QA

Question: How To Make Chainsaw Art

What type of wood is best for chainsaw carving?

The best kinds of wood to carve with a chainsaw are softwoods because they crack open less frequently and have weaker kickback. The best softwoods suitable for chainsaw carving are cottonwood and ponderosa.

How much do chainsaw carvers make?

The salaries of Wood Carvers in the US range from $18,800 to $50,720 , with a median salary of $28,990 . The middle 50% of Wood Carvers makes between $28,990 and $29,630, with the top 83% making $50,720.

How much does it cost to get a tree carved?

Prices vary, depending on the amount of detail, type of wood, diameter of log, height of tree, location, degree of difficulty, etc. As a rule of thumb, prices are generally $150-$250 per foot of carving up to a height of 5 feet. Above 5 feet, scaffolding is needed, and the price is about $200-$300 per foot of carving.

Can you make money chainsaw carving?

There are many chainsaw carvers earning more than one hundred thousand dollars a year. Dozens, if not hundreds, of carvers make more than fifty thousand. Even beginner and mediocre carvers are making substantial money in this art form. The demand for chainsaw carvers is very high and the supply is very low.

Is chainsaw carving hard?

It can even become a career since many people make a living out of it. Although chainsaw carving may seem hard and nearly impossible at first, anyone can start. It’s important to always remember that a chainsaw is potentially an extremely dangerous tool that must be handled with care.

Is Pine good for chainsaw carving?

A Clean piece of White Pine is generally best for carving. It is also very easy to machine and one of the best woods for chainsaw carving. So when you want to carve Pine I would generally recommend staying away from any variants other than White Pine if you want to keep your sanity.

Is Red Oak good for chainsaw carving?

Yes, Oak is good for carving. Oak is a popular ideal wood for carving because of its great properties. Because of being strong and sturdy Oak wood carvings has long-term durability. But carving with oak is not simple as carving with basswood or pine due to various factors.

Does soaking wood make it easier to carve?

Soaking Wood In Water. Carving the wood after soaking it in water is not quite the same as carving it green, but it is also much easier to carve than if it was rock solid and dry. For this method, all you have to do is leave the wood in water for 2 days and wait for it to be a little softer.

How long do tree carvings last?

Wood carvings can last anywhere between a few decades to several lifetimes or more depending on how they were treated and where they are stored. They can easily last several decades outside if out of direct sunlight and are regularly treated and sealed. They can last almost indefinitely indoors and the wood sealed.

Should I carve green wood or dry wood?

Although carving wood dry is harder, the likelihood of dry wood to crack open is much lower as it does not hold moisture, making dry wood the preferred state of wood for carving. Green wood is however preferred when using very hard woods that are difficult to carve such as apple or alder.

How do you seal outdoor wood carving?

To preserve your chainsaw carving for as long as possible you must seal it with an oil such as the danish oil or decking oil. Apply multiple coats of the sealer with daily intervals between each coat. Reapply the sealer regularly during the first year, and only once per year after the first 12 months.

Is wood carving an expensive hobby?

Wood carving is not an expensive hobby when done with traditional non-electric tools. The most expensive part of wood carving is the wood you carve from and the tools, most of which are a one-time purchase. However, as most of you likely carve 2-3 times/week, your wood carving expense will be half your petrol bill.

Who invented chainsaw?

Robert P. McCulloch.

How do you preserve a chainsaw carving?

The best place to keep your chainsaw sculpture is in a shady spot in the garden away from direct sunlight. It’s not necessary to keep your sculpture dry as the oils it’s been treated with will protect it from rot, in fact natural atmospheric moisture will benefit the timber and help prevent it drying out too quickly.

How do I stop my chainsaw carving from cracking?

Placing the sculpture under some plastic sheeting (though not completely sealed in) can have the same effect. It will also reduce the rate of moisture loss and therefore the cracking. Using sealers, drying oils, varnish etc. to coat the carving can help a lot in forcing it to dry slowly.

What is the best oil for wood carvings?

Here is a list of five of the best oils for your wood carvings: Linseed Oil: Tung Oil: Mineral Oil: Walnut Oil: Danish Oil:.

What wood is bad for carving?

Wood like basswood or pine is excellent for producing quality work with little effort. They are easy to carve and will cause limited damage to carving tools. In contrast to this, hardwood like white oak is difficult to work with and will many times damage the carving tools if not handled properly.

Is Cedar a good wood to carve?

Cedar is a strong, fragrant wood that can be carved with a carving shave, a sharp wood knife, chisel and saws. White cedar doesn’t crack or shrink in water, making it a favorite medium for carving duck decoys.

Is maple good for chainsaw carving?

Softwood Chainsaw Carvings Clark The Carver prefers softwood for his chainsaw carvings. Some of the hardwoods that are used for carving include Cherry and Maple oak. Hardwoods are more difficult to obtain but Clark will use them when these woods are available and specially requested.