Thick wood required for carving

[dedee]

For her next project my missus would like to carve a heron for our garden to replace a rather faded plastic decoy.

So she is looking for a lump of ideally quarter sawn wood approx 30" high by 12" wide by 5" deep.

Ideally she would like to use chestnut but my initial enquiries make me think that obtaining anything over 3" will be very difficult.

Am I likely to be find a lump of suitable wood (preferably not oak) this big or is laminating the only way to get this size?

Andy

 

[Inspector]

"She" has some requirements that aren't really needed.

Quarter sawn wood is not needed because the bird will be carved in the round and I assume painted so grain patterns won't show. Wood movement is going to happen outside no matter what the cut is and would only be an issue if it was cut with the pith inside. Then it will crack like firewood.

A softwood like Fir, Pine, or Cedar would do nicely if you can't find a hardwood you like. There should be someone else in the forum that can help locate a mill, unless you know a longshoreman that can get some dunnage.

 

[Alf]

Not exactly on your doorstep, Andy, but if you're really stuck I can let you have the details of the guy down here who's provided BIG pieces of wood, including chestnut, for sculptures at the Eden Project.

Cheers, Alf

 

[dedee]

Alf, yes please. Even if it means a weekend away it might just be worth it.


Incidently these are all the people I've rang so far today:-

Wests, North Heigham, Timberline, Stiles & Bates, Yandles, Brit Hardwoods, John Boddy & Timbnet. I'm working my way through Chris' list!

Andy

 

[dedee]

Inspector,

The piece will be unpainted. Quater sawn was recomended by her evening class tutor and she has already been offered a log of suitable size but as you say the heartwood would be a problem.


Andy

 

[Alf]

Andy, you have a PM

Cheers, Alf

 

[jasonB]

Andy The mill I use for green oak does have chestnut sometimes as well as larch, try the mobile as its the best way to contact them

http://www.scottimber.co.uk/

There is also Treespanner, mobile is best again

http://www.treespanner.co.uk/

And South London Hardwoods may have something knocking about

http://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/

The other alternative would be to glue up say 3 layers of ex 2" cedar with PU glue, cedar is nice and soft to carve.

JAson

 

[engineer one]

andy, why does she not get you to make a "hollow" box, with an empty core of say 1-1.5 inches square. that way you could get quarter sawn and have it all around :twisted:

that way you would reduce the weight, and also the wastage to some extent. :roll:

paul :wink:

 

[Chris Knight]

Andy,
I can offer a lump of sycamore to 30x12x4. Otherwise, in addition to what has already been suggested, try Westonbirt. Their monthly wood sales will likely have something suitable.

 

[dedee]

Chris,

unless I'm looking in the wrong place on the Westonbirt site their wood sales appear to be for complete trees or whole forests.

I think sycamore may not be quite as durable as chestnut when outdoors, but if all else fails we may take you up on you offer - thanks.

I'm expecting a couple of return phone calls that may turn something up.

Andy

 

[CHJ]

Andy, The wood sales at Westonbirt are managed by the 'Friends'A call to 01666 880 148 may get a contact for the person doing the next stint.
(11 Feb 07) there is a lot of wood in the 'Grave Yard' as they refer to it, that is not big enough for planking but of the sizes you are looking for, it's not all easily identified to type (not by me anyway).

The only caveat I would put on it as a source is that it is mostly green or rain soaked and would need some careful drying.

Another source, not near you I'm afraid that I think would be able to supply you is:

John Bradford, Burcombe Flower Farm,
Wiggaton, Ottery St. Mary
DEVON, EX11 1PU
Tel: 01404 814533