Post #109083 by Polynesiac on Wed, Aug 18, 2004 9:37 PM

has any one had palm wood seep out some sticky goo after you cut it off with a chainsaw?

I'm guessing this goo you're talking about is water. That's the only goo I've experienced from mexican fan palm that was freshly (within a month or so) cut. I haven't carved any other type of palm yet

is that goo a bad sign?

ONce again I'm assuming it's water, so no. When the water gets really heavy, I usually let that paticular tiki sit overnight, then start carving again (I'm not quite sure what happens with the water - either it evaporates or seeps out - but it's gone the next morning. I then start hacking away again until I get so deep that the water comes back. I usually have a couple things going at the same time...)

how can you tell if the piece is good to carve or is rotten?
Good question, I have no idea. As far as I've discovered...I haven't gotten a rotten piece yet. Terimites, yes, rotten, no. TT? Chiki? Gecko? Ben?

does it stink when rotten?
I would assume, yes. Mexican Fan tends to stink more while it's still drying and confined in a place with mediocre ventilation. Once it's dry, it still stinks but it's not as odiferous. (I love that word...and I'm drunk)

for storing, should you remove the bark or leave the bark on.
I usually remove the bark (or husk the dead ends of the palm leaves) when I'm ready to carve the piece.

i here everyone likes to have the wood dry out for a while, why?
Not sure with the palm. I usually like to carve it wet - it seems to hold detail better. (once again, I'm talking about mexican fan here) When it's dryer it tends to flake more inbetween the fibers and you really need to burn them well to keep them in place.

thanks for any help

Sure octane, I hope my ramblings helped. Though, if I were you, I'd wait for Ben or Chiki or TT to post and go straight to theirs. I know I am. :) and then read your replies. :) and get all kinds of good hints!]
keep on carving...I can't wait to see what you can do with palm wood. I may just hang up my chisels and buy your stuff instead!