There is less worried about messing up if you are carving on a free piece of wood versus a log that you spent a good amount of money on. This will help avoid errors that cannot be rectified, Always prevent your chainsaw from making contact with the ground, so your tool doesnt wear too quickly. Chainsaw carving is appealing for multiple reasons. This is how I got started: Learning and practicing chainsaw safety is a lot easier than learning how to care for a chainsaw inflicted wound to the leg or hand. Your owl is ready to admire! But for some reason, I could not stop perseverating over and over again in my head that I was forgetting something. Off I went on a determined girl-power mission to cut down a dead tree, dragged it into the yard, bucked it up, and attempted my first log carving. Sign up for our newsletter here. To protect against discolouration and fungal attack, give your wooden owl a coat of wood-sealing wax. Some of my hobbies where a bulk of my knowledge came from the internet include woodworking, cartooning, blogging, website design, writing and publishing ebooks, skiing, camping, basketball (both playing and coaching), and playing instruments like the ukulele, guitar, and piano. But speaking from my initial experience, a smaller carving doesnt necessarily mean an easier carving. So when I got home from that road trip vacation I watched just about every YouTube video on chainsaw carving that I could find. Michelle Thevenot is a chainsaw carver and artist from Osler, Saskatchewan, Canada. chainsaw carving wood carvings angel sculpture tree parsons wooden minnesota angels dave sculpting woodsculpture custom carol lee artists saw chain This is vitally important as most injuries from chainsaws occur on the left leg. However, if you are just starting off and do not want to buy yet another piece of equipment, there are quick and easy ways to stabilize your wood for when you are working. Finally I built up the courage and made my first cut. And that is how it all started. chainsaw carving wood carvings angel sculpture tree parsons wooden minnesota angels dave sculpting woodsculpture custom carol lee artists saw chain When done correctly the beginner chainsaw carver can easily find wood cheaply or for very low prices. Finishing sanding, cleaning the carving with compressed air, optional paint/stain/propane torch burning, and of course a topcoat sealer thats ideally UV and water protectant. And treat every tool like it could hurt you. Draw the outline of your sculpture onto the wood. Leave it for a few days after applying the wax. That was it. Since then, I havent looked back. This work makes small details such as the talons and individual feathers look particularly delicate and realistic. chainsaw bear carving carved 4ft tall step woodcarving A good beginner size for a log is less than three feet in length and 14 inches in diameter. Not only is using a torch almost as enpowering as using a chainsaw, by burning of the wood you eliminate all the little strands and fuzzies get left from using the chainsaw. The noble and fast-growing art of chainsaw carving dates back to the ancient art of woodcarving, modernised during the 1950s by the first chainsaw artists. That being said, electric chainsaws are much quieter than their gas counterparts and do not admit noxious exhaust fumes. So carve safe! Id encourage anyone intrigued by the artform to at least give it a try. About a year and a half ago, I picked up a chainsaw for the first time, and decided to try my hand at chainsaw carving. I think of the Chainsaw as the tool I was looking for many years ago to help me complete my woodworking art projects in a quicker and more efficient manner. I then order a book on how to chainsaw carve bears, and while waiting for that to arrive I binge watched the Netflix show Carver Kings which, if you couldnt guess, is about chainsaw carvers. I even asked if she would be willing to give me a lesson but she didnt do that kind of thing and her schedule was too busy. Again, the cuts are fairly simple and easy to understand and depending on the pumpkin or Christmas tree design that you cut, the lines are usually symmetrical. Go slowly and stand back frequently as you work, to look at the figure from a distance, Be cautious when carving: its best to make small cuts with your chainsaw. chainsaw carving bear carvings wood wooden bears tree carved sculpture log woodworking favorite google cut woodcarving saw chain patterns visit You will not cut below this line. If you are satisfied with your chainsaw carved creation, there are several ways that you can finish the wood to give it a great look. These two tools are an angle grinder and a torch. Draw a horizontal line around the entire log a few inches above the screw heads with a lumber crayon marker. Save up to 64% and get a free gift. While a healthy dose of fear and respect is needed when operating such a powerful tool, the chainsaw is a tool of more than just destruction. chainsaw carving step wood bear patterns tutorial network54 whittling carvings tree designs instructions chain saw However, as a beginner, I feel two other tools are important to help achieve a great look. chainsaw moose carving wood In addition, working on a piece of wood that may be unstable or tip over as you are cutting is unsafe. Often times they have stockpiles of wood or they can