Chainsaw Wood Carving Tips & Tricks For Beginners
From the beginning of human history, man has had an interest in sculptures and they tried to create it through several mediums. Among the materials used, wood was most preferred as at that time it was found in plenty. Over the centuries, woodcarving has become popular and evolved with time.
Craftsmen are using new techniques and tools and the processes involved are evolving with technology. An example of evolution in woodcarving is seen in the new techniques used to keep wood from decaying.
We will discuss a few tips and tricks for beginners in this article.
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Chainsaw Woodcarving Tools and Materials
Very well known wood carving equipment is, chisel, gouge and carving knife. Besides these there are more tools that play a bigger role in the wood carving process.
Chainsaw
A chainsaw is considered to be the best essential tool for wood carving. It helps to cut through large and thick woods easily. There are different kinds of chainsaw available. They also have various sizes and models. Base works of woodcarving are usually done by a chainsaw. Some are more affordable than others.
If you are serious about getting into wood carving, shop around to get yourself an affordable chainsaw now.
Here are three different types of chainsaws:
Personal Protective Gear (PPE)
You should always be aware of your safety in wood carving. Don’t forget to wear your gears like- helmet, gloves, safety goggles, earplugs, chainsaw chaps, and proper footwear.
Timber / Wood
You need to be aware of wood quality whether it's hardwood or softwood. Both have their own uses, you just need to ensure you have the proper type of wood for your work.
Wood Coating
Wood can last a long period of time if it’s coated the right way. It depends on the wood finishing material which is applied to the sculpture. After you select your wood type you have to apply some specific sealants and oils to the carving.
Polishing with the right materials will make the wood more durable. Outdoor structures need additional protection from the weather and the elements.
Sketching and Pattern Tools
Sketching and pattern tools are perfect for beginners. Wood carving requires a certain level of precision. It is very easy to make mistakes even in the most well planned out project. If a mistake does occur then you will need to modify your plan and adjust. The worst thing that can happen is when you’ll have to get rid of the whole wood and start with new wood.
There is a simple way to avoid this outcome just by having plans and following the sketches. It also assists with marking the cut and carvings. But it is said that the better way to do this is with a chainsaw, just timber it with the chainsaw by the marks you created.
The Different Types of Wood For Carving
Once you have all the necessary equipment it's time to choose the type of wood you want to crave. There are different types of wood and each come up with their unique texture and features. Make sure you buy wood from wood suppliers and that you know all the properties about the wood you are using Below you can see some common wood features:
Basswood
Although basswood is known as hardwood but it's comparatively soft to carve with a chainsaw. Beginners can use it easily and it’s a great choice. It’s one of the expensive woods so make sure you don’t waste it.
Walnut
Walnut is more costly than basswood and it's also popular. It has its own rich color and looks great when finished with the right coating. This wood grows everywhere so you can find it easily.
Mahogany
Mahogany is quite famous in the Caribbean where it has farms and they grow it to export in other countries. It’s a reddish colored wood with a comparatively straight inconsistent texture.
Oak
Oak is one of the most popular woods. Its grain is beautiful, heavy, strong, and light-colored hardwood. Its quality makes it more ideal for furniture.
Cottonwood
Cottonwood has 25 species all over the world. Its color is white which is very appealing for a unique look. Cottonwood is usually sold as a woodcarving piece. It is cheaper than basswood.
Butternut
Butternut wood is handy for novice woodcarvers. It’s a very soft wood which heights about 100 ft and has a diameter of 3ft. In fact, the butternut is related to the walnut variety. But the texture is lighter and browner in the butternut wood.
Chainsaw Wood Carving Tips & Tricks
Here we discuss some tips and tricks for chainsaw carving.
Wood carving is one of the oldest crafts out there. It’s beautiful and it can be great as a profession or hobby. You can decorate your home and backyard with your own design ideas. You just need to work hard and try new things in order to perfect your work.
Remember you need to be careful with your chainsaw and always wear safety gear first to avoid serious injuries from woodworking. Always approach the project with steady hands and a calm mind.
