[David Conner]

Is there anybody...out there?

[sharon cottrell]

Hi David, I know I'm out there!LOL Welcome, do you carve? If you do, what do you like to carve? Lots of nice folks here. Hope you like it here...Sharon

[mdallensr]

A bunch of us! Welcome to the board. We like to hear what you carve, how you carve, and even why you carve. We also enjoy seeing examples of you carvings. Mike

[David Conner]

Hi Sharon,
Yes, I do carve. I started out doing Tiki sculptures. Then I did a pelican, which turned out OK. My most recent works are two jobs that I did for the local waterfront mall, here in Punta Gorda, Florida. I tried to upload a photo for my avitar, but it didn't work. After two attempts, I gave up and decided to ask directions. Maybe you can shed some light on this process.

[David Conner]

Hi Mike,
I answered one of your questions in my note to Sharon (what I carve).
My methods seem to be rather Unorthodox, from what I have gathered here so far. I generally do large pieces. First I rough them out with a chainsaw, removing bulk and getting the basic form. then I go to work with a 24 grit disk sander on a drill. This technique allows me to to remove wood with greater control, yet still with considerable speed. I use two different sizes of disk, alternately. then I go to 60 grit disks, and a dremel with a flex hose attachment. I have a "U" gouge and several flat chisels that I use as needed. The more experience I get, the more I expand my repertoire of tools and techniques.
As for why I do it: I love the creative experience, I love the smells, textures and beauty of wood, and I like being self-employed. It can be very stressful at times. There is no guaranteed paycheck every Friday, but I'm still hanging in there. In fact, if I look through a sufficiently distorted lense, I see that business is getting better all the time.

[sharon cottrell]

Hi again, there are quite a few chainsaw carvers on this site. Scroll down the message board and you will find the place. Also go to the carver gallery and check it out there. I love all that stuff about wood to, and I'm sure the others do also. some pictures when you can, there's instructions on how to do it under FAQ, I think. If you have a hard time with things here, ask and somebody will help when they're on the site. Just keep checking back in.

[gene messer]

David .. Love to see some of your pics .. Not a chain saw fellow .. but love looking at them ..

Gene

[GeorgiaCarver]

Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy the forum.

gReg