Post #252357 by Bay Park Buzzy on Mon, Sep 4, 2006 8:27 PM

By special request...

Tutorial #1: Tiki drafting & Mass removal
I want to take a huge, sweeping chunk out of this log

I draw a center line with a handy 4' drywall tsquare

I saw some drywallers using one of these one time and I knew I needed one. Comes in handy for tall tikis

After I make the center line, I make a grid one ruler width away from the centerline, many times in each direction

The next thing that I do is freehand one side of the curve. Where my curve hits a grid line on the left, I put a hash mark on the right, corresponding grid

I do this at each intersection, and then connect the dots. It should look the same on both sides

Everything to the right of the line will now be removed

I use a log stump with a gouge in it to hold the log in place while I chainsaw

I start by making a series of scores between the two lines. I keep the saw blade as level as possible, trying to stay between the lines

I stop real close to the line on both sides, keeping the saw blade level

here is the whole thing scored

I could take it all out with the chainsaw, but it scares me to use it. I use chisels to hack out the chunks. It goes pretty fast

I try to space the scores as wide as the chisel that I will use to remove it with. Two sizes here: Man or wimp sized

After all is removed, I take it down as smooth as possible with the chainsaw. I kind of let the teeth "peel out" and move it side to side to prevent it from digging in.

the last step is to smooth the surface marks left by the saw

I use my largest gouge to do this. A flat chisel will work too, just watch the angle, don't go too deep

it's this smooth when i'm done

More later.