Post #120304 by tikifreak on Tue, Oct 19, 2004 5:32 AM

Aaron, the "hmmmms" and the "oops" are from when I post a reply to my own post to put it to the top of the creating tiki forum. Means nothing but something to myself.

Yeah your right, I'm done with all this once again....I'm also "over it".

Thanks for all the compliments everyone and the interesting conversation.

Aaron, my web e-mail has been down for two days. I did see that you e-mailed, but I did not have a chance to reply through the [email protected] address, so I will private e-mail you through this forum.

Anyway, here you go........

Sketch out your idea on paper. Draw it on the log. Use your BIG chisels to make your first deep cuts. Graduate to your smaller gouges and chisels. Keep'em sharp. Die grinders with good carbide bits for the detail. Palm clogs the bits and your sand paper unless it is super dry. It took me a while to realize this. Who wants to wait for a log to dry for three months...I don't. I switched to White Pine. It carves better to me and sands better. I could care less if I ever carved another palm log as long as I live. That's my own opinion. Air die grinders with big sanding sleeves for the larger sanding areas. Small mini grinders for the really small detail. Change from lower grit to higher grit sleeves. Stain with a small art/paintbrush to keep the lines from bleeding if you choose. I do not usually worry about it because I put both colors on wet and blend them in like I was blending a watercolor. No solid lines....Torch'em, paint'em...whatever. Polyurethane'em, varnish'em or whatever up with a couple of coats and let'em ride.....Sounds pretty simple to me.

That's how I do it.

Glad you like my tikis Aaron and your interest in my trade. Good luck with your future endeavor.

Keep up the good work everyone else.

Tiki G.

[ Edited by: tikifreak on 2004-10-19 06:19 ]