Carving wood question

[autobodyman]

Saw this in a catalog,

and thought it was kind of a cute idea for a bird feeder but it's only 12" tall. I was thinking I could carve a larger version. A tree trimming friend of mine told me he had some wood on his trailer he hasn't gotten hauled away yet. I went out and looked at them today. I figure for this a piece 21x18 by about 30" tall would work.

This piece is 31" to where they cut it.



The ends don't look to good, separating. But there are some longer sections on here as well so I think something might work. I believe these are Elm, Chinese or Siberian Elm or possibly cottonwood, I'll ask him when I talk to him later in the week. I didn't want to bother him on a Sunday, see if at some point he could bring the trailer by the woodshop so we could roll a couple of these off.

Anyway my question for some of you experienced chainsaw carvers, do you think this wood will be any good for my moose feeder?

Should I trim the ends and seal with anchorseal or something and wait a few years for the log sections to dry some or just jump in and start carving?

I've only done a few chainsaw carvings and they were from pine, I don't generally have much access to any hardwoods around here but thought it might be nice, not being out of pine.

Thanks ~Mike

[Donsexton]

As I always tell all of you NO you don’t have to wait for it to dry, that wood is dry enough. As far as the cracks in the growth rings that is wind shakes and is just what logs do they all do that with out exception. That wood will do just fine for what you want to carve, so get after it. No need for sealing or waiting for curing or drying just crank the saw. Show us pictures as you work we love that or I know I do.

[Dileon]

That is a awesome moose!! Can not wait to see the big one!

[autobodyman]

My tree trimming buddy dropped off the logs I had picked out the other day. They are Chinese/Siberian Elm (not really sure which)
I got them moved and squared off, probably not necessary for an experienced chainsaw carver but then I'm not very experienced.

The size of the block I ended up with was 19"x14"x31" so I was only able to double the size, not triple like I originally wanted. Probably just as well as the bar on my larger chainsaw is only 20"

I took photos of my subject from 2 directions and then traced the photos in CorelDraw and sized to fit my block.


Pictured above where I got yesterday afternoon. Below were I quit this afternoon.


I probably could have gone more with the chainsaws but I think tomorrow I will switch to my 4½" grinder with an oriented carbide disk, I think that will be easier to control at this point if it doesn't plug it up.

(Limited to 4 pics, continued....)

[autobodyman]

Got some ring separation about 30 rings from the core the dark area on this side of his head. I squeezed out 1 ounce of CA glue on the area, not sure if that will really help much.


I'll be carving the other antler when I'm closer to finished with this and attach it.

I didn't really realize how much I left on the left side of his butt till I went over these pics, could have done a bit more with the chainsaw I guess. I'll see how fast the grinder removes tomorrow, if it's to slow may have to chainsaw some more.

What do you think so far?
Thanks ~Mike

[STAR]

I am impressed, I can see by hook or by crook you are going to get there. What is more important you took a 12 inch concept and look like creating a successful outcome of your moose.

I will be waiting for the experienced carvers to chip in, more than likely they are just getting off the floor. I especially like the way you drew the outline on the wood.

"What did you use to mark it out, it really stands out?

Pete

Please show us the Carbide disc that you will be using , please?

[Dan Wegiel]

Lookin' good so far! Love the grain in that wood too!

Dan

[Donna_T]

Yikes, that's coming along wonderfully. What a way to conceptualize and increase the carving drastically in size. I'm in awe--don't think I could do that, especially with a chain saw!!

Can't wait to see it finished.

My son makes furniture out of native timber--cedar and such, and ifhe has too big of a crack that can jeopardize the integrity of the item, he fills the crack with epoxy (mixed with a little of the sawdust). It's hardly visible, strengthens the piece. and adds to its longivity.

I love, love, love the carving.

Donna_T

[autobodyman]

Originally Posted by STAR

I am impressed, I can see by hook or by crook you are going to get there. What is more important you took a 12 inch concept and look like creating a successful outcome of your moose.

I will be waiting for the experienced carvers to chip in, more than likely they are just getting off the floor. I especially like the way you drew the outline on the wood.

"What did you use to mark it out, it really stands out?

Pete

Please show us the Carbide disc that you will be using , please?

Thanks Pete,

I just traced around the pattern I made with a wide tipped felt tipped marker (Sharpie)


This side I used some black spray paint because I was into the bark and couldn't really draw the lines with the marker on those parts.

I'll take a picture of my grinder later today and hopefully some more progress pictures and post it this evening.

Thanks ~Mike

Originally Posted by Dan Wegiel

Lookin' good so far! Love the grain in that wood too!

Dan

Thanks Dan.

Originally Posted by Donna_T

Yikes, that's coming along wonderfully. What a way to conceptualize and increase the carving drastically in size. I'm in awe--don't think I could do that, especially with a chain saw!!

Can't wait to see it finished.

My son makes furniture out of native timber--cedar and such, and ifhe has too big of a crack that can jeopardize the integrity of the item, he fills the crack with epoxy (mixed with a little of the sawdust). It's hardly visible, strengthens the piece. and adds to its longivity.

I love, love, love the carving.

Donna_T

Thanks Donna,
I've done the epoxy with sawdust thing on some other projects and it does work pretty well. If it's necessary I will do it on this however at the moment this wood is pretty green so I will just try to get threw the carving process and hope it holds together till I'm done and then deal with and major cracks after it's dried out.

Thanks ~Mike

[STAR]

Thanks for posting the W.I. P. photos. A picture says a thousand words.

Well done!

Pete