direct you to their next project where there is free wood to be had. If you dont wear a face guard, at least consider eye protection such as safety goggles. Dont skimp on safety gear. Use light movements to guide your chainsaw along the marked lines and carve away all the corners and edges this approach will give your wooden figure an appealing, natural shape. After burning the wood you can use a wire brush to achieve the desired final effect. Where did this crazy interest come from? Leave enough wood around each talon so that afterwards you can use the tip of the chainsaw guide bar to round them off beautifully. I knocked on the door of the home and asked for some logs. I print off a couple photos to look at throughout the carving process. So far all of my wood has come from tree cutting projects that I have driven by and asked if I could have some of the wood. Just getting the feel for the saw, angles, pressure, and control took about 3 full carvings of not great results before improvements started happening. But it didnt just start with a chainsaw. It combines the raw power of the chainsaw and the beauty of wood to make amazing pieces of art in relatively short periods of time. Ive worked through the kinks, found my groove, and techniques that works for me. Howard's recent writing includes covering popular culture, home improvement, cooking, health and fitness. Whether it be on vacation in Hawaii, where the seed was planted into my head that I could learn the ukulele (which I did) or while sitting on my couch watching a TV show about zombies which inspires me to make a piece of wood art (, Why Chainsaw Carving is a Great Form of Artwork, The next best corded chainsaw that I could find was the, Gas Chainsaw VS Electric Chainsaw VS Battery Chainsaw, Another great beginner project that is also practical is the log chair which only requires a few simple cuts. There you have it, a quick and easy way to have your piece of wood stabilized and elevated so that you can work safely without having to strain your back. Depending on where you live, wood logs may be plentiful or they may be difficult to obtain. I also researched the internet, searching discussion boards, and learning everything I could about chainsaw carving equipment and safety. If you dont feel like taking off the bark from the tree, the least you can do is make sure to clean off any dirt on the wood that may dull your chainsaw. Set the log upright and drill four angled pilot holes, evenly spaced around the bottom edge. But to my dismay, the batteries would last no longer than 5 minutes, some batteries only lasting 2 minutes! Just search for wood or logs and youll be surprised at what youll find in your area. Anchoring methods Ive used include attaching a wide piece of plywood screwed into the bottom center of the log to provide a wider base, or clamping it in a wood bench vise. The last step is protecting the wood so your ornament looks beautiful for a long time to come. Not only will dull blades damage the wood you are carving, but they also require more energy to work with. Add color to your sculpture, if you want it, using wood stain. We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. We have all admired the roadside chainsaw sculpture stands and have maybe even been lucky enough to see a demonstration. I ordered a chainsaw, chainsaw bar and chain oil, and a pair chainsaw chaps (protection for your legs). Sand any rough areas that you want smoothed down using an angle grinder with a sanding disc. Neither Husqvarna nor its affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. This site is for woodworking hobbyists looking for inspiration. See the diagram for details. Fully review your saws manual and have an expert give you a lesson if you have never used a chainsaw. As outlines are cut away, stop to redraw the layout often. If you are interested in learning to carve, make sure you are fully versed in the technical and safety practices of using a chainsaw before embarking on a project. I had my lines drawn and I was ready to roll. Get yourself a nice fire pit for all your mistakes, learn from your mistakes, enjoy the fruits of your errors, and roast a marshmallow. Use a chisel, or a similar tool, to chip out the remaining wood and you are done. Oftentimes, you can find crowds enthralled by live chainsaw carving demonstrations at functions such as county fairs and rodeos. That is one reason why you dont see very many people using them for chainsaw carving. Start by deciding the height of the chair. At this point, screw the plywood base into the larger log which is set on the ground. Now the wings are ready for carving out with your chainsaw. But hey, you have to start somewhere and if you mess up, its only wood! Allow yourself the grace to make mistakes and learn from them. Finally, to protect your feet you should wear sturdy footwear. Then while on the internet I found a quote that stuck with me: Would-be woodcarvers would be woodcarvers if they would carve wood.. Beams should be at least 6 inches square. When most people think about the chainsaw they think of massacres and destruction. Work slowly and stand back to check your carving work at regular intervals its easier to judge proportions from further away. I was surprised how difficult it was for me to make the leap and to actually perform that first cut into the wood. chainsaw carving step wood bear patterns tutorial network54 whittling carvings tree designs instructions chain saw While volunteering as a scoutmaster for my sons troop, I was introduced to woodcarving. The grid makes it easier to copy to the wood afterwards. It takes several sessions to complete a carving. Everything I know about chainsaw carving I learned from the internet. Find a fallen log or obtain a full log from a firewood supplier. As a beginner just getting into the art of chainsaw carving, the best type of wood to use is the easiest wood you can get your hands on. Carve out the front outline with a chainsaw. But the learning doesnt end chainsaw carving is an ongoing journey of experimentation, creative problem-solving, and personal development as an artist. And by all means, stop when tired or hurting. Work from top to bottom: start by carving out a head for your wooden owl and form it into a rounded shape with your chainsaw. From doll making to needlework, American folk art has a rich and eclectic history, and one of the most creative forms today is chainsaw sculpture. Im a guy with soft office worker hands who had never touched a chainsaw. Just getting comfortable with the chainsaw and learning control is enough of a challenge at the beginning. This sets the thickness of the legs. 5) Physical Care He received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota. With gas chainsaws you dont have to worry cords or batteries. Gasoline Chainsaw: Gas chainsaws are the tried-and-true tool for any chainsaw carver. Look up chainsaw carving on YouTube and you will have a hard time finding a professional using anything but a gasoline powered chainsaw. In the winter, depending on where you live, you may even be able to consider chainsaw ice carving as a crossover hobby. Mason Howard is an artist and writer in Minneapolis. Then I learned how to make my drawings into digital cartoons that I posted online. When working with larger, heavier pieces, theyre not likely to move with the pressure of the saw, so anchoring may not be needed during the carving process. Nevertheless, through my research I found that the best electric chainsaw around is made by Stihl, the Stihl corded chainsaw MSE 170C-BQ. Make a scale drawing. Post-carving self-care may call for additional measures at times. First use your chalk to draw a vertical line marking the centre of your owls face, and remove wood in a V shape on both sides of the line. Geared up, which provided a reassuring sense of protection, and fired the saw up. Stop and make further outlines with your lumber marker if necessary. This will clean the wood of any debris and also help you identify any nails that may be hidden in the wood. Use a pencil or a piece of chalk to draw the rough form of an owl onto the trunk. To ensure your chainsaw art is protected from the elements, we recommend the following after-treatment: To carve an owl out of wood, start by stripping the bark and sapwood so your owl is made from the strongest part of the trunk. Ive always enjoyed art. When owls are perching you can see two or three at the front of each foot; they have four talons in total, of which one is at the back and one can swivel from front to back for better manoeuvrability. This is determined by where the two initial leaning cuts meet. The power tool evokes images of crazed murderers and decimated rainforests. It is amazing, how much you can learn with the resources available on the world wide web. Protect and add a finish to your sculpture by painting it with wood sealer. Begin working your way around the log while making the vertical, horizontal and diagonal cuts necessary to remove chunks of wood from the outlined areas. The risk for injury was intimidating, so I soaked up as much info to start to feel comfortable with the idea. If you are able to, steel-toed boots are recommended. Dont cut too deep, just create small accents using the tip of your chainsaw. Husqvarna expressly disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of any the content provided, or as to the fitness of the information for any purpose. Now its time to start carving with the chainsaw. I love creating things. From my personal experience, I can usually keep up the stamina for about 2-3 hours of work before needing to take a break to recover (for both the body and the mind.) Put in ear plugs. No, I am not a lumberjack. Simple Woodworking Projects, Keep Your Fixtures Safe With the Help of the Best Stud Finders, Keep Everything Hanging Tight With the Best Hollow Wall Anchors, Allow Your Decor to Hang in There With the Best Masonry Anchors, Smoothen Rough Wooden Surfaces With the Best Belt Sander, Bid Goodbye To Manual Hammering and Nailing With the Best Finish Nailer, Rip Nails, Demolish, and Deconstruct Structures With the Best Wrecking Bars, Be Prepared for Anything With the Best Multi Tools, Cut Through Metal With the Best Cold Chisels, Paint Creatively on Your Walls With the Best Masking Tapes for Painting, Transform Your Garage Into a Cozy Workshop With the Best Garage Heaters, 40 Years in the Making: A Timeline of Popular Woodworking. I like sketching on graph paper to lay out the carving plan. Always work with a sharp chainsaw! I know many chainsaw carvers around the world would cringe at the fact that I purchased an electric chainsaw to pursue the art of chainsaw carving but I have my reasons which I will explain in detail in a future post. Chainsaw chaps are necessary to protect your legs. But no stores near me carry this chainsaw, and places that carried the chainsaw online didnt offer quick shipping. Even using a 16-inch chainsaw bar, I felt the size of the saw was just too large in comparison to the log and I often unintentionally overcut areas. Now, with all the pieces ready, I still felt pretty insecure about operating a chainsaw. Fueled by passion for innovation since 1689, Husqvarna provides professional forest, park and garden products. Carving with the chainsaw is like no other woodworking tool that I have ever used. But until that day, I think it is best to stick with gasoline or an electric corded chainsaw. This includes safety glasses, chainsaw chaps, gloves, and hearing protection. Do not cut down a living tree for your sculpture. If Im doing extra dusty work, Ill add a face mask/respirator to keep the sawdust out of my lungs. Another great beginner project that is also practical is the log chair which only requires a few simple cuts. I decided that saving money would be a good idea when my wife would inevitably ask me about why we were getting another big box with a smiley face delivered to our front door. Since most of the wood that you will be finding for free and transporting on your own wont be huge 6 foot logs, you will need to find a way to keep your logs stable. For a smooth finish, sand down your owl when youve finished the carving work. Depending on the season, other great beginner projects are pumpkins and Christmas trees. Multiple trips later I had some big logs ready to play with. In fact, before this chainsaw phase in my life I had never even touched a chainsaw. To ensure it stays looking its best, you may need to protect your chainsaw carving project against fungi and rot, depending on the type of wood you have used. I quickly grew impatient working with the small scale and wanted to work on larger projects, but lacked the necessary tools for the increased size. Some great patterns can be found, Step 6 How to Stabilize Your Wood for Cutting, My favorite tool for this purpose is called the. Make sure to leave enough space at the bottom for the seat. Our step-by-step instructions explain how to go about chainsaw carving a realistic owl from wood. Some great patterns can be found here. The lower flight feathers need to be really straight and neatly overlapping to look right. One solution to those working in conditions where noise is a concern is the electric chainsaw. If you can draw 2 outlines (1 from the front and 1 from the side perspective) it makes carving a lot easier later on. It provides opportunity to learn on a gentle learning curve, rather than jumping right into a complex 3D animal to start with. Performance and usability meet safety and environmental care in our leading-edge innovations, where battery solutions and robotics lead the way. Well, lets add another hobby to that list: chainsaw carving. I had a great time carving off large chunks of wood until I realized I was cutting too much wood off. On top of that the chainsaw is not cheap, costing over $300. Now Im making my own unique designs! Finding an area to work where the noise wont drive your neighbors bonkers will be important to the longevity of your newfound hobby. Redraw the grid where cut off, draw the side outline, and carve out the side profile. This is best achieved by starting your carving from the middle of the heart (or back of the owl) and working outward. Every time, folks are more than willing to part with their wood. The final cut: Lay the chair down on the side and cut straight in, aim precisely for the previous cut and you are done! After watching a few YouTube videos and power-carving groups on Facebook, I decided to start small with a rotary tool. I know the professionals preferred trusted chainsaw brands like Stihl and Echo. Being self-taught has provided some really insightful learning through trial and error. In full disclosure, my first few pieces were pretty crappy. Cut straight down on all sides in order to clear the bark off the legs. I got a Ryobi battery powered chainsaw because I already had so many other Ryobi battery powered tools in my garage. So stand behind the figure and draw a heart onto the wood; make sure that both halves are at the same height, and draw a vertical line to split the shape in two. My favorite way to finish wood is to use a small torch and to burn the wood. Develop the sculpture further once you have the basic form down. Try to carve all of them to the same depth, and keep natural proportions in mind. Subsequent cuts were much easier and pretty soon I was rocking and rolling. Think of carving like an intense workout at the gym. Write the word cut on all of the sections that need to be removed. Burning the wood is one of my favorite techniques. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Before using your chainsaw make sure you read the instruction book supplied thoroughly and always use the recommended protective equipment. If its a large cut log, I just ensure its straight and level before working on it. If you dont have neighbors cutting down old trees in your area, Craigslist is a great option. In addition, there is the hassle of dealing with an extension cord. I found a chainsaw artist not too far away and was able to speak to her. I felt there had to be a way to create wooden works of art more quickly and efficiently. Make sure you have a good clean and clear area to work. However, for a do-it-yourself guy like me who has zero experience with chainsaws, I wanted to chainsaw that was affordable and that I could use around my home and for future woodworking projects even if I should I decide Im not cut out to be a chainsaw carving artist. Apply a thin layer of wood-sealing wax to help prevent the carved wood from developing cracks. I felt that I needed to talk to someone who had actually carved with a chainsaw. Youve gathered all the equipment and materials and youve done all your homework. This makes it easier to identify even very small errors. Use the end of the chain saw to shave wood and refine things like ears or the jaw and neck area. ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, D-71336 Waiblingen. DIYwoodart.com chronicles my growth and experimentation in the art of woodworking. In addition, mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes so think about the type of mushroom you would like to carve and go for it. He has also written for art exhibition catalogs and publications. If you have an area in your yard where you can work, consider putting up a canopy so that you have cover from harsh sunshine and rain. I did my research which led me to purchasing a Dremel. Check out Amazon for current pricing and details. Your markings should indicate clear cutting lines for your later carving work with the chainsaw, and mean you can see which large areas can be quickly blocked out first. The lower shelf is made by two simple cuts from the side, determining the shelf depth, and one final incision to remove the inside part. Bending down to carve on this piece of wood as it rests on the floor will be hard on your back. Insert the blade of a bark spud or a pry bar under and pry off the bark from the log. Pick what you want to carve and search for reference pictures. It is not intended to be used as a guide for manufacturing processes or other commercial purposes. A quick do-it-yourself way to stabilize and elevate your piece of wood is to screw a piece of plywood to the bottom of your log. Moving down the body, you should wear work gloves to help protect your hands from the constant vibration from the chainsaw. The most vital tool to maintain for a carver is their own body. Draw/spray paint the grid markings onto the intended piece of wood, then the general outline from the front, referring to the scale drawing. STIHL pro tip: stop frequently to remove the wood chips you create. But at the same time, its the same power and flexibility of the chainsaw that demands respect. // Leaf Group, Chisel Me Timbers: How To Chainsaw Carve a Bear, tree trunk carving image by Warren Millar from, tree trunk carving image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com. Therefore, I cant emphasize enough the importance of safety. A cutting stump is a large, flat-top stump planted on the ground and used as a surface for chopping or sawing wood. Electric Chainsaw: Electric chainsaws are fairly new to the game. My first carving attempt was on a little 2 ft log and I found it so hard to maneuver the saw around the small-sized carving and couldnt get the detail Id hoped for. In no event shall Husqvarna be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, punitive damages, resulting from, arising out of or in connection with the use of, or inability to use this inspiration article. Find out more about the fundamentals of chainsaw carving. The next best corded chainsaw that I could find was the Makita US4051A 16 inch electric chainsaw. Set yourself up for success and accomplishment by starting with basic shapes like a tree or a welcome sign. Next, use careful movements to add contours that bring out the eyes and beak. My scale drawings usually include 1-foot markings on the height of the carving, and a center line down the middle. All rights reserved, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! Cut off the top and bottom of the log so they are flat and level. Here are a few tips that I learned from bumbling my way through beginning chainsaw carving. My favorite tool for this purpose is called the Jawhorse Adjustable Sawhorse by Rockwell. The fire within me for chainsaw carving was burning out and Im sure it would have been replaced by some other passing fascination. Try to find a place along the top or bottom edge where the bark is already coming loose. carving patterns wood chainsaw carvings eagle owl woodcarving working There are a whole host of other woodworking tools that you can purchase to get the finishing detail just right. Where can we find free wood? All parts for Grass Trimmers and Brushcutters, Professional landscaping, garden & tree care. Chainsaw carving is inherently dangerous and its in a carvers best interest to acknowledge the risk and respect the tools. Gas chainsaws are more powerful and can be used anywhere, from the backyard of your house, or deep in the forest. Another benefit to the electric chainsaw is if you have a good power source and extension cord, you wont have to worry about keeping gasoline on hand, making trips to the gas station, and mixing fuel.

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