[Woodcarver] Re:Advice for carving repair - Thanks and more questions

[Victor Hamburger]

> "Alex Bisso" <albisso at bresnan.net>

> 

> Questions: 

> How large does the hole from the bottom up into the carving have to be 

> to be effective and how far up into the 3' tall statue do I have to go 

> to be effective?

> (I might be able to do a 1..25" hole to a depth of 18")


Alex,

Glad you found the idea of a center hole useful.  Dr. Bruce Hoadley, in one of 
his two fine books (Understanding Wood, I believe) talks about never having the 
pith (center) of the wood in the finished work.  Drilling it out will relieve a 
lot of tension and pressure for you.  I suspect, based on Ivan's comments, that 
even a 1.25" hole up into the upper chest area will help you.  Pehaps drilling 
down thru the top of the head with a slightly smaller bit and then plugging the 
first inch of that hole with a bit of basswood would also relieve the stresses 
in that area.

Heck, you're the guy who drilled a hole end to end in a dowel, and you're 
worried about coming out in the shoulder area? I DON'T think so!! LOL!!

Best,	Vic H