Will carve

sweet...glad everything worked out ok...

between the size and the medium...I'm really lookin' forward to seeing this one play out & hearing what you think of how that darker, inner "heartwood" carves...

Let the fun begin

WHOA! That's one helluva log!

As Tom would say.
"That's a good start"

niiice...

Don't forget - "Carve Deeper" - I know that you take that as a personal challenge!

And so it begins...

All that carving and not one wood chip Will, you really are a master.

I didn't see posted what kind of wood it is? I like the natural flare at the top. I have no doubts you will work wonders with it Will.

Looking good already.

SHEEE-it !!! That IS a good start!

Funny you see no chips, Cy.
When I don't know what to carve next I sweep up,
& hope it comes to me.
I sweep up a lot.
Mike this is the freshest Cypress I've ever carved.
This log was just cut down. The wood crys when I sink the chisel in.
It was picked out for the bell at the bottom,
now the headdress.
I don't know what will happen when it dries,
but it carves like a green apple now.
So far a real pleasure.

so, no "plywood" feel eh?

glad you're likin' it.

I think he fingered out the solution to carving Cypress - you have to carve it fresh, while its wet. He's keeping it covered to keep the moisture in. The wood is carving nicely, it will be interesting to watch this dry. I'm thinkin the more he carves the fewer cracks will form, because the wood will have the ability to twist and stretch. For now it looks awesome and will only get better as he progresses.

yeah, cypress definitely likes cracking...

the funny thing is that in that last shot it doesn't look that big...lol...

Look'n good Will , I've carved plenty of cypress and have found that it varies heaps depending on the species.
Carved a piece out of Italian blue cypress recently which was great stuff but I might give Tom's theory a crack.

I take no credit. I just hang out and drink beer while Will comes up with the bright ideas. Ideas are tossed around and blended together - so I guess you can give credit to the beer and dirty air!

I don't know what kind of cypress this could be.
So far I like it.
It is starting to crack all ready.
I cover it to keep it out of the sun.
I don't want it to crack till I'm done.
Sure got a lot of wood here.

Perfection in the making.

Looking good.

I've got a good start on the headdress.
Some eye candy to get the wknd started.

Looks GREAT Will!

damn Will...that is looking SICK....

it's really funny how in the pics you can't tell that it's an 8 foot monster with a 2-foot-thick head!

[ Edited by: pjc5150 2013-04-26 10:28 ]

Smooth!

Very nice.

Wow! Eye candy for sure! Incredible job. So this is still green? When was the log cut?

Symetry is amazing on this guy! Excellent craftmanship sir!

McTiki

will have lots of eye candy

jon

I Figure this tree was cut down
in the first 2 wks of March.
It couldn't have been fresher.
It still takes sharp tools.
Specially as I get down to the details.
If not the wood just crushes,crumbles & breaks.

wow....

awesome Will....

Big guy's look'n awesome Will !

Will, in this picture he looks like he has an Elvis hairdo :), such a nice carving.

Another masterful job Will carve, that grain is really going to look great finished.

He's looking great. Better support him in the middle. Don't want to break his neck.

That is not going to break anytime soon. The pigtails are as thick as a baseball bats and the neck is thicker than most trees we carve!

very cool Will, definitely a rockabilly vibe going on with the headdress!

Well I think I'm done.
It hasn't been EZ.
I crushed a finger & trashed the muscles
in my neck, but,
aside from that it has been an honor & privilege
to carve this log. Every one who sees it is
amazed by the beauty of it. They want to touch it.
Hope it photos better when it is standing.

Those photos have to be faked!!! No one is that good! :D Awesome Awesome Awesome!!!

Remarkable Will....from our standpoint it's well worth all of YOUR pain and suffering.
Anxious to see it all finished up.

Send to GROG. :wink:

No, send to FROG as in Island. Outstanding work Will!

bravo Will...that is EPIC...

I'm proud just to have been a tiny part of it...

I'm assuming you haven't stained or poly'ed it or anything yet??

That dude is killer! Good work!

ditto what hiltiki said

Holy kick ass
U kick ass

Jon

About the finish, I'm done.
I used Cypress because I knew it would live out side
& that wood can take it.
I have no luck staining Cypress.
I compare it often to Ply Wood.
Some parts stain some don't. It gets blotchy.
Carves like Ply Wood too.
I would never poly something for out side
it would flake off sooner than later.
I'm not a big fan of Thompson Water Seal.
But I had a Quart, I tried it. It soaked it up nice.
Gave it a good color and lubricated the wood to
allow the chisel to slide thru. Problem is it
clogs the sand paper.
I put it in a Windex bottle, just sprayed it on.
Then I hit it with a hose.

[ Edited by: Will carve 2013-05-14 15:13 ]

When should GROG expect it to arrive at GROG' cave?