Post #507800 by PutiTiki on Fri, Jan 29, 2010 7:47 AM

So after many moons I have returned to TC. I started a new job in the fall and I'm sad to say I have not channeled my tiki passion since the warm days of summer. However, the tiki fire was recently re-ignited after booking vacation for the grand opening of the Tiki Bar in Solomon's Island http://www.tikibarsolomons.com/Home.aspx a recent tradition I started. So I return to TC with some questions before starting things back up again.

I have 4 nice sized logs in my garage - 2 white cedar and 2 some sort of pine. The cedars are bone dry and unfortunately cracked all over but still carve-able while the pines are rock hard and sap covered.

The temperature are mid 30s around me and my garage isn't too much warmer - is that too cold to carve? Will cold wood damage chisels? I want to let some chips fly this weekend but the pines are like rock (I doubt they are completely dried out despite being cute down in June) while the cedar is dry and cold.

Anyone carve in cold temps? Any recommendations? I've been scouring TC posts the past few days and the creative juices are flowing.

-PutiTiki