Thread: ChainSaw Carvings

Looks good Gabbyg

What sort of timber is it?

What chainsaw did you use?

Great looking piece, Gabby. What size is he?

I've met a couple chainsaw carvers around here. One is a former neighbour; the other a chap from Michigan (IIRC) on a selling and production expedition. For some unknown reason, they seem to concentrate on bears.

Other favoured tools are Lancelot and Arbortech in a right-angle grinder, and a really neat little belt sander: 1" (~25mm) wide with a long-nose reach; Makita I think, and $$$. King Arthur Tools also makes a smaller version of Lancelot, called "Merlin" or something like that, with a separate driver.

Joe

Hi there Bob and Joe, Thanks for your comments. Now to answer your questions. Kookaburra is about 3' 6" high and carved from cypress. I have six chainsaws of different 'breeds' but my most favourite and by far the best one for detail carving is my Echo ES2700 with a GB carving bar 1/4" sprocket and 1/4" pitch chain. I run the chain a little looser than you would for general chainsawing as the tip of the bar is rather narrow and heats up really quickly if the chain is run too tight. I say the Echo ES2700 is my favourite because it is low vibration and very light. This does not mean that the other 'breeds' are not good, I would love to give the Stihl a chance as I have heard a lot of good reports and they make a small model similar to the Echo. I should mention, for those who want to give carving a go with a chainsaw, Please do not just pick up a chain saw and push it to limits it was not meant to, you won't get any second chances as a chainsaw is unforgiving if missused. Check with your supplier or service technician for the correct set up required for 'your' chainsaw and have them set it up and test it for you. Because there was not another chainsaw carver any where near me I had to do a lot of research and talk to dozens of folk in the industry and locate chainsaw carvers to make sure I was on the right track with equipment and equipment choice. All of this before I even picked up a chain saw. I should add that I am, by no means, an expert, and any information about chainsaw carving is not intended to be interpreted as professional advice, I only share information based on experience, and fueled by the passion of carving and the smell and feel of the sawdust/chips falling about my feet, in my hair, down my shirt and in my boots.
If you are looking for professional advice you really do need to source a professional chainsaw operator or sales representative.

Joe I use other tools as you have suggested as I prefer to add extra detail to my carvings and the smoother look is much more appealing. Some purist chainsaw carvers don't agree. However I believe those who choose to use other tools whether hand or powered are more akin to the finer detail carving requires and the completed works are more in line with 'art works'. I have a lot of arbourtech, grinders, sanders and hand tools, I also use air tools, whatever the finish required is what determines what tool I will pick up and use. A lot of it is trial and error, all a learning experience and loads of fun. It sounds as though you have some 'inside' knowledge there Joe, have you ever chainsaw carved? And yes there are literally hundreds of chainsaw carvers in USA and bears have always been really popular as they do sell well I believe. Here in Australia:aussie3: there is only a few chainsaw carvers, that I know of, although I do hope that this forum will bring the quiet achievers out of the woodwork.
I will be travelling to the USA next Feb March to attend a chainsaw carving event to be held in Ridgway Pennsylvania and then, hopefully, will travel on up to Canada where there are a number of extremily talented carvers with whom I would love to spend some time with.

Mostly second-hand "inside" knowledge, Gabby. I lean more toward "mathematical" sculpture, with precisely defined surfaces and edges - not too compatible with chainsaws. Such as this:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=41341

I've used the Lancelot on logs in lieu of planing, or as a precursor to planing or sanding. After heaps of practice to develop a light touch, I almost don't need the belt sander. I've had best results by "blueprinting" against a piece of plate glass: Smear paint (any colour actually) on the glass, rub on the timber, and grind off the marked parts "printed" by the glass. The technique originated in metalworking.

Most of my chain saw use is now for preparing turning blanks from raw timber, although I still have a few more trees designated to be felled. I have 8 saws in active use, and a few backups. All electric, except for 2 presently inactive. I sharpen all of the 8 in a marathon session, to avoid interruptions for sharpening. Lest you overestimate my fortune, they were all garage sale scores at US$5-20 each. One of the gassies was even a roadside orphan.

Joe

I run a mud brick, red gum furniture, solar powered cafe in northern Victoria and I am looking for chainsaw carvers to do a specific piece of work for display as well as demonstrate to an enthusiastic audience. Is anyone interested? We run a B&B as well, so we can happily accommodate 3 or 4 people. We also have a good supply of red gum on our property - grey box as well, but there may not be any takers for carving it!
Even if you know of someone who would be interested, please reply.

We are not far from Echuca - are you interested GabbyG?

Sue

Welcome to you Gabby G. I'm a bit of a chainsaw carving fan. Don't do oi but admire the skill. Well done!!!

Wunghnu Sue you are also welcome to the land of woodies. Haven't been through your neck of the woods for a long time. Prettty area.

I love chainsaw carvings and that looks great I also make log and slab rustic furniture.and welcome

Tried chainsaw carving a kookaburra once,
but it was just too damn quick

nice one Gabby,
quick question, where can you pick up carving bars in OZ? you know the ones with the wee small end sprocket?

Originally Posted by underfoot

Tried chainsaw carving a kookaburra once,
but it was just too damn quick

The trick is to have the chainsaw running before the bird lands, otherwise you will frighten the kookaburra when your pulling the chord to start the chainsaw.

Hi GabbyG,

Love your Kookaburra! I'm impressed at your bravery too. Takes a lot of confidence to weild a chain saw around.

Clare.

Gabby, I design and construct cross country courses for equestrian events. I require a carving of a mountain duck for a jump, it has to be about 1.2 metres high. I need a price and availability. I am currently at Horsley park at the Olympic Equestrian Centre.

Hi GabbyG,

Are you interested in doing some carving at a festival in Wycheproof in October? We are looking for some interesting displays and think your kooaburra is great. What other items have you done?

i had my first go at it last weekend and quite enjoyed it. i will be doing more for sure.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f10/carving-75272

it is yet to be finished i just got the basic shape done.

I was at the Rosewood Show in Qld a few years ago competing on my stock horse. When my events were over and I had fed and watered my horse I went to the bar and heard this commotion outside.

They were having an auction on many of the show exhibits and there were several there done by a chain saw carver that was commissioned as part of the rural show.

The one that interested me was a giant frog that he had made out of hardwood. When this item came up for auction the auctioneer did not call it a frog but came up with the idea that he might be able to get a few more dollars by calling it " Wally " the cane toad".

Now, like all auctions, there is always one person who wants to go head to toe with you, fortunately, he dropt out out $75 and I went to $80. It is amazing what a few beers will do to you.

Fortunately, when I got home the next day and presented Wally to SWMBO she was elated and now Wally has a very important corner on our deck.

ps. GO THE MAROONS.