How to Sculpt with a Chainsaw

Sculpting with chainsaws first gained popularity in the 1950s when lumbermen made sculptures with their chainsaws during their lunch breaks. Now, the art is gaining in popularity, perhaps fueled by the Internet, and chainsaw sculpting schools offer eager students the opportunity to become chainsaw sculptors. Read this eHow to learn how to sculpt with a chainsaw.

Things You'll Need

• Hearing and eye protection
• Heavy protective pants or chaps
• Safety boots
• Saw for roughing in larger pieces
• Saw for doing detail work

Instructions

1. Purchase a saw. You may find these at your local equipment and hardware stores, or you may go online to such websites as the Alaska Decoy Company or Bailey's Online.

2. Purchase safety equipment. You will need hearing and eye protection, heavy protective pants or chaps and safety boots.

3. Acquire a chainsaw sculpting kit. These are available at such sites as Bailey's Online, or the Alaska Decoy Company.

4. Attend a chainsaw sculpting school. Two noted schools are the Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving and Kenny School of Chainsaw Carving.

5. Start practicing what you have learned with softer woods. Dennis Roghair, a noted chainsaw carver, described white pine as being "easily carved but hard enough to hold fine detail." With practice, you will be able to carve the harder woods also such as walnut, oak and basswood.

Resources

• The Alaska Decoy Company has chainsaw carving equipment
• The Columbia News Service has an informative article on sculpting with chainsaws.
• Dennis Roghair, a chainsaw sculptor, has a website which includes FAQs, and pictures of his artwork
• Bailey's Online has chainsaw carving packages.
• Resource for chainsaw sculptors.
• Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving is "the only state-licensed chainsaw carving school in the United States".
• George Kenny School of Chainsaw Carving is located in Allyn, Wash.