Totem pole work

[geneso]

Hello,

Two years ago a grateful patient supplied me with a Port Orford cedar log suitable for creating a Totem pole. I am retired now and am ready to tackle this project this winter in my garage.

I learned about using a 4 inch grinder with special wheels for shaping, but would appreciate information I can receive regarding the creation of a Totem pole. If there are specific tools and grades that remove material quickly but smoothly, I want to hear about them. Any and all advice will be greatfully received.

Thanks in advance,

Geneso

[Don]

Hey, Geneso and welcome to the forum. I'm going to have to go through some old pictures in the next couple of days. I know the guys on the forum aren't going to believe this, but I've made a totem pole too. Many moons ago. The neighbor and I carved one out of an old palm trunk, which was not to the right stuff, but it was straight and fun to do. I'll find the pictures and post it if possible. I'll tell you a little about how we did it then. It was just for fun, nothing historically accurate at all.

UPDATE - Well, I found one picture at least, had to go through an old shoe box full of thirty year old memories to find it. I know I have a better picture than this, but finding it will be a job for later. This picture is so bad, you can't see the top or bottom, the eagle's wings are washed out into the background sky. Anyway we made it by laying it out with magic marker, then slicing off the major bits with a good handsaw. Then it was chiseling from there for details. There are many new wonderful carving tools out there that we didn't have back then. One of the most fun is the chainsaw on a disc. This fits a disc grinder and removes material like crazy. I've got one somewhere that I use to remove material in hard to reach spots. Good luck and keep us posted with pictures. Maybe other members can chime in.

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/503/medium/TOTEM.jpg

UPDATE, I found another picture, enjoy!

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/503/medium/CROP-totem2.jpg
All the best, Don