Hit the Candy store Today

decoycarve · #1 08-30-2006, 09:36 PM

Had to stop in Groff & Groff Lumber Today to pick my logs for my 2008 carving season. They will cut to my specs and then start it air drying. Takes a couple of years to dry.
Goody

wade clark · #2 08-30-2006, 10:20 PM

Wow! Mind-boggling concept! My Wife says, "It's planning!" I guess it is, knowing what you want to do 2 years before you do it! The other day, I told her that our dog plans further ahead than I do. I commend you, Sir!
I'm going to an Amish sawmill tomorrow morning to look at a hollow Poplar log. they were milling a solid one last time I was there and it had the most incredible colors I can ever recall seeing in wood! I'm thinking I may carve chairs out of it, like my bird chairs. I can hardly wait to see the log!
Wade

Colin_Partridge · #3 08-30-2006, 11:34 PM

Goody that is some good looking wood. Yes planning ahead helps a whole lot I have some that has been drying for 10 years I keep telling my wife I will carve it next year and she has been hearing that for the past 8 years

.
Wade: BTW did you ever finish those bird chairs the oak ones if so we would love to see the finished product.
Colin

wade clark · #4 08-31-2006, 12:49 AM

Colin,
I haven't worked on them in months...moving, building my new barn, etc... but hope to get back on them soon.
Tomorrow I'm looking at a 3' poplar hollow log, beautiful colorful wood...maybe for another chair. the total truth is, I'm having a time posting pics or I'd have a bunch of my barn, a turtle... a few other things....and I'm very busy...but enjoying what I'm doing!
Hoping to see you in late September in PA!
Wade

Blake Lunsford · #5 08-31-2006, 06:24 AM

Goody,

What kind of wood is that that you will be carving???

Blake

Ashbys · #6 08-31-2006, 07:30 AM

*DroolS*

Just Carving · #7 08-31-2006, 08:16 AM

I'd type...this message.....faster but.....I need....to keep....draining......

the drool from.....my keyboard!!!!

Wow Goody! I gotta get down to that place. I've ordered wood from them, but I didn't know they cut right from the log. COOOL!

Wade, poplar is neat to carve from--sort of a cross between basswood and red oak. A little harder than basswood but less fuzzies but rips like red oak if you're not watching. And the colors can be wild--creams, greys, tans, whites, ivories, and an occasional tinge of pink. If I can pick my own wood out, I usually look for the strange pieces, and then let them sit until the right moment and the right project gel together. Then they can be neat. I use poplar for handles for knives, too--red oak's good too, but poplar is easier to work with.

whitecree · #8 08-31-2006, 10:58 AM

I've heard of places like that. Even a place or two where you can - if you have serious amounts of patience - have a tree grown and dedicated for your own - or your grandkids own - use.

I'd be too impatient to wait for 2 years for wood to season naturally.

Paul_Guraedy · #9 09-01-2006, 07:38 AM

Goody, wish I had somewhere relatively local like that. What are the advantages of air dry over kiln dry as far as carving wood is concerned?

Just Carving · #10 09-01-2006, 10:27 AM

Hi Paul

I was doing some research on carousel carving and I remembered you had asked a question on drying wood when I came across this:

"Slow air drying is the best way to prepare wood for working. One can buy air dried wood although you must often do it yourself, dealers don't always know for sure how their wood was dried. Kiln dried wood more easily available yet is harder to carve and tends to dull the chisels faster, the quick drying has caused the cellulose fibers to harden-up their cell walls and this means more work for you."

http://www.dentzel.com/construction/cach-2-1.htm