Carving Ironbark

[Pat]

I am currently trying to carve a cigar ashtray out of a block of Ironbark, with Arbortech Carver. I am getting burnt areas and am not making much headway. Any suggestions? :o :confused:

[multinut]

pat
could be the reason they called it ironbark
i use a large piece of ironbark as my carving bench
i found cutting it with a chainsaw was a task and a half
but every now and then i use my chisels and cut into it quite easy
this has given me a theory
when cutting or drilling metals you use a slow speed
so cutting into ironbark you should cut it slowly
try chisels (sharp ones)
good luck
cheers
multinut
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[bitingmidge]

I am currently trying to carve a cigar ashtray out of a block of Ironbark, with Arbortech Carver. I am getting burnt areas and am not making much headway. Any suggestions? :o :confused:

Perhaps you should wait till your finished before leaving cigars in it??
:D :D :D

P

[Ben from Vic.]

Start with the one on the left, if that doesn't work, try the next and so-on untill you find one that does. :eek: :D :eek:

Ben.

[echnidna]

What you are finding is typical of ironbark.
Chisels and handcarving could be a lot faster.
But an ashtray, hey ironbark is wood and it burns!!!

[Rowan]

putting a heap of lit cigars in the middle of the wood to carve it, is that what they call a controlled burn :D

[Pat]

Thanks all, I'll be getting the chisels and mallet out of retirement on the weekend. My Tallow wood cigar ashtray will soon have a partner in crime.
I enjoyed all the suggestions, especially the C-4!

Pat