Every year at Arbortech, we are enthusiastically encouraged to participate in the annual Staff Power Carving Competition.
The rules are simple:
- Dream up any type of woodworking project
- Use at least 1 Arbortech tool
- Finish it in 3 months
At the end of the 3 months, we create a pop-up art exhibition held for one afternoon filled with laughter, music, delicious food and prizes.
It’s an interesting ‘mixed bag’ of people that work at Arbortech, from super competitive enthusiasts to more reserved humble creators. Every one of them is respected and appreciated for their contribution to the competition and of course, the part they play in the company.
Some people didn’t start their projects until a few days before the deadline (typical student style), others started on day one and chipped away at their projects every day. A few hadn’t ever picked up a power tool in their life, so needed a little guidance and a practice piece of wood to work on before they found their groove.
Regardless of their skill level or style, everyone contributed something pretty cool by the time of the exhibition. As creators of truly unique quality tools, understanding how easy it is to ‘create’ something from a scrap piece of wood feels pretty good.
All in all, it’s incredible to see the beautiful finished pieces, some of which look like they belong in an art gallery, created by people who are relatively new to the world of power carving.
Novice
Name: Melting Clock – Running Out of Time
Inspiration: Salvador Dali and the alarming rate of global warming
Wood: Camphor Laurel
Tools Used: Mini Carver with Mini Pro and Sander, Power Chisel, Contour Sander, TURBO Shaft, TURBO Plane, Sanding Pad on Power Carving Unit
Name: Octo Beer Caddy Pus
Inspiration: Being recycled boat timber, I decided to make a nautical themed item. I also wanted something practical to use
Wood: Puon Pine – Recycled Boat Timber
Tools Used: Mini Carver, Power Chisel, Mini Pro
Name: Console Table
Inspiration: I needed a table for my hallway at home and thought this console table would work well
Wood: Jarrah – Recycled picket fence
Tools Used: Power Carving Unit, Levelling Guide, Chip Catcher, TURBO Plane, Sanding Pad, Contour Sander
Name: Bunny Stool
Inspiration: I wanted to make my nieces a cute little stool they can sit on and play with
Wood: White Gum
Tools Used: Bandsaw, TURBO Plane, Sanding Pad, Power Carving Unit
Name: Don Gato
Inspiration: My Beautiful cat and how annoying my toilet’s door is
Wood: Olive Wood
Tools Used: Mini Carver, Mini Industrial, Mini Pro, Power Carving Unit, TURBO Plane, Sanding Pad, Contour Sander
Name: Treasure Chest
Inspiration: A jewellery box for my daughter. The piece of wood reminded me of a pirate treasure chest, which is why I chose it
Tools Used: TURBO Plane, Ball Gouge, Contour Sander, Power Carving Unit, Bandsaw
Name: My Favourite Three
Inspiration: Three of my favourite coffee mugs
Wood: Olive Wood
Tools Used: Mini Carver, Ball Gouge, TURBO Shaft, Mini TURBO, Sanding Pad, Contour Sander, Power Carving Unit
Name: Wok Trivet
Inspiration: Asian Wok has curved bottom which will not sit well on a normal trivet so I made one specifically for my work
Wood: Camphor
Tools Used: Mini Pro, TURBO Plane, Contour Sander, Power Carving Unit
Name: Tired Mama
Inspiration: As a busy mum of an energetic toddler, I wanted an easy project
Wood: White Gum
Tools Used: TURBO Shaft, Power Carving Unit, Sanding Pad
Name: Turbo Plane
Inspiration: A chunky cartoon appearance which also makes it resistant to the crashes and bumpy life of a toy
Wood: Blocked Plywood
Tools Used: TURBO Plane, Industrial Woodcarver, Trade Blade, TURBO Shaft
Name: Zelda Female Gnome
Inspiration: To use up wood left over from my renovation
Wood: Offcut Plywood
Tools Used: Power Carving Unit, Sanding Pad, Mini TURBO, Sanding Pad, Contour Sander
Name: Lovin’ Spoonful
Inspiration: Whilst on retreat at Jhana Grove I was doing a lot of walking through the forest, flowers and fallen timber. This piece of wood caught my attention on a possible ladle, to ladle loving kindness or metta
Tools Used: Mini TURBO, Contour Sander
Name: Layered Flower Dish
Inspiration: I really wanted to do something with Plywood as it has those lovely layers. Wasn’t really sure what I was doing so just made something simple
Wood: Marine Plywood
Tools Used: TURBO Plane, Mini Carver, Contour Sander, Power Carving Unit
Name: Apakah
Inspiration: People and Diversity
Experienced
Name: Goanna
Inspiration: I always wanted to sculpt a piece inspired by nature. This was my first attempt and I really enjoyed it
Wood: Recycled Australian Red Gum
Tools Used: Power Carving Unit, TURBO Plane, Mini Carver, Power Chisel, Contour Sander
Name: Round Stool
Inspiration: Created using a “poor man’s lathe”. I wanted to make something freehand but round at the same time
Wood: Recycled Spotted Gum / Lemon Scented