Geedavee is posting carvings.

GD,

I used to brush on spar varnish, let it dry, and sand in between coats - pretty labor intensive process. Later (on Benzart's advice) I started using spray shellac first, then spray varnish second. I know those two work well together, and using spray instead of brush cuts way down on time. You can do the whole thing in one day with the coats totally dry in between applications, and no sanding. You'd have to try really hard to get drips with this approach.

Your tikis are looking good!

Aaron

I just picked up about 8 cans of spray varnish at a yard sale.

I will try that on the next one I do.

Thanks for the advice.

Just to let you know that I am still hacking away out here.
Here is an update on my latest projects.

I started with this serving-type hutch I got for free on Craigslist.

I converted into the home bar I am now using in my pad.

I managed to do this with only about $30 in costs, and a lot of supplies I had around my apt.

I then bought a display cabinet at a yard sale and did a little work on it so now I have a place to display my good mugs. My pad is leaning towards Mid-century swank since I can't paint the walls any color but white.

And I also managed to carve out a quick tiki.

This was a buggy log. I find that I need to keep in practice on my carving, especially since I am using more power tools. This is my 13th tiki and I really need to get to the chops to get better. Plus I am a lazy sander.

I finally completed the Tiki was working on at the SFV chop.

Not sure what to do with the back side of the Tiki although this is my last short fat log so maybe I will have room for a headdress on the next one.

Nice, Dave! Good use of a short piece.
I remember when you were a beginner carver. :P

NIIIIICCCCEEEE SHORTY!!!! lovin this guy!!!! nice finsh too luv the two tone!!! cheerz!!

Was just taking a look at what you've been doing (very nice, BTW), and I just happened to see that you have a nice B+D Workamate. I have one and I think it's been the single greatest tool in my carving arsenal! It's great to have a carving bench that you can just pick up and take with you whenever you want.

Here is a Moai I finished today.

These are tougher than I thought. All shape and symmetry.

Here is the latest completed tiki. This is the one I was working on at CheekyGirls chop.
The design is based on a plastic toy I found.

I hope to turn this one into a lamp and adding a fez lampshade.

Anyone know how to drill straight through a tiki from head to foot?

[ Edited by: geedavee 2010-03-25 10:20 ]

[ Edited by: geedavee 2010-03-25 10:21 ]

Nice Dave - good to see this tiki somewhat finished...can't tell you how to drill for the lampshade though, sorry!

A reeaalllly long drill bit. From head down 1/2 way and then from the feet up 1/2 way. They sell really long drill bits at most hardware stores. If they don't carry a drill bit long enough you could use an extension. This bit is 7 1/2" long and the extension is another 12" long. Looks really cool tiki. Martini shaken not stirred.

Facebook
If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything

[ Edited by: Tikilizard 2010-03-25 11:45 ]

love that tiki man
Looks like Hef.

Just a quick update on the tiki lamp.

I managed to drill a hole from top to bottom to run the cord. Keeping it straight and removing the gunk were the big challenges.

Here it is.

No flash

With Flash

I also found a 5ft. long drill bit today which I will buy if I decide to do some really big lamps.

Pretty Cool Tiki Lamps! Different and well done.

Love the fez!!

Very cool!

Aloha Geedavee!

After talking to you about your fez-wearing tiki lamp at the last Rumpus Room, it's great to see a pic of it! Turned out awesome!

Great to see your progress as a carver throughout this thread, too! Keep up the good work!

Oh, did you carve the tikis on the side of your bar? They look pretty cool!

Eric, Thanks for checking out the lamp.

I did carve the tikis on the bar. I wish I had waited until I had more experience with carving hardwoods before I started, but what can ya do.

I still consider myself a non-artist since I don't seem to have the artistic vision to come up with my own designs, and I can't seem to grow any cool facial hair.

Perhaps I should start drinking again. I get real creative when I drink.

[ Edited by: geedavee 2010-04-16 11:58 ]

Very cool!

Nice work. Looks creative and artsy. Stay off the booze.

I like the lamp!

I know what you mean about lacking the vision to come up with a design. I have the same problem.

