sawing blanks

[jamesfa]

i was reading some intructions in a new carving book that said to bandsaw the side profile first.in the past i have not given any thought to which side should been done first.iusually have just cut away.
is there a right way to cut a blank,profile first then front?

[Donna_T]

Hi Jamesfa,
I've been carving for um....about 13-14 years and cutting some of my own smaller blanks for 10 of that--my bandsaw isn't very big so I have a couple of carving friends who will cut out stuff for me that is bigger than what I can do. I have never heard a specific of which profile to cut first. I do save the cut off part and either tape it back on or hot glued it on so that I have a flat side to run through the bandsaw for ease and safety in cutting out the other two dimensions. I usually have to think through which way I want the grain to run in the carving--that's the hardest part for me!
Donna T

[Callynne]

Jamesfa, I just start cutting too. Some times a little bit too close to the pattern :'(. I cut out one or the other, front or side, then draw in the opposite of what I've cut and try to get rid of a little bit more waste wood. I agree with Donna T, when I'm doing some things the hardest part is deciding on the way to run the grain. Callynne

Don't know if there's a right or wrong way, but here's what I do ...

I cut whichever side will yield the largest (fewer) pieces to tape (double stick golf grip tape is what I use) back on, then do the other side.

Most times though, I just forgo the bandsaw and go to wacking away with gouges and knife. Just enjoy the process of removing wood. Something about a sharp tool slicing through basswood that's almost as soothing as sitting on a rock chewing tobacco, sucking on a long neck, and petting the dog while waiting for the fish not to bite.

My two cents; I start cutting the hardest and most compicated side first but do not cut all the way through, leave about 1/8' of wood. Turn the piece to the easy side and cut ALL the way through. Then go back & cut the two pieces off or most of the time they will snap off. Take one of the cutoffs and run it through the bandsaw to about 3/16' thick. You now have a pattern for future use. Take another piece of a cutoff and use it for a paint sample. Sometimes I take a cutoff and do an intarsia piece to give away at shows. Kids love these cutoffs. Big Al

[woodenleg]

James, it seems to me that the profile is more important and it is difficult to get the actual measures on. So, I always cut it first. If I can cut the front as well, then I do so, but sometimes it is hard for me to 'save' enough wood to do that. I try to make my profile as close and detailed as possible.

I do always check, before I start, to make sure the wood is the right thickness from the front. So, at least I can begin from there.

Can the two ladies, who mentioned it, say more about 'cutting with the grain?' To what are you referring? How do you determine it? Thanks