Need a good outside carving wood

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honesttjohn
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Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by honesttjohn »

I have to make a sign that will be hung outside in Northern Michigan. Tried cedar, but it didn't carve worth a darn, leaving all kinds of strings and splinters. I have to be tween 1.5 and 2" thick. Any other kinds (reasonably priced of course) that I should consider? Will lay about 4 coats of spar on it.
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Herb Stoops
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Herb Stoops »

Where do you normally get your wood? Do you have any Lumber Yards there? Maybe they could advise you. What about Barb, she does a lot of signs for that area, maybe she could suggest something.
just thinking out loud,
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Nickp
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Nickp »

How about teak...with some marine spar varnish...? Might be a bit pricey though...

On the other hand, if you're gonna spar it 4 coats, maybe any wood of choice might be ok...?
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Herb Stoops
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Herb Stoops »

My own personal choice would be paint. I have yet to see any clear finish that will hold up as good as paint.All the clear finishes I have seen on the coast near the salt water have to be maintained yearly that is exposed to the elements year around. Whereas a good house paint will last for years. Even teak.

My only recommendation for a material Star Board, a marine plastic that is quite expensive but machines beautifully and can be bought in colors, Black,White,Blue,Red, Gray,yellow etc.
I re did all the wood, Marine Plywood w/plastic laminate both sides, that the weather had degraded over a 20 year period on my boat, and all the grab rails in Star Board. I used 1/2", and 1" thick for the grab rails that were up to 4' long and had 4 hand holds.

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffnt&q=starbo ... &ia=images
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Cherryville Chuck »

honesttjohn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:21 pm I have to make a sign that will be hung outside in Northern Michigan. Tried cedar, but it didn't carve worth a darn, leaving all kinds of strings and splinters. I have to be tween 1.5 and 2" thick. Any other kinds (reasonably priced of course) that I should consider? Will lay about 4 coats of spar on it.
Western red cedar or aromatic cedar? WRC usually carves pretty good except it can be prone to splitting pieces off on the grain lines but if you cut fast and shallow I would say it should work. The only part that might be stringy would maybe be the white sapwood. Aromatic can be stringy. I have some juniper which is either really close or the same and I don't think it would carve very well. It is more purplish than WRC.
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Stick486 »

something here should give you what you want...
.
WOOD FOR OUTDOORS APPLICATIONS.pdf
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honesttjohn
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by honesttjohn »

Thanks Stick. This isn't going to be a piece of fine artwork. Just a 3d rustic sign to hang outside a hunting camp, so don't need an expensive wood piece. I cut a second one out of kiln dried finished 2 x 6 glued up cedar and ran a 45 deg diagonal raster for the finish cut. Came out a little better. Did some sanding and put the first coat of spar on. Will see what it looks like in the morning.
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MikeSibley
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by MikeSibley »

It's a little more expensive, but exterior doors are made from Sapele or Spanish Cedar. I've used Sapele (African Mahogany) and it carves pretty well and is extremely weather resistant. Down here it runs about 4-5 dollars per board foot. I have not used Spanish Cedar for carving so I cannot vouch for it.
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by honesttjohn »

Found a decent cedar 2 x 6 x8 and glued her up. Carved and started to spar it.Image
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Herb Stoops »

Came out good, John, what are the dim. looks about 20"X25" ?
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honesttjohn
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by honesttjohn »

approx 24 x 16
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Nickp »

honesttjohn wrote: ↑Tue Feb 02, 2021 5:40 pm Found a decent cedar 2 x 6 x8 and glued her up. Carved and started to spar it.Image

Very nice, Jon...good things come to those who wait...looks good in cedar...
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old55
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by old55 »

Looks great Jon.
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Bushwhacker »

Good start for 2021 my friend. Nice job.

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Cherryville Chuck
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by Cherryville Chuck »

Nice job John. The upper joint is almost like you book matched the wood. I can't see it at all.
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honesttjohn
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by honesttjohn »

All the spar is on and dried. Got a pic with better lighting.Image
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HJ

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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by old55 »

Really nice.
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OutoftheWoodwork
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Re: Need a good outside carving wood

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Post by OutoftheWoodwork »

Okay I'm coming in AFTER the fact, but: Cedar is meant for outside. The only time I get strings and fuzz is when the bit is ready to be sharpened, the grains are too close together, or the wood is too dry (or is it too wet... damn my brain is fogged up!)
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