So I've Taken Up Wood Carving....

They are wonderful JJ. Hope there maybe some that can make their way to Shineyland next May?
Jenny

 

I'm a bit reluctant to use hardwood at the moment as we don't have as much of it as we do soft wood. Is softwood a no no for wood carving then? Even as I've painted the duck, will it still start to crack in the winter then? I was given some really large pieces of softwood from a left over woodworking project the OH never finished so thought it would be ideal for making a few bits out of.

It's up to shiney really. I doubt I will be attending next year though, but could send some up to him if he wants some and I have enough wood.

 

when I say softwood is a no no for carving , I refer to the pine wood that we get in Uk , usually coming from China or warm country , you can see a good pine by the grade of the grain , the small is the grain the better is the quality .....a pine tree that grow in Siberia will take 30/40 years before can be cut , but the same tree grown in a warm climate can be cut cutted down after 7/10 years ...
there are many other soft wood available , but harder to find .

 

What is cheap decking usually made of, and fence posts and the likes? They seem to last a good few years taking all the British weather can throw at them.

 

'Tiss a shame you're so far away I have the (38 group) gorilla with an ear and half his foot missing. He needs a wood doctor.

Cheers, Tony.

 

clueless they are made of softwood , but they are threated with special oil that make them weather prof , the trouble start when that oil/paint protection get washed off and the wood will start to rotten or split ...... that the reason why i was suggesting to preserve the sculpture with wood oil it will be a shame to lose a nice peace of work .

 

That reminds me I must paint my decking! I just can't decide upon a colour. Perhaps I will just oil it.

Also found out that most of the softwood I have been working with is Scandinavian pine.

 

Balsa is a hardwood.

 

you sayin' you've a 38 strong group of gorilla's in your garden? id hate to bump into whatever it was that bit one of their ear & foot off !

 

Don't have much balsa lying around. My dad does though.....

I always seem to remember balsa wood being really soft and that you can stick your fingers in it if you push hard enough. I don't understand how that is classed as a softwood if you can mark it really easily.

 

To quote Wikipedia :

"Hardwood contrasts with softwood (which is from Gymnosperm trees). Hardwoods are not necessarily harder than softwoods. In both groups there is an enormous variation in actual wood hardness, ...; some hardwoods (e.g. balsa) are softer than most softwoods, while yew is an example of a hard softwood."

MrH would concur with the last point. He loves the grain pattern in yew but it is very hard work to carve. However he made the green man below to keep watch over our garden.

 

A lovely carving Hsuh and I bet he looks great looking out over your garden,
Jenny

 

I made one of those, think I sold it to Folly Mon though.

 

That's nice Ziggy. Is it wood or cement please?
Jenny

 

Ziggy you mentioned Folly Mon, forgive me for going off topic but do you know how he is?