WaterfowlForum.Net

A coat of varnish and this block will be done. With out a doubt I will be combing the vermiculation next time rather than painting it on. I still can see straight.

Nice, cedar?

Northern Cedar. I typically carve white cedar but with the warm winter we had last year it got hard to find anything dry enough. I like this northern much better. It comes from Maine and up into Canada. Lighter and easier to carve than white cedar. The only thing I dont like about it is that it has odd grain changes. I seem to find all of them with the draw knife. Thanks.

Good look decoy.

Nice looking bird.

Just what I need, another hobby...... You make it look way too good

Flightstopper wrote:Just what I need, another hobby...... You make it look way too good

I have pattern books and a great supplier for materials when you decide to get started.

Flightstopper wrote:Just what I need, another hobby...... You make it look way too good

I thought the same thing

JGUN wrote:

Flightstopper wrote:Just what I need, another hobby...... You make it look way too good

I have pattern books and a great supplier for materials when you decide to get started.

You and Jehler will be the death of my bank account

Right on JGUN. Same here. Anyone who ever wants to get started my shop is always open and I'm always willing to help online or over the phone.

Doug, never having made a decoy, I have no idea if this is useful or not. One of the farms I trap has a HUGE bald cypress (at least I think it is) that blew down last year. I can bring you a truckload of the stuff if it's any good for blocks, if you want any. He'd love to have the thing gone. I'll post some pics from my phone in a second. Again, I'm horrible at IDing anything besides the standard hardwoods, and it gets even worse when dealing with some big ass old growth tree. But based on the fruit (and the fact that I don't think cedars get this big, at least not around here), I'm pretty sure it's a bald cypress. Let me know if you want some.

The base is every bit of 5 feet, and the bigger branches are probably about 18".

Im not real sure that the wood would be suitable for carving. Some woods tend to split and check more than others when carved. I wouldnt have room too store the stuff while it dried. I really appreciate the offer though.

I see see some very nice flooring in that tree though.

A list of tools that are needed and tools that are nice to have would be a great start.

Baysider wrote:Im not real sure that the wood would be suitable for carving. Some woods tend to split and check more than others when carved. I wouldnt have room too store the stuff while it dried. I really appreciate the offer though.

I see see some very nice flooring in that tree though.

No problem! Thought I'd offer before it gets cut up for firewood.

Flightstopper wrote:A list of tools that are needed and tools that are nice to have would be a great start.

http://www.theduckblind.com/
This is a good place to start. Willy has all the supplies you need. He also has some good step by step instructions too. I believe he still has kits for starters. I prefer my power carver but you could get by with a sharp knife and a couple rasps. A bandsaw helps too. I'd say start with the tan cork as it's easier to carve than wood.

Flightstopper wrote:A list of tools that are needed and tools that are nice to have would be a great start.

Hatchet, draw knife, spoke shave, roughing knife, and an x-acto kit or a couple gouges and finishing knives. Power carvers are for hippies.

No, Power carvers are for the impatient.

With a hachet, drawknife, and spokeshave I can have a body done in an hour. Well, to the point of sanding.

I have a dremel and a foredom and cant stand using them. Too much dust and the noise drives me nuts. I have used them on small carvings like orniments or miniature birds.

Looked at the price of cork, I'm over it.

Is cork cheap or expensive?

Goldfish wrote:Is cork cheap or expensive?

Cheap.

JGUN wrote:

Goldfish wrote:Is cork cheap or expensive?

Cheap.

How many can you get from a sheet? Looked high to me

If ou want cheaper buy plastics. Materials for carving have gotten outrageous. This scaup has close to $40 worth of wood in it. It's crazy.

Shhh we got flight conned into reloading. Just trying to get Goldie into carving.

JGUN wrote:Shhh we got flight conned into reloading. Just trying to get Goldie into carving.

Not like I just bought another browning to have all invector+ barrels for wad swapping convenience or anything....

my lips are sealed.

And I may or may not have some new storm fronts to practice painting...


You guys are a bad influence.

Make sure you go with oil paints. Its cheaper....

And they dry faster, too.