DIY Network

Lisa Foster: Chainsaw Carved Bench Turning wood planks into functional art. From "Woodsculpting" episode DWDS-113

	Woodsculpter Lisa Foster gets into a "groove" with her chainsaw.

This gal from Hamilton, Montana proves that chainsaws are not meant just for chopping down trees. And, more importantly, not just for burly lumberjacks. After taking some pointers from another artist, Lisa Foster, a former model and full time single mother, has become a master carver in her own right.

Using a chainsaw as her "brush," Lisa has created everything from statues to furniture out of planks and logs of wood as seen in the photos to the right. She gets most of her wood from a local lumber yard.

Living in a beautiful Montana Valley, Lisa Foster finds it easy to get into the grove of the chainsaw. "Yea, it keeps you calm." reveals Lisa, "I like looking far out into the mountains - watching the sun rise behind me and the sun set on the Bitterroot Mountains."

Award-winning chainsaw artist Lisa Foster shows how to carve a unique bench that’s fitting for any rustic décor—a work of art that’s pleasing to look at and great for relaxing!

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Materials:

chainsaw with 32-inch bar
chainsaw with 12-inch "dime tip" bar
ponderosa pine log
2 pine planks
eye and ear protection
tape measure
pencil
propane torch
grinder with flop sander attachment

Steps:

1. Cut a Ponderosa pine log lengthwise in half using the chainsaw with the 32-inch bar (Figures A & B). These two half-logs will be the bench ends.

Figure A

Figure B

2. Plane the ends of two pine planks flat using the chainsaw with the 12-inch bar (Figure C). These two planks will serve as the bench seat and bench backrest.

3. Measure up 18 inches from the ground and mark with a pencil (Figures D & E). This will be the height of the bench plank.

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

4. Notch the ends of the seat plank so it will fit tightly into the slots that will be cut into the supports (Figures F & G). Also, bevel the edges of the seat to make the plank more comfortable (Figure H).

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

5. Cut out each of the slots into the bench ends so that the seat plank fits snugly on each end (Figures I, J, K & L).

Figure I

Figure J

Figure K

Figure L

6. Insert bench seat to test for snug fit (Figures M & N).

7. Next, measure and mark the height for the back rest (Figure O).

Figure M

Figure N

Figure O

8. Notch out the top ends on each end post for the backrest, and cut slots into each of the bench supports (Figures P & Q).

9. Insert back rest into slots and test for snug fit (Figure R).

Figure P

Figure Q

Figure R

10. This is where your creativity comes into play. Begin to carve decorative elements into each bench post support using chainsaw with 12-inch bar (Figures S, T, & U).

Figure S

Figure T

Figure U

11. Then move on to carve decorative elements into the back and seat using the chainsaw with 12-inch bar (Figures V & W).

Figure V

Figure W

12. Burn the design elements using a propane torch (Figures X, Y, & Z).

Figure X

Figure Y

Figure Z

13. Using a grinder with flop sander attachment, sand away most of the burn marks (Figures AA, BB, & CC).

Figure AA

Figure BB

Figure CC

Figure DD

14. Re-insert bench seat and backrest into the notches (Figure DD).

RESOURCES :

Fox Chapel Publishing Co.
Publishers of
Woodcarving Illustrated magazine and numerous books on woodcarving.
1970 Broad Street
East Petersburg, PA 17520

Websites:
www.foxchapelpublishing.com

Fox Chapel Publishing, featured authors

Special DIY page at www.woodcarvingillustrated.com

Woodcarving Illustrated magazine
Website: www.woodcarvingillustrated.com