I have a wood carving/statue about two feet tall, which appears to be varnished but is unfinished on its base. “What I am afraid of is having purchased this and moved to a heated basement, that it may crack or develop splits while acclimating to the new location. It already has a split about 3” high in the back starting at the base, and several more small cracks in the base. From what I understand about large wood carvings, the pith or inside dries slower than the outside, causing the distortion and cracking.
So very large logs are not going to lose anything like enough moisture to be considered dry or “Seasoned within 10 years or more of having been felled. In effect, the sculptor of large logs is always working with what is normally termed”green wood”. Another way of reducing the likelihood of catastrophic cracks on the front of a sculpture is by slitting it down the back with a chainsaw all, or most of the way, to the centre of the log. It is a serious defect for the carver as it can lead to whole sections of a carving falling away from the core log, often completely unexpectedly.
A natural oil and wax is a great wood finish all on its own for work like your doing…Do share what you learn and choose for your formulation. Since its a wax finish it will be paste like and not something you can spread well with brush It all depends on how much solvent you mix with the wax. My mother would actually make a small bonfire to to warm some of her work when the weather was cooler, otherwise should would do strange things like park her van in the sun, or place the project in a glass tank in the sun with the first coat on it and rub it in during the “Warm up.” Between the solvent and the warm temperature, the material was well soaked with finish…. Good Luck!
how to keep chainsaw carvings from cracking Related Question:
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.
How do you preserve a chainsaw 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.
What can I use to protect wood carvings?
You can do this by placing flat stones or furniture pads under the carving. The idea is to keep it elevated from the floor or other surface to allow continuous airflow. After time, your carving will begin to stabilize its moisture content and cracking will be less of a concern if it is kept in same environment.
Why do wood carvings crack?
In most cases, your wood carving is cracking because it’s dried too quickly. There are some precautions that you can take to avoid any potential cracking on your Wood carving project. It might take years or even decades for a log or a piece of wood to naturally dry completely.
Will linseed oil stop wood from cracking?
Boiled linseed oil will keep the wood from splitting and cracking. It works as a guard seal. The workability is also high and easy to apply. I highly recommend applying boiled linseed oil to your loving woodwork especially if you’re a beginner in woodworking, because of its easiness.
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.
What oil do you use for wood carvings?
One of the most commonly used methods for caring for wood carvings is through the application of mineral oil as a sealant and stain. With the proper type of mineral oil and correct application methods, caring for your wood carvings is an easy process, and one that only needs to be performed once or twice a year.
How do you protect wood carvings outside?
Care for a Tree Carving Sculpture: Choosing an Oil I’ve always said decking oil is the best thing for sculptures outdoors due to its containing fungicide and UV protection. This is your best option if you want to treat the wood in any way.
What is the best wood for chainsaw carving?
Softwoods work best with chainsaws and carvings because of way they yield to creative impulses with little kickback, though their knots can be tricky to maneuver at times. Softwood give a fantastic finished product. Some of the woods that fall into this category are Pine, Cottonwood, Redwood and Ponderosa.
Will Danish oil prevent cracking?
Danish oil is perfect for oak wood furniture. Danish oil avoids cracking, scratching, and stains and enhances the sheen of oak wood with an attractive appearance.
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.
Does carving a tree harm it?
Depending on how deep the cut is, it may disrupt the cells below the bark, phloem and xylem, that are responsible for transporting water, sugar, and other nutrients throughout the tree. In extreme cases, carving or other bark damage can cause the tree to starve to death due to this cellular disruption.
What does it cost to have a tree stump carved?
A. Prices are roughly $100 to $200 per foot, depending on how much work goes into it.
Will mineral oil keep wood from cracking?
For cutting boards, wooden utensils, countertops and other heavily used timber surfaces in the kitchen, you can oil the surface once a month to help prevent warping and cracking.