I don't know if drinking is the answer, though. I can get creative after a couple of drinks, but after 3 or 9 or 12 more, I start to get a little sloppy. Heh. :wink:

Will in Nor Cal

Been carving a bit lately.

This first one is a rescue log. It had some bad mold and was falling apart so I had to finish it up and seal it quickly and move on to the next one.

Next, my first attempt at a more traditional style.

The stain got a little blotchy so I will try to sand and reapply today.

These are taking me too long to carve and the wood starts to dry out before I get a chance to finish.

I managed to raise my stand up a bit to relieve my back pain. I need to do research on carving ergonomics.

Great to see this latest post Dave - wow! carving up some awesome works of art, man.

The 'moldy' tiki is cool and the traditional tiki is red-hot...Thanks for posting and talk to you soon. G

I like'em both!

Really ccccccooooooooooolllll

Got to give a guy a big high five for carving and sanding on his balcony! Good job

[ Edited by: drasticwagon 2010-07-28 18:21 ]

Dave!! I love the efin blender on the lono! That is great!
Erik the Red

You have been busy! Looks great!!!

Here is what I have been up to lately. As you can tell, these are deeply inspired by 4WD designs, although I can't seem to do them as well as he does.
These are my first attempts at a wall hanging tiki, which I find, are much easier to carve.

I also built a mug shelf for the bulk of my collection.
I have added a door to protect from quakes, but my camera died on me so no new pics for a bit.

Time to get back to carving.

Nice, Dave!

Here is the latest work from me.

I call him Ahunkahunka.

He is also a Torchiere lamp.

Sorry about the phone-quality pics, but my camera died.
I hope to post better ones when I get access to a real camera.

ahunkahunka tiki love, lol

Very cool!

That is too cool! Be sure to post more pics when you get the camera going.

love the elvis. super cool!

Love the Mug shelf, hopefully it's as strong as it looks.
neat Elvis Tiki.

I borrowed a camera so here are a few updated pics.

I also converted this guy to a lamp.

[ Edited by: geedavee 2011-01-10 12:22 ]

[ Edited by: geedavee 2011-04-11 21:18 ]

Well I am still carving so here is an update on what I have been up to.

I finished this a few months ago, but never posted it.

I just completed this one this week. He is a little over 5 ft.

I was just goofing around with this old spoon. Hopefully people get the joke.

I like the Tiki spork! I think it's a great idea since it is a light weight and space saving alternative to the spoon and fork set...

It's been a while since I posted anything new. Here is what I have been working on lately.

Aargh Matey!

Almost time to restock the log pile.

Aloha Davee
You have some incredible work i love the fez lamp and the elvis tiki can't wait to see more thanks for the inspiration.

Good start, like the lamp...

Awesome stuff, quite an impressive mug collection.

Dig the new tiki styles you are creating (elvis and pirate)

Oops! A year has gone by and no posting of my latest work. I guess I have been spending too much time on Facebook.

Here are the carvings that I have been doing.

First is a little quick one to get back into the carving

This guy is a lamp holder about 5 feet tall. The float lamp lights up.

Tiki Bob here is about 2 1/2 feet tall

This one was carved for the Tonga Hut 55th anniversary art show.
He is a 4 ft. tall version of the Tonga Hut Big Mo mug complete with
straw, umbrella and flickering light to create a flaming tiki drink.

All of these are for sale except the little one. PM me if you are interested.
Local pick up only in SoCal. Sorry, I can't ship these.

Stuff's lookin' good!

Me like

Jon

Time for another update. Here is what I have been up to lately.

Just for practice, I knocked this one out.

He holds the rum.

Then I just finished this one

That's it for now.

Just a few quick updates.

First a quick one because I found some log cuttings so I grabbed a few.

Next is my entry for the Tonga Hut North Hollywood Tiki Bob Art Show held on March 23rd 2014.

He is still for sale if anyone is interested.

Here is a video for the full effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMkOC8Y2Ln0

I will keep chopping away.

[ Edited by: geedavee 2014-03-28 16:15 ]