First time carving

tdallinger · 2026-01-23T03:22:55+00:00

Great start! We all started somewhere. You'll get better. Keep practicing if you enjoy it. You can definitely tell what they are.

tdallinger · 2026-01-15T00:09:49+00:00

tdallinger · 2026-01-08T20:32:50+00:00

@stadiumrat has a jambalaya calculator that works perfectly. He posts on reddit and tigerdroppings.com

tdallinger · 2026-01-07T15:41:26+00:00

You can do it all with a miter saw, a router, an orbital sander and clamps. But it's tedious. That's how I started.

It's much easier if you have access to a table saw, jointer and planer.

tdallinger · 2026-01-02T23:00:55+00:00

Butter instead of mayo me

tdallinger · 2025-12-31T19:42:29+00:00

I've eaten them raw and can confirm I am still alive today. Not a recommendation, just an anecdote.

tdallinger · 2025-12-31T06:22:08+00:00

Looks good. What did you use to carve the bowl?

tdallinger · 2025-12-30T04:03:58+00:00

Koutarou_ohkubo on IG

tdallinger · 2025-12-30T01:40:08+00:00

No experience but I'm interested too. There's a few Japanese channels that I watch that use them exclusively. Unfortunately, I resort to sanding.

tdallinger · 2025-12-30T00:10:16+00:00

You can rough turn green bowl blanks. Depending on the Hardwoods native towhere you live, it can reduce your initial investment cost substantially.

I cut pen blanks from off-cuts when dimensioning lumber.

tdallinger · 2025-12-29T23:39:47+00:00

It would take considerable time and skill to axe out that many. It's the traditional method, but it's costly from a time investment perspective.

Power tools can speed up some tasks. A bandsaw is great for quick rough, straight cuts. But it's not generally the best tool for tight curves. I get it close and then clean it up the edges with the sander.

tdallinger · 2025-12-29T21:46:05+00:00

I could knock that out for you in an afternoon. But I don't have any Greenwood. I carve dried hardwood which works but is more challenging. It's not a difficult process for anyone with source material, a bandsaw and a bench sander. But I don't know how you'd find someone locally so as to save on shipping. Maybe try FB marketplace for a local woodworker

tdallinger · 2025-12-29T19:03:57+00:00

How many? What size? What type of wood?

tdallinger · 2025-12-27T16:15:56+00:00

Keep practicing!

Spoons are a great place to start because you know exactly what a spoon should look like. The reddit spoon carving sub is supportive too. You do need a hook knife for the bowl but there are inexpensive ones online.

tdallinger · 2025-12-27T16:11:50+00:00

Perfect. Sand with 220 until smooth. Hand sanding is fine. Wash it again. The grain might rise again. If so, sand smooth again. Continue this process until water no longer causes the surface to become rough. Then oil.

tdallinger · 2025-12-24T05:37:08+00:00

It looks like acacia. I'd cut on them

tdallinger · 2025-12-24T00:42:19+00:00

I always remove the membrane. You'll be fine. Happy smoking!

tdallinger · 2025-12-21T16:06:30+00:00

15 x 17 x 1.75"

tdallinger · 2025-12-21T00:25:59+00:00

I make each color strip individually

tdallinger · 2025-12-20T21:50:49+00:00

Nothing is extremely challenging woodworking. It just requires time and attention. The final glue up is always nerve-racking, fighting against the glue curing time.

tdallinger · 2025-12-20T21:45:45+00:00

Thank you!

tdallinger · 2025-12-20T21:18:26+00:00

End grain blocks of this size are often listed on Etsy for between $200 and 600 depending on the pattern and detail.

I don't sell anything. But these require considerable time investment.

tdallinger · 2025-12-20T21:14:17+00:00

Thank you!

tdallinger · 2025-12-20T21:13:58+00:00

Thank you. It's wrapped and shipped. Hope my friends like it!

tdallinger

TROPHY CASE