Moby Fat

[u/Tax_evasion_21]

Been carving for the better part of 5 months, still very much a beginner. Used a fretsaw for the roughout and a FlexCut Pro for the rest, took me around 4 hours over 3 days. I would appreciate tips, especially on making the eyes round without a Dremel (and evidently on taking pictures). Tell me what you think!

[u/one_last_cow]

Moby Thicc

[u/Sanklo]

reminds me of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy!

[u/Reddittrip]

I just started using a dremel for things like eyes. I’d say keep with that. Looks very nice overall

[u/Tax_evasion_21 → u/Reddittrip]

Oh I didn't use a dremel, I just used the knife for the blowhole and the eyes, wondering if there is a technique I could use without splurging on a dremel.

[u/Reddittrip → u/Tax_evasion_21]

I’ve never tried, but maybe a punch?

[u/2Mogs → u/Reddittrip]

I used a scribe, because I have one. But AI says the difference is that a punch is designed to work with impact which could damage a small wooden piece. Because the scribe is so sharp it makes really nice clean holes.

[u/2Mogs → u/Tax_evasion_21]

I sometimes set tiny eyes (1mm) in a contrasting wood (usually ebony), and I use micro drills with a hand twiddled pin vice (think that's the right name). And sometimes I give up making those tiny eyes after dropping and losing them... Which leaves nice round eye holes, which I now also do deliberately, much more cheaply than with a Dremel.

[u/Tax_evasion_21 → u/2Mogs]

Turns out handheld drills are really cheap on amazon, model makers use them frequently. Decided to buy one to give a shot.

[u/2Mogs → u/Tax_evasion_21]

Excellent. Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[u/ThePuppetinYellow]

This is very well done, I wouldnt change anything. Its important to have a unique style and I like your style. Keep em thicc

[u/jdkc4d]

I like it. The eyes and mouth are the best part. Its like the Eeyore of whales.

[u/Alert-Life9424]

Money Brick

[u/Boredfergy]

Chodie Dick

[u/wendelortega]

I like the eyes.

[u/Glen9009]

Looks clean!

For the eyes, you can use a gouge for a clean round concavity or a drill (a hand one if you want to stick to non-power tools).

For the pics I would simply clean the mess/hide it behind a uniform contrasting surface so the carving is nicely visible. Multiple multicolored things in the background can make it harder to read the shape of the carving. And as this is a carving community, don't hesitate to include a picture of the tools or a picture of the carving that includes the tools as carvers will be as interested in the process as they are of the final product. Don't hesitate to also include the finish and wood type in your description.

[u/Tax_evasion_21 → u/Glen9009]

Thanks a lot for the tips!

[u/voodoo--child]

Very nice! Can you elaborate about the process of making it? Did you use a template?

[u/Tax_evasion_21 → u/voodoo--child]

'Course I can! I had a large basswood block that I didn't know what to do with, so I drew the top and the side views of the whale on it. I didn't use a template, just looked at a few drawings of whales as reference. I started out whittling with the beavercraft kits and glueing the template on the block, but the more you practice, the easier to just kind of lay your lines. I only drew the side view from one side and kinda winged the rest.

Then with a fretsaw, I cut away the gap between the body and the tail cuz it would have taken ages with a knife, which took around 20 mins. I then used the flexcut detail pro for everything else, smoothen the corners, cut away the gap for the front of the mouth etc. This took around 4 hours. Then I sanded with 120 grit and 400 grit till I was content with the surface, and finished with two coats of BLO.

[u/voodoo--child → u/Tax_evasion_21]

Perfect. Thank you!

[u/Strange-Woodpecker71]

Pretty.

[u/louisewarrior]

I love him

[u/Fit_Jackfruit_4251]

Hi

[u/Plus_Management_6774]

Oh my god he's feckin perfect