NorfolknGood

Ohhhhh you just want to try opening that little door and see what's behind

What's my commission I'm off to my 1st show tomorrow as a stall holder chisel carving chain sawn rough cut blanks

I do this in every part of my life my expectations are so high it's rarely possible to meet them I done the same last year with a radio controlled 1/3rd scale Sopwith Pup WW1 biplane I built. It was just going to be a quick and dirty build with no detail emphasis being on getting it flying. I ended up making all cockpit instruments and a pilot etc but even though many people said how wonderful it is but not as good as I envisaged.

Loads of things I would like to carve but don't have talent or materials for Moon gazing hare Badger Raccoon Big bear Fox Wolf Eagle landing I have been looking for suitable pictures and poses on tinternet for all the above just need to draw them up on lining paper. Need more experience before I invest in large pieces of wood and chop into them.

Cheers But.............. they can always be better I'm never satisfied Here are some more I bored out the oak eyes and retro fitted glass:

Finished the owl now:

Lathams in Norfolk is part of the QD people QD Stores so the plant toppers (poor quality marbles) should be available in a few more places but it seems mainly Norfolk.

Yup but was 2 days work 18-20 hours I did the head........... didn't like it shortened all measurements by 1/2"......................... didn't like it shortened all measurements by ANOTHER 1/2" basically carving 3 heads.

that's helpful Depending on size my owls have been anything from £45 for a 10" high owl standing on a short log to a 24"ish owl on a log for £150 generally in between size is about £85 Meercat was £120

Oh Oh......... big marbles

But how do you price em

I don't really feel I'm experienced enough to give tips I'm still learning myself, this forum has been fantastic so far for help I can only say what I do and you make up your mind if it's a tip or not I first take a good long look at the wood and figure out any imperfections etc. On a couple of owls I have had a nice large branch off at 90 degrees near the top of my piece which has lent itself beautifully to being the face of the owl giving a very interesting appearance due to grain changing direction. Check out tinternet and get as many pictures as you can of the subject you wish to carve and from many angles and poses so you can fully understand the structure and movement of your subject. Get yourself some decorating lining paper nice big rolls dirt cheap and do yourself a few full size drawings. You can either chalk out a side and front view on your wood or grid your drawing and transpose that to the wood (more accurate). Block out all in one direction I normally do owls from the side first then block out from the front. Go in with the chalk or large pencil again and start putting some detail on it you will soon know your limitations with the chainsaw what you can and cant cut. What yo cant saw hit it with a chisel Sometimes I use a spade wood bit in the drill for bits such as behind the legs in front of tail then open it up with chisel. If it's a large bird I can chainsaw it out with my little MS150 rear handle. Keep going back in with the pencil marking it out so you don't loose track of what you are trying to achieve. Have drawings/pictures Follow drawings not cut what you think it should be Know your subject thoroughly Have sharp tools Stand back from all angles to check out progress Drink loadsa Kenco Sweep up Leave it and come back with a fresh eye if it's not going right

That's great and the head is really something else

Damn I been found out Not as much as I would like I rough out only then go in with anything sharp.............. chisels; grinder, flap wheels, dremel and my favourite tool my trusty ole farriers rasp I will take a photo of whatever I rough out next and post it up. I'm not a proper chainsaw carver

I think I have found my style now but I only carve owl'esk no particular breed just owlish. Didn't get the owl finished today I kept getting stopped for one reason or another

Why does everyone keep calling my sparra a barn owl

Possibly a bit far fetched for you Lathams at Potterheigham here on the Norfolk Broads. Mine look like: Decorative Plant Pot Topper Stones - Glass Beads by Gardman | eBay but the postage is expensive!

And there was me thinking I jus been clever............. seems I just designed a wheel Oh well onwards and upwards.

Thought it best to start a new topic rather than clutter up the eye cutting tool one. I just tried out some glass beads which are supposed to be for putting in the top of plant pots so you don't see the soil and to reduce water evaporation. Not sure how many in a bag but guess well over 100 and for £1.99 I thought that was a good deal They are not as good a quality as marbles but any slight imperfections can be put to the back anyway. They measure a tad over 16 mm so using a 16mm spade bit they tap into posh firewood a treat What do ya think?

Aha, thanks very much for putting it in B&W for me (simple chap needs holding by the hand ) I am still to take my ticket so I will be needing some anyway for that purpose and being an old woman like the idea of a bit of protection even if it only prolongs the agony I think I will go for (unless Acle Garden Machinery comes up with a better pair/price) for some I seen on Ebay: ARBORTEC AT975 CHAINSAW GLOVES LEFT AND RIGHT HAND PROTECTION CLASS 1 £35 inc delivery

Sounds like something I could make up then if it's not necessary for high carbon steel I just been trying out some 16mm spheres which are supposed to be for plant pot topping and look like marbles. I think they were about £1.99 for a bag of about 100 or more. I bored a hole using a 16mm spade bit 14mm deep and the ball taps in a treat looks good to

Sorry not being funny but can you clarify please? I don't pretend to know a lot I'm a newbie at this game but are you saying although necessary legally to be able to take your ticket and carry out paid work you have to have kevlar protection it's actually a waste of time? (I think I'm right in saying it's a legal requirement?) Next time I fire up my saws I will wear an ordinary pair of work gloves and see if they give any vibration protection at all.

I have not seen any AV chainsaw protection gloves though............. AV yes chainsaw kevlar backed yes but not AV & Kevlar Oh............... am I being an old woman for wanting left and right hand protection?

guessing about 40 mins. My hands are not what they used to be I used angle grinders in my work for many years so my joints are a bit boogered anyway.

I was using my Stihl 150 tother day and after only a short while noticed my left hand tingling from vibration. I was not using any gloves at all would something like the 'ARBORTEC AT975 CHAINSAW GLOVES' be enough insulation from the vibes? They have chain protection in both R and L gloves but not anti vibration pads. Should I got for anti vibration padded gloves or would they be a PITA taking away too much feeling from what I am doing?