Carving Palmwood questions - Tiki Carving

TM Tiki Mon Member Satellite Beach, FL Joined: Oct 28, 2003 Posts: 71	TM Tiki Mon Posted posted on Tue, Oct 28, 2003 7:36 PM Sounds like a great find! We don't get much coconut up here on the Space Coast - but when we do the tikis always turn out gorgeous. Rich, deep, brown color and easy to carve too. Anyway, your drying plan is a pretty good one. I'd recommend at least six months curing, even longer for thicker stock. Ideally, one year is probably closer to a "full cure". If you skin the palm it will certainly cure faster but you risk cracks. Some cracking is normal and adds character to the tiki...right? Anyway, in Florida mold happens. You can always treat mold with a bleach-water solution. As far as tools are concerned; you'll find palmwood is very fiberous. Against the grain is easy and clean, with the grain and your problems will begin. Standard hardwood chisels are fine, it's your technique that will need modification. Best of luck! Tiki Mon

Sounds like a great find! We don't get much coconut up here on the Space Coast - but when we do the tikis always turn out gorgeous. Rich, deep, brown color and easy to carve too. Anyway, your drying plan is a pretty good one. I'd recommend at least six months curing, even longer for thicker stock. Ideally, one year is probably closer to a "full cure". If you skin the palm it will certainly cure faster but you risk cracks. Some cracking is normal and adds character to the tiki...right? Anyway, in Florida mold happens. You can always treat mold with a bleach-water solution. As far as tools are concerned; you'll find palmwood is very fiberous. Against the grain is easy and clean, with the grain and your problems will begin. Standard hardwood chisels are fine, it's your technique that will need modification. Best of luck!

Tiki Mon

Post #57415 by Tiki Mon on Tue, Oct 28, 2003 7:36 PM