Post #310733 by timidtiki on Sun, Jun 3, 2007 6:13 PM

NEWS ALERT - TIKI RESISTS CARVING, BITES CARVER

A learning experience from a beginning carver - don't try this at home!

While working on my petrified whale bone incense burner (about 3 inches high and 2 inches deep), I experienced a little mishap as shown below.

First the culprit - the tiki in the very beginning stages of carving - a large 1 1/2 in core removed from the back of the stone, and four core holes defining the mouth and eyes drilled through from the front. If it all works out the smoke from the burning incense will come out through the mouth and eyes.

Next the victim - My right thumb lacerated by the stone (not the core drill) when the drill jammed in the stone and spun free - six stitches.

Lessons learned -

1. When using a large core drill, don't hold stone in hand. Use a vice to hold stone. If that is not feasible . . .

2. Wear heavy gloves while drilling out core. If that is not feasible . . .

3. Have non-friend hold the stone.

The bottom line - The tiki is fine. The thumb will heal. Ouch!