WILDLIFE MONTAGE

[DickMira]

[1]  The special wood used in this project was a large, heavy slab of California Redwood Burl given to me by my children.  It was 2 1/2 inches thick and 36 inches long by 24 inches tapering to 15 inches wide in size and was by far, the largest and heaviest piece of wood I had ever attempted to cut with a scroll saw.  It was very unstable trying to balance this on the scroll saw table and nearly impossible to move with any fine motor control making the scrolling impossible.   I built two accessory tables, one on each side of the scroll saw, level with the saw table. This improved the stability and mobility of the heavy slab.  Since I was using multiple animal patterns from different designers, I had to shrink the patterns in different proportions to make them fit my overall design.

[2]   Because the animal patterns were smaller than usual, I needed to drill very small pilot holes, a very difficult task because of the thickness of the wood.  Regular small diameter drill bits were too short and didn't work. I obtained much longer airline drill bits to accomplish this task. Drilling pilot holes on my drill press was also a challenge.

[3]  There was a small linear defect in the burl located above the hippo.  This area was cut out and a pond was created.  This will be filled with multiple layers of epoxy.

[4]  More detailed carving of the animals was accomplished.  A drawing of a stump was done by hand and some of the forest floor was detailed.

[5] The carving of the animals was continually refined.  Some rocks and a small, scrolled crocodile were sealed in the clear green epoxy in the pond.  Sorry, this is not visible in this view of the project.

[6]  The piece was stained to enhance the unique grain pattern of this burl and finished with multiple coats of Rub on Poly.  Special hardware for hanging heavier artwork was installed.

[7]  Thanks for viewing this post!   Dick

[dgman]

Ok Dick, now you’re just showing off!! That is one of the most amazing pieces I’ve ever seen! 

[barb.j.enders]

Wow!!!

[ben2008]

You should be working for one of the Hollywood studios. I'm positive they could use your talent.

Just beautiful.

Edited November 24, 2020 by ben2008

[Scrappile]

Beautiful!  You really have a unique process.  I love it.

[meflick]

Stunning,

[DickMira]

On 11/24/2020 at 10:51 AM, Scrappile said:

Beautiful!  You really have a unique process.  I love it.

Thanks, Paul   Normally when I am busiest I prefer to work on several projects at once mainly because it reduces the number of times you have to change carving bits in a power carver.  Doing a project like this solves that problem because you can move from one animal to another on the same project. 

[Scrappile]

@DickMira,  what power carver do you have?  I have looked at the Foredom many times but just don't have the mad money for it.

[DickMira]

Paul:   My earliest projects were all done with with the various Dremel models,  Over the years, they have improved with each new model.  The current ones are greatly improved and I think would be a more inexpensive way to get started with some carving.  I have been using a Foredom model.  Their quality for the motors and for the bits and carvers are excellent.  I agree with you about the pricing of everything, but am always pleased with the superb quality and service.

48 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

@DickMira,  what power carver do you have?  I have looked at the Foredom many times but just don't have the mad money for it.

 

[Roberta Moreton]

WOW  

[Dan]

[rdatelle]

Just out of this world Dick. I love your work.

[amazingkevin]

You make my day when you post!!!

[spirithorse]

Great creativity and great work!
Thanks for sharing and God Bless! Spirithorse