 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
First of all I should start this by stating I have a few years of chainsaw experience as I used to work for the FC and during that time did a fair few training/safety courses so I'm not someone who intends to buy a chainsaw, start attacking lumps of wood and hoping for the best. Essentially I have knowledge of how to safely handle and use a chainsaw/safety equipment and maintenance etc.
I've always fancied giving chainsaw carving a bash, not giant grand 12 feet high carvings of soaring eagles, just small, more delicate detailed carvings on small logs. My Father In Law does it but he is very old fashioned in his approach and uses whatever chainsaw sits in his barn and in my opinion has just been lucky not to have been injured over the years, so he isn't someone who I intend to ask for advice.
So, does anyone have and knowledge on this that they would be willing to share, particularly in regards to chainsaw/bar choice for smaller carvings?
As good as singletrackworld is you should really visit Arbtalk it has a dedicated carving forum with lots of information. They are a very friendly bunch as well.
If it's small stuff, do you really want a chainsaw? I've been doing quite a bit recently with axes and adzes - sometimes do the rough cutting with a chainsaw, but get a much nicer look and finish with a blade.
Just a thought 🙂
Went to the Surrey Wood Fair a couple of weeks ago and picked up a card from a chap called Ray Wirick www.chainsaw-sculptor.com. He was doing some cracking stuff with a saw that looked very fine, almost tapered go a thin point. Maybe give him a lookup
[url= https://sites.google.com/site/twistedtimberdesign/ ]Twisted Timber Design [/url] dude Owen is a good mate: he was "demonstrating" at Haldon Forest the other week. He also works for the FC: anything wierd looking in Great Wood (Quantox) will most likely be his work.
chainsaw carving and 'just small, more delicate detailed carvings on small logs' aren't really things that typically go hand in hand. If you are thinking on a smaller scale I'd look at the tools made my [url= http://www.axminster.co.uk/arbortech-shoparbortech/ ]'Arbortech'[/url] which 'carve' in very much the same fashion as a chainsaw. So I would used your existing saw for any initial cutting but use the arbourtech for the actual shaping. You'll find videos of them in used on Youtube.
The ones i've watched often use a top handle saw for the more delicate parts as the micro/picco chain gives a smoother/cleaner cut.
Always thought if I tried it i'll end up with a hacked up log and lots of saw dust every where.
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/talk-to-me-about-chainsaws/page/2#post-4260650 ]Have a word with bikebuoy - this is his missus apparently.[/url]
[img] 
[/img]
Treefest at Westonbirt has a chainsaw carving demo/competition every year, this fella is one of the latest, I took this last Sunday:[IMG] 
[/IMG]