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Wood for carving and outdoors.

  • 02-03-2012 9:37pm
    #1
    eorna
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 408 ✭✭


    Hi,
    I have a commission to do an outdoor piece of sculpture. Can anyone advise me which wood I should use - need something that carves well and will last well outdoors. It will be painted -so protected. Just relief carving. I'm thinking oak? I'm told elm is lovely to carve but am not sure if it's good outdoors. Larch, scots pine? Up to this I've only carved pieces for inside so need a bit of advice. Thanks. :)


Comments

  • #2
    eorna
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 408 ✭✭eorna


    Well if anyone is interested - I finally ordered an 8ft x 12"x12" length of Oak. And think I got a REALLY good deal with it. So collecting it soon and really looking forward to carving it. :)


  • #3
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    Only saw your post today.

    Oak is a fine timber for carving, and it is durable.
    Do you know know the moisture content?
    I ask because Irish Oak in particular, has a tendency to move and split as it dries. Obviously this would have implications for your carving.
    If you don't know the moisture content - can you find out when it was converted from the log? Or is it a reclaimed beam?
    Timber takes 1 year per 1 inch to dry naturally (if well stored) but kiln drying speeds up this process.


  • #4
    kadman
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 5,126 Mod ✭✭✭✭kadman


    eorna wrote: »
    Well if anyone is interested - I finally ordered an 8ft x 12"x12" length of Oak. And think I got a REALLY good deal with it. So collecting it soon and really looking forward to carving it. :)

    8 cubic feet of oak, pricey methinks. How good a deal.

    Elm is a beautiful timber ,but depends on where its used as regards durability.

    It fairs well in water, and it fairs well in dry places. But both types of climates, can play havoc with it. It was used for deep well pumpshafts decades ago, for your local village pumps.

    A very old saying about elm was,

    Keep me wet or keep me dry,
    And the heart of oak I will defy,

    good luck with the carving,

    kadman


  • #5
    richiek67
    Closed Accounts Posts: 305 ✭✭richiek67


    Yeah, Oak would be the way to go... I agree with the moisture content aspect ...Make sure its moisture content is low or It'll crack over time, Oak is a B*****d for moving but a great wood over time....


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