Post #237984 by LowKat on Thu, Jun 15, 2006 12:16 PM

TIKI #3

Scored 3 pieces of Cottonwood that are all about 18-20" in diameter and nearly knot free. One is 2' tall and the others are 3' and 5'

Got #3 tiki drawn out on the 3 footer. Started carving but realized it was looking a lot like Bart Simpson. Changed the eye shape in mid-carve to get rid of "Bart" This stuff carves like butter and is nearly white when raw. Didn't hardly need sanding. Used a 1-1/4" flat chisel and shaved almost the entire piece.

Got him done but haven't applied a finish yet. Probably going to use Linseed oil but no stain.

WHAT I LEARNED.

#1 A 5 foot chunk of fresh cut wood weighs in at about 500-600 lbs
#2 If sitting on your work while carving, USE A BUTT PAD.
#3 Carve the deepest parts first, saves recarving it several times.
#4 Start early in the day because it's hard to stop.
#5 Hide carving area, every Tom, Dick, Harry stops, then slow to leave.
#6 Need to get some scoop chisels.
#7 Modifying the original drawing during mid-carve can be done.

[ Edited by: LowKat 2012-11-26 22:49 ]