go along. Perhaps you can get back to yours as well. I'm going to try gluing on a feather this weekend. The problem is not all that hard to fix, just anoying.

Dan

[Hugh P.]

Just now noticed this posting, Steve I had 4 carving students last winter that carved that project. There is a problem with that pattern. You cut out the side view, that is fine, but when you come to cut out the top view is where you get in trouble, up around the head, if you cut out another, leave the top view block square from the shoulders up, carve off the exess with your grinder from the top of the head down. Next thing is the picture on the pop out page, its not the same bird as the pattern , so be extra careful taking measurements from it. Other than that Floyd gives very good step by step instructions .

[cedarshavings]

I thought there was something just not quite right with that. I just chalked it up as my inexperience but I still couldn't figure out what it was. I had already thought that about the head and knew if I did another one I would do it different. I've got a ways to go before thinking about starting another one yet.

[Dan S]

Oh good,
I also thought I had messed up somehow. I had to change the position on the birds head. He also messes up his views on the tail feathers. I one photo it shows them carved flat in another they stick up half an inch or so. I'm trying to correct this problem now.

Dan

Dan

[Paul Adkins]

I have carved several Kestrels using this book. I am right now about 2/3rds finished with the painting of one. Like Hugh said you need to be careful how you cut this out. Also on the tail the pattern is 2" and the picture in the book shows him removing a angle of wood from the tail. What I have learned is to read and study the book ahead of the step you are at. His books have been a real help to me. Glueing pieces on is ok in some areas. I would not use wood epoxy on a realistic bird carving except for setting eyes and and making feet.

[Jack Baun]

Sounds familiar
reminds me of the indian trying to cercumsize himself.with a hatchet
Have a good day Love, Jack