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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> What's a good chainsaw for carving?
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08/26/2011 10:18:53 AM · #1
If someone were to have a hankering to carve stuff with a chainsaw, are there specific types that are best?
08/26/2011 10:31:15 AM · #2
You talking flesh or wood?
08/26/2011 10:57:29 AM · #3
for a female portrait?
08/26/2011 11:00:56 AM · #4
You should only use the chainsaw for fine finishing touches. I recommend tactical explosives for the more general work. They are also useful for lobbing across the fence when the neighbors complain about the noise.
08/26/2011 11:28:01 AM · #5
(waiting patiently for art's reply to this thread)
08/26/2011 11:35:48 AM · #6
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

You should only use the chainsaw for fine finishing touches. I recommend tactical explosives for the more general work. They are also useful for lobbing across the fence when the neighbors complain about the noise.


We talking C4 or Semtex , or something a tad more low yield?

Message edited by author 2011-08-26 11:38:48.
08/26/2011 11:36:53 AM · #7
I have Stihl but I only only use it for cutting the wood that I heat our place with and sometimes I stylize a beam or two. it would be to heavy I reckon for long carving work, I think a light chainsaw with an average blade would be good. Husqvarna or Stihl would be best with a slight preference for Stihl for the quality.
08/26/2011 11:39:50 AM · #8
//www.stihl.com/isapi/default.asp?contenturl=/katalog/produktgruppe/1501/Carving+chain+saws.html
08/26/2011 11:57:14 AM · #9
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

We talking C4 or Semtex , or something a tad more low yield?

Depends on if you are carving hardwood or softwood and what sort of launch devices you own.
08/26/2011 12:20:37 PM · #10
A small Stihl is the way to go. Amazing gear, I got a very large one when I did those Florida hurricanes and also to clear my overgrown lot.
Can not go wrong with a Stihl, and those little ones will drop a huge tree in the hands of a pro, damn powerful. So size is relative, but small would carve better.
08/26/2011 12:33:30 PM · #11
Originally posted by Eagle40Fox2:

//www.stihl.com/isapi/default.asp?contenturl=/katalog/produktgruppe/1501/Carving+chain+saws.html


Hah!
Figures Stihl would make saws targeted to this application. +1 on Stihl as a brand. Great quality equipment.

ETA: When my current saw, an old beast of a McCullough (yeh, I know, but it was free) dies or needs a part I can't get, I will replace it with a Stihl.

Message edited by author 2011-08-26 12:37:07.
08/26/2011 12:57:20 PM · #12
I really need to get me a chainsaw!
08/26/2011 01:48:37 PM · #13
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by Eagle40Fox2:

//www.stihl.com/isapi/default.asp?contenturl=/katalog/produktgruppe/1501/Carving+chain+saws.html


Hah!
Figures Stihl would make saws targeted to this application. +1 on Stihl as a brand. Great quality equipment.

ETA: When my current saw, an old beast of a McCullough (yeh, I know, but it was free) dies or needs a part I can't get, I will replace it with a Stihl.

Ooh, that sounds good. It's small enough that I can get one for each hand.
08/26/2011 02:30:30 PM · #14
Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by Eagle40Fox2:

//www.stihl.com/isapi/default.asp?contenturl=/katalog/produktgruppe/1501/Carving+chain+saws.html


Hah!
Figures Stihl would make saws targeted to this application. +1 on Stihl as a brand. Great quality equipment.

ETA: When my current saw, an old beast of a McCullough (yeh, I know, but it was free) dies or needs a part I can't get, I will replace it with a Stihl.

Ooh, that sounds good. It's small enough that I can get one for each hand.


or three so you can juggle while carving.
08/26/2011 03:14:47 PM · #15
I see no reason to spend the big bucks on a Stihl ($500 for the carving model) if you are just starting out carving. If you aren't doing your carving out in the woods, just get a cheap little 16-20 inch electric chainsaw. I own two McCullough's in that category and because they use electricity they can be used in a studio, and are much quieter than their gas powered cousins. The shorter throw means less bounce when you are chipping off a surface. I was amazed how fine you can work the chainsaw before you have to get out the chisels to finish it off.
08/26/2011 04:15:36 PM · #16
Here's a snag... I need to figure out where I can get logs! :-O
08/26/2011 04:32:17 PM · #17
Well Slippy, you get logs from trees:) Now as a seasoned Squirrel lover and melon roller, you need to know that those big brown things sticking out of the ground are trees! You know the ones, when you are flat out down a slope after a melon and a big brown thing stops you dead, that is a tree?

The most worrying thing here is the thought of you using a chainsaw. You cause chaos with a video camera, so I hate to think of the trail of destruction you will leave behind you! Perhaps after the Hurricane thread finishes, we can compare which caused most damage, you or the hurricane:))
08/26/2011 06:49:22 PM · #18
Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Here's a snag... I need to figure out where I can get logs! :-O


One thing to look for in log picking, try to avoid getting yours from an area where a lot of hunting takes place. Hitting a chunk of lead with a chain saw is pretty exciting. Even more so with a band saw. One of the reasons why lumber companies hate to see hunters on their land is that stray bullets play havoc on an eight foot circular blade.

Its a bit less romantic than hewing out of logs, but I have done a few things out of the cut off ends of structural beams. Big beams.
08/26/2011 07:06:18 PM · #19
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

... romantic than hewing out of logs...

Heh... Romancing the log... hehe.

Steve, that melon rolling video made quite an impression on you! I keep forgetting about it. I don't know if I even still have it, may have been lost. :-( I'd love to see it again.
08/26/2011 07:09:43 PM · #20
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

I see no reason to spend the big bucks on a Stihl ($500 for the carving model) if you are just starting out carving. If you aren't doing your carving out in the woods, just get a cheap little 16-20 inch electric chainsaw. I own two McCullough's in that category and because they use electricity they can be used in a studio, and are much quieter than their gas powered cousins. The shorter throw means less bounce when you are chipping off a surface. I was amazed how fine you can work the chainsaw before you have to get out the chisels to finish it off.

I youtubed some videos and found a bunch of carving competitions using a brand called "Echo", which the local Home Depot carries. They aren't too expensive, and I don't really need anything fancy for what I'm thinking about. But I would like a gas powered for the muscle-head-factor.
08/26/2011 07:31:22 PM · #21
Originally posted by Strikeslip:


Heh... Romancing the log... hehe.


You'll go blind and have hairy palms...
08/26/2011 08:21:04 PM · #22
Originally posted by BrennanOB:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Here's a snag... I need to figure out where I can get logs! :-O


One thing to look for in log picking, try to avoid getting yours from an area where a lot of hunting takes place. Hitting a chunk of lead with a chain saw is pretty exciting. Even more so with a band saw. One of the reasons why lumber companies hate to see hunters on their land is that stray bullets play havoc on an eight foot circular blade.

Its a bit less romantic than hewing out of logs, but I have done a few things out of the cut off ends of structural beams. Big beams.


could it be you are speaking from experience, Brennan?

Reminiscent of the long ago time when I heard some skrittttch & then yelps and then more-than-choice language from downstairs, when my guy offered his 3/4 horse circular saw to a less-than-skilled friend who attempted to saw (gnaw) on some reclaimed lumber. Our friend left such activities by my guy thereafter.
08/26/2011 08:27:36 PM · #23
Check out this guy: unbelievable...

R.
08/27/2011 03:20:53 AM · #24
Originally posted by sfalice:



could it be you are speaking from experience, Brennan?


Yup, working in the shop in Boston cutting planks from a gorgeous splated maple from Vermont on a big bandsaw when it hit a slug and snapped. Never seen the crew move as fast as when that 12 feet of toothy steel snapped the length of the shop at sub-sonic speed.

If you are going for gas powered, I would stay with Stihl or Husqvarna. Echo are... well not so well reputed. If you carve you will often not be in the classic chain at 90 degrees from the body with arms fully extended position. At least for me I spent much more time with my head over the saw, not the safest position, and down right bad for the little grey cells if you are sucking exhaust, but it lets you see what you are doing.
08/27/2011 07:41:07 AM · #25
There is a Stihl dealer near me. :-)

Last night the wife asked me what I want for my birthday in a couple of weeks...
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