One of a Kind Wood Carvings: September 2012

In 1973 my brother gave me a set of Buck carving gouges. He asked that I make a carving for him with the set. I never did get into carving with gouges. I made a couple of relief carvings but used my Swiss Army knife and an Exacto knife and that was it. Then, in 2005 I retired and Pat and I downsized and had a huge yard sale. The Buck carving gouges found a good home that summer. Fast forward to present time and I'm into carving in a big way. As you know, in 2009 a Dremel replaced the Exacto knife and just last week, I stepped up to a Mastercarver Flex-Shaft carving system.

Above is my carving bench, vacuum system and new Mastercarver. The object of this post is standing on the center of the vacuum opening in the carving bench. That's "Chesty" the USMC Mascot Bulldog. "Chesty" (I hope) is to be added to my brother's "War Room." And after all this time, "Chesty" is going to be the surprise piece long in waiting since 1973 to be carved just for my brother, Bob.

Bob is a retired military Vet. His years in the service include the Marines, Air Force and Army Reserve. He was deployed to "Desert Storm." However, it is his Marine service that he is most proud of. As they say, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."

And so "Chesty" is the piece that I believe will have a place of honor in his "War Room."

"Chesty" started out as a 12"X3"X3" piece of basswood.

"Chesty" stands 5 1/4" tall.

"Chesty's" pose is from a picture of a lawn ornament I found on the web.

First, he's cut out on the band saw.

With some practice, I've learned to cut out the sides, front and rear by holding all of the cut pieces in place. Of course, that means I've got to be careful how I hold all the loose pieces in place... or else keep the band-aids handy!

But, when successful you can save an enormous amount of time.

Much of "Chesty" was carved with the Dremel. Work on "Chesty" was put on the shelve due to our trip north this summer.

In short order "Chesty" was beginning to look "mean."

"Chesty's" ears were not fit to represent a Marine Mascot. Time for some "surgery."

After a "painless" surgery, "Chesty" is proud of his "new" ears!

I received the Mastercarver soon after we returned from our trip north. I worked all of "Chesty's" details with the Mastercarver. It took me an hour or two to get used to the feel of the Mastercarver handpiece and foot pedal. I'm still waiting on the Detail Pro handpiece (back ordered) but the system was well worth the expense.

Now it's time for "Chesty" to "get into" his dress blues...