Carving a Bench from a Log

I live in a part of the world where trees are literally laying around on the ground. Hardwood logs, oak, cherry, hackberry, maple and more. Softwood logs also abound, pine – white and red, spruce, fir and others. And as we all know ... logs are wood. But as a woodworker, I was a bit flummoxed as to how to make use of this bounty. Then I became aware of power carving.  

Power carving is just what it sounds like, using a handheld power tool (usually a grinder) outfitted with a special cutter of some sort to shape wood. With that in hand and a log on your bench, you begin making sawdust, turning your log into a useful item (hopefully).  

This bench was my first attempt at power carving. I can’t say it was a work of art, but I was pleased with the results of my efforts. I learned how to use specific cutters most effectively, and how not to use them. It taught me how much carving I wanted to do vs. how much cutting. But most importantly, I found out that I really enjoyed the process. 

Even though the style of the bench did not fit into our outdoor decor (as determined by my wife Mary who grows stunning flower gardens), I was able to sell the bench in no time. 

So, as my new life outside of the corporate world unfolds, turning trees into furniture (and other things) will become a more important part of what I do. Stay tuned to this space for more on this exciting topic!