Bandsawing Roughouts

[Claude]

Several members have commented about the difficulty of cutting both front and side aspects of a carving with a bandsaw. I was cutting out some walnut tonight and took a couple of photos that I hope will show you one way I consider easy. I'm roughing out a stylized bird.

In the first photo, I hung one end of the board off the edge of the saw table, so you could see the cut part hanging down slightly on the top side of the bird's left wing. The edge cuts have all been made at this point and the masking tape is holding it all together. I should note, the bottom of each wing was cut up to the body, and then the saw was turned off so I could back the blade out of the cut. As it turns out, the saw kerf was closing up, and I couldn't easily slide it out, so I used one of those magic tools: I stuck a round toothpick into the cut at the edge of the board, which held the kerf open just enough to easily slide the wood off the blade...

In the second photo, you can see the final cutout after the front side cutting is done. Now, all I have to do is carve the bird without breaking the wing off!

Claude

[tucker1931]

Gotta give ya credit Claude, I've made several attempts at cutting blanks, the blanks seem to turn out all right but danged if I can carvre them from a blank, I just pick up a piece of wood and start hackin.
Cliff

[Riverman]

Thanks Claude, I tried cutting out blanks and most of the time I cut out to much. I will try the tape and the magic tool next time.
Bob

[Thomp]

claude,

it seams most folks that have trouble worry about cutting the sideview before their done with the frontview...
or the other way around,

i use my scrollsaw for most the things i cut out, under 2x2x16" becuse the blade can be turned around so easily,

im still a little shakey with my bandsaw cuz the blades are so much thicker, but never the less if you feel the saw binding up, you can turn it off back out the blade and make a relief cut or two to get back in the tight curves,,,

i always saw out roughouts 1/8 to 1/16th" bigger than the pattern,
yea, their is a little more skim carving on the figure, but when done it looks right,,,

[Iowa Carver]

When I cut a double profile out I use the tape it back together method. The more I carve the more I hate carving a double profile. I find it easier just using a side profile anymore. More wood to remove but I like the results more.

Corey

[Nancy-G]

It wouldn't work on a bird with wings but when I'm cutting a Santa or any folk figure ......
After I cut the front and side views, I set the saw on a 45 degree angle and CAREFULLY slice off what I can from all four sides.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Thanks for sharing Claude. I use tape also.

Dave

[vacation212]

Thanks foe sharing,I use the same method.

[Hugh-P]

new to me, looks good, thanks for sharing. !!!!!!

[therenow]

can anyone advise me on the preferred band saw blade for creating a rough out. I carve cowboys (not so hot there) and what is the best blade for that relative to teeth per inch, blade thickness, etc.