Post #151513 by Aaron's Akua on Thu, Apr 7, 2005 11:47 AM

Aloha carvers,

We’re always working on our techniques, maybe now would be a good time to share a little. This is how I’m going about it these days.

1. Chainsaw cuts for the log ends. Makita UC3500.
2. 4-1/2” angle grinder with Lancelot chainsaw disc for removing bark and rough shaping & smoothing the log.
3. 4-1/2” angle grinder with 24 up to 60 grit sanding disk to level the log ends and smooth the sides.
4. Japanese style pull saw for deep cuts (like the mouth).
5. Chisels for all the rough-out work and shallower depth cuts.
6. Die grinder with drum sanders and course sanding sleeves to smooth up all of the detail, anywhere and everywhere I can get to. My die grinders are air operated, but I think I’d recommend electric instead.
7. Tungsten carbide burrs different shapes for all the nooks and crannies that I couldn’t reach with the drum sanders.
8. Hand sanding with those rubber wedge things to get inside all of the detail areas - 60, 100, then 150 grit.
9. Random orbital sander for all of the other areas - 60, 100, then 150 grit.

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Here are some new tools that I’m thinking of buying to improve the process.

1. Flexcut Draw knife.
2. Quarter-tip carving bar for the chainsaw. Regular (not anti-kickback ¼ pitch chain).
3. Kutzall Extreme 4” wheels for work in-between the Lancelot/Squire & sanding disc stage. This would be used mainly on larger pieces. Course, medium, or fine? Which would be most useful? These are also pretty expensive.
4. Arbortech mini-carver with Arbortech mini discs.
5. mini Kutzall Extreme wheels. for use with the Arbortech mini-carver.
6. Squire mini chainsaw disc (mounts solo or tandem with the Lancelot).
7. Kutzall extreme burrs. The burrs I have are the cheap Chinese ones, and I think these will cut lots faster. Not sure which ones to get. They are pretty expensive. Which shapes are the most useful? Extra course, course, medium, or fine?
8. Roto chisels for use with a straight die grinder. Chainsaw carvers use these to come up with textures like hair for grizzly bears. What’s the best shape for all around use?

Mahalo to anyone who can answer some of these questions before I spend all of my $$$ on them…

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Here’s some tools that I’ve seen, and would like to know more if anyone here has used them:

1. Thor transparent disc.
2. Imperial power chisel.
3. Arbortech Woodcarver.

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Would anyone else like to share their methodology? Comments? Advice???

Mahalo,

A-A