A Bear From Log to Finish (Picture Heavy)

[Rings Я Us]

We have a guy that's by us that does some stuff kinda like that. they call him chainsaw man of Michigan. you can get to see stuff he does at our bigger at fairs here some years.. Edwin Szkapala fun to see the progressions over a couple days.

Art* fairs

 

[Bearcarver]

Thank You Chopsaw!!

It means even more coming from another Lifelong Woodworker.

Bear

 

[rambo1964]

I've only been on the forum a short time, so this is the first time seeing this. So glad you bumped the post. Really enjoyed your how to. Great work loved the pictures especially the one of the real bear climbing the tree to get to your bear....too funny.

 

[Bearcarver]

Yes cool as heck.. Lol the dove has a guard.. that dum bear chasing your carving.. haha funny man!

Thanks Johnny!

Bear

I've only been on the forum a short time, so this is the first time seeing this. So glad you bumped the post. Really enjoyed your how to. Great work loved the pictures especially the one of the real bear climbing the tree to get to your bear....too funny.

Thank You Rambo!
Appreciate that.

Bear

 

[idahopz]

Wow Bear, you're quite the artist!

 

[Bearcarver]

I've only been on the forum a short time, so this is the first time seeing this. So glad you bumped the post. Really enjoyed your how to. Great work loved the pictures especially the one of the real bear climbing the tree to get to your bear....too funny.

Thanks Rambo!!
They still attack that little guy up there!!
And Thanks for the "Like".

Bear

Wow Bear, you're quite the artist!

Thank You PZ !!
Ever since I did the Bear Carving, it's hard to look at a nice sized Tree or Log, without imagining what I could make out of it, if I could still do it.
Thanks for the "Like"

Bear

 

[yankee2bbq]

Just read this post, and wow...God has given you a talent. Things happen for a reason. I enjoyed learning about you.

 

[Bearcarver]

Just read this post, and wow...God has given you a talent. Things happen for a reason. I enjoyed learning about you.

Thank You!!
Appreciate the nice comments!

Bear

 

[SonnyE]

Wonderful post Bear!
About the most I've accomplished with my chainsaws was cords and cords of firewood. LOL!
I did build my own version of an Alaska Chainsaw Mill once. And milled out oak fence posts and rough cut boards with it.
I liked looking around your shop in the pole barn, Unisaw, and is that a Biesemeyer or Jet fence on it?
My Unisaw is still ready in my garage shop here. 5 HP, 10" blade, Platinum Edition. Biesemeyer fence.
I got too broke down to handle the sheets anymore. But she's still there, still ready to work.
My Woodworking was more towards furniture pieces, and DIY remodeling.
I was raised in the City, by a real country boy from a farm in Alton, Illinois. Gave me all I need to live on the edge of anywhere I've lived.
Work hard, eat well, sleep good.
I still have a couple of running chainsaws in my shop. But had the last two trees taken down this last summer. When I can't do the trimming myself, it got too expensive to hire it out.
A lot has changed in our lifetimes, Bear. A lot.
And I bet we are very close in age as well.

Thank You for the tour, and showing us your marvelous carving skills. You are a true Natural, Sir.
And Thank You for your Service! (It seems that isn't said enough...)

Happy New Year to your and Mrs. Bear and all of the Family!

 

[bdskelly]

Yup. A true artist with a chainsaw. But you should see this man with an MES!

 

[GaryHibbert]

Thankfully, you post this every year around this time. And every year I reread it and again marvel at the quality of your workmanship John. Please don't ever miss a year. I look forward to seeing it and would really miss the pleasure of the pictures.
I'd give you POINTS every year if that were allowed.
Gary

 

[Bearcarver]

Wonderful post Bear!
About the most I've accomplished with my chainsaws was cords and cords of firewood. LOL!
I did build my own version of an Alaska Chainsaw Mill once. And milled out oak fence posts and rough cut boards with it.
I liked looking around your shop in the pole barn, Unisaw, and is that a Biesemeyer or Jet fence on it?
My Unisaw is still ready in my garage shop here. 5 HP, 10" blade, Platinum Edition. Biesemeyer fence.
I got too broke down to handle the sheets anymore. But she's still there, still ready to work.
My Woodworking was more towards furniture pieces, and DIY remodeling.
I was raised in the City, by a real country boy from a farm in Alton, Illinois. Gave me all I need to live on the edge of anywhere I've lived.
Work hard, eat well, sleep good.
I still have a couple of running chainsaws in my shop. But had the last two trees taken down this last summer. When I can't do the trimming myself, it got too expensive to hire it out.
A lot has changed in our lifetimes, Bear. A lot.
And I bet we are very close in age as well.

Thank You for the tour, and showing us your marvelous carving skills. You are a true Natural, Sir.
And Thank You for your Service! (It seems that isn't said enough...)

Happy New Year to your and Mrs. Bear and all of the Family!

Thank You Sonny!!
I Appreciate the nice words.

The saw isn't a Unisaw---It's actually a Grizzly, but it gave me 15 years of Great service & my Son has had it for another 15 years so far. I only ever changed the main bearings once, and they need it again.
That Fence is an 80" Biesemeyer. Much bigger than I needed, but I got it for $75.
When I closed my shop, I sold my Planer, 37" Drum Sander, Shaper, Boring machine, Radial saw, and Spindle Sander.
Then I gave my Son the Table Saw, Drill Press, Band Saw, Binks Air Assisted Airless Sprayer, Dust collector system, and many of my portable power tools (Mostly Porter Cable).
You have a Great New Year too!!

Bear

 

[HalfSmoked]

Wow another year has passed and the memories of looking back over this is as always awesome. Thanks for all your postings and help.

Warren

 

[Bearcarver]

Wow another year has passed and the memories of looking back over this is as always awesome. Thanks for all your postings and help.

Warren

Thank You Warren!!
Always Glad to help, If & When I can.:)

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

Yup. A true artist with a chainsaw. But you should see this man with an MES!

Thank You Brian!
Wish I could still do the carving.

Bear

Thankfully, you post this every year around this time. And every year I reread it and again marvel at the quality of your workmanship John. Please don't ever miss a year. I look forward to seeing it and would really miss the pleasure of the pictures.
I'd give you POINTS every year if that were allowed.
Gary

Thank You Gary!!
I Appreciate the Kind Words.

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

@DrewJ ---Thank You for the Like, Drew!!

Bear

 

[Jeff Wright]

First I ever saw this. Very cool work, Bear. How long from start to finish?

 

[Hawging It]

Amazing work! You are definitely an artist!

 

[Tex1911]

Holy Smokes Batman! I am new to this forum and I'm really glad this thread came back to life. Is it not a sticky? If not, it should be. OK Bear, since being here I now see you are Da man with MES and now I learn you are also Da Man with the carvings. So,...................... I wonder if anyone can tell where I'm going with this.............................. Yep.

I say you should carve a wooden MES clone and smoke with it. Yes sir, that would be an awesome smoker rat thar. Man, a wooden smoker. Talk about being insulated!!!!

I noticed you said you don't/can't carve anymore but maybe you can find a student? Pass along the skills? Just a thought. Maybe a neighbor? Friend? Family member? Or if you come to S Texas, maybe a fellow forum member? I dunno, maybe a guy called Tex 1911? LOL.

Nice work and finally, thank you for your service to our great country! (Tip hat). Thank you.

 

[Bearcarver]

First I ever saw this. Very cool work, Bear. How long from start to finish?

Thank You Jef!!
The 6' & 7' Grizzlies took about 60 hours, and all the little Black Bear Cubs took about 40, except the one climbing my end logs. That one was about 50 hours, because I had to get the Paws to all fall on a log of it's own.
That's actual carving time, with an Old man doing about 2 to 3 hours per day.
And Thanks for the Like.

Bear