[oldbearx2]

Hey all, I have been requested to carve some Indian faces into the upright logs in a log cabin. These are support braces for the loft. The owner wants the carvings fairly detailed and deep. The logs are about the size of a 3lb coffee can. Does anyone know if this would affect the strength of the logs, if I went too deep? Any suggestions.

Harold

[whitecree]

How deep is too deep? I'd suggest going no more than 1/4 to a 1/3 of the depth, but it also depends on the wood itself. Pine is moderately strong, spruce and fir are stronger, alder is structurally weak.

[Ashbys]

I think that doing the chainsaw might be a bit too much . But I would think if your not planning on cutting more and an inch you should be ok, unless your going all the way around. I think I would look at no more than 1/2 inch just do a lot of undercutting to give the depth.

Also I would have him sign a waver that your not responable for sturcture damage.

Better safe than sorry

Ash

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I really doubt anything you would carve would weaken those logs, remember a round cylinder is the strongest shape!

[Kenny_S]

I agree with Hi Ho, A lot of upper decks are supported by 4 x 4s so you should be fine and not going real deep, an inch to and inch and a half will get you a nice detailed carving.

[artolver]

The faces should be an Oval 4in. wide and 5in. high. Draw that out Then lay out features... EYE line a wee bit above half center
NOSE line 1/2 between the eye line and bottom (chin)
LIP line 1/2 between the bottom of nose and and the chin
draw that out. next draw out Hair doos, Face features, Choker necklace......//??
Start carving , you dont want a chain saw, you want hand and mallet tools. start from the tip on the nose and work it back to your profile............. start on the hairdoos, feathers stuff like that outward and away from the oval, ears should be top (level to eyebrow)to bottom (level to nostril )or hide ear with hair or feathers.
It's easy, take your time and keep you pencil handy
make sense?
art

[oldbearx2]

Yes I guess I forgot to explain I will be using all hand tools and the logs are spruce. I just didn't want to carve all three logs and then hear the place fell down. OOPS Thanks Harold

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

that spruce is liable to be very hard!