Post #171538 by Aaron's Akua on Tue, Jul 12, 2005 10:08 PM

You're all too kind!

Spermy, mahalo my friend. Glad to see you're back from the islands (physically). As soon as your jack of all trades wife Laura is through with you, we expect to see many tikis from the both of you.

Rodeo, my secret is lazers. You'd be amazed how fast you can carve a tiki with a lazer. Really though, it's the pull saws.

Raffertiki, hats off to your "Boai". Thanks for the comps too!

BambooBen, I don't know about halfway art. I've got lots of half finished projects, but they're all "Honey-dos".

Funny story: A co-worker of mine lives in HB. Lately he's been taking a shortcut to work. He's like, "Man I was driving by this place in HB. There's these crazy looking people with a tow truck & a giant palm tree, and they're cutting this log right on the truck with a HUGE chainsaw like this big!" (arms spread wide). So, I'm deducing he must be talking about Bamboo Ben's. And I'm also deducing that giant palm's got something to do with the back pain? Am I right??? Get better, man. No one likes a bum back.

Benz, YOU are the master of master carvers. I'm still feeling decidedly beginnerish. But THANKS!!!

Surfintiki, funny you should mention parting tools. I only had a 90 deg, "V", which isn't the greatest parting tool. But that will all change shortly. I've spent my last few lunch breaks conferring with Ben and ordering tools. Trust me, if you come across 500 clams to spend on tools, call Ben. He'll have it spent for you in no time. Love ya, Benzie!

By Friday I should have a new Foredom 1/8 hp reversible flex shaft power carver, motor hanger, reciprocatng handpiece, flexshaft rough out chisels for the recip, some Kutzall rough 1/4" shaft burrs, a new power sharpening kit, + a few other choice tools. AAAAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!

Hewey and Mr. Gambino, mahalo for the kind words and encouragment!

Welcome, Jones. Just jump right in. You can do your sketch right on the log and start carving - it's all good. I do my sketches in CAD and plot them full scale, then cut out the paper for templates to transfer the lines to the log. If I didn't do CAD or have access to a large printer, I'd probably sketch the side view on the log, then use trace paper (onionskin), cut it out, then flip the paper around backwards and use it for a template on the other side. That way both sides match exactly. It's also good to level both log ends first and use a grinder or chainsaw to smooth down amy big bumps or irregularities on the outside of the log. Keep a centerline sketched on the log as you go, and you will keep everything tight. But don't get hung up on any of this. Just carve and post pix - we'll all help you out as you go.

8 FT, It's for a neighbor and will go up on their balcony, so it'll be safe. But I know what you're talking about. Any tikis in my front yard will be chained, lagged, or cemented in. I don't want to be the next guy posting on the "Stolen Tiki Alert" post!

Thanks Tikiwahine, but this is Mr. "Lono"."Ku" will be up soon, though. :) Hey, I saw your post - I just knew you'd get started here in the Creating Forum, you've been loitering for awhile! And don't forget, we all know about that chisel set you've been hiding!

Ben, your tikis have the nicest asses on TC!! Mr Lono's looking a bit square in the hindquarters, but he'll get some back soon!!!

Stay posted....

A-A