carving wood

[mwal]

Where do you guys get your decoy carving wood? May want to try making some of my own.

Mwal

[Jameson]

additional question, what is good wood for carving?

[shamalex72]

I use cedar that I get from a local lumber yard.

[leechlake]

basswood would be the first choice. Relatively inexpensive and easy to carve with.

[jasonmichalski]

Never use basswood it cracks in the cold water! Use cedar I get mine

from behind my house and my grandpas and get it milled.

[Jaymo99]

good luck with the decoys mwal. I was about to ask the same question. I've done a few out of bass wood and jasonmichalsi is right they crack esp the paint after just a coupld of seasons.

So Ceder is the way to go, but more questions: is reg. ceder from a lunber yard best or would "raw" cedar be better? also is there a differance between red and white cedar?

lastly when you carve them do you use hand tools or power? )Is cedar dust toxic?)

[hydro]

So Ceder is the way to go, but more questions: is reg. ceder from a lunber yard best or would "raw" cedar be better? also is there a differance between red and white cedar?

lastly when you carve them do you use hand tools or power? )Is cedar dust toxic?)

As someone with a long history in woodworking, I will try and answer your wood specific question.

There are three distinct types of cedar referenced in the first part of your question. There is "Aromatic Red Cedar", the red and white stuff that you put into closets which is actually a juniper species. It is smooth grained and will carve well but suitability for underwater use is questionable, your call on that one. Finding thick stock in lumber yards is not going to happen, but it grows wild all over central Minnesota and is considered a weed tree so you could find some locally. Next, there is "Western Red Cedar", the stuff that you buy at the lumber yard and build decks out of. It is a little splintery and quite soft, but has good resistance to decay and would most likely work well for decoys. Last there is the "White Cedar" that grows here in northern Minnesota. It is more difficult to find at lumber yards but if you can score some it would be ideal for both carving and water resistance.

You can use hand tools or rough shape with a band saw and sander on any of the woods listed above. As far as toxicity, there is some concern with long term exposure to Western Red Cedar dust but for what you are doing there should be no issue. Wear a dust mask if you are concerned.

Have fun carving and post some pics!

[Dorkfish]

I use the plain old red cedar you buy at lowes or Home Depot. Make sure that it's not full of cracks or naughts. And I always wear a mask because saw dust does not taste the best. Band saw and power sander here and than detail work by hand. Pine also works as well which is what I am currently using

[Neighbor_guy]

I get white cedar when I can, but the #1 pine with straight grain and no knots from Menards is what I end up working with the most. I cut out the shapes on the band saw then do most of my "carving" with knives and files.

[Archerysniper]

I get white cedar when I can, but the #1 pine with straight grain and no knots from Menards is what I end up working with the most. I cut out the shapes on the band saw then do most of my "carving" with knives and files.

Well I have the decoy lead in my truck for you might as well throw in the white cedar 32" 6x6 I have for you to play with.

[mwal]

Thanks for the Ideas. I will go to the lumber Mill by my cabin In WI next time I am up and see if they have any white cedar otherwise I will pickup some pine to practice on.

Mwal