Post #120758 by McTiki on Thu, Oct 21, 2004 6:37 AM

Hey, welcome to this wonderful place. For my first (and like you, I had the fever bad) I went to Sears and bought the ole 3 pack of chisels and a rubber mallot. I found plenty of palm wood as I reside in Florida and mother nature knocked down a few for us. You can use nearly any wood type. I have seen cypress, pine, birch, even ficus. It doesn't matter much. I chose a 45" cocoa palm log, used a thick sharpie to outline the features, and started carving the moai like icon seen on "my first log" thread. You have to stand back and look at what your doing often. When you do that, more features and angles for carving appear to you. Don't be afraid to go deep. You want the features to stand out. I must have cut 40 lbs off of the featured log and now, it doesn't seem like I cut enough, but, I am on to # 2, so start with what you want first as far as size. Don't be afraid. There is so much awesome, yet, friendly talent here. Post what you are doing. You will be fine. Mahalo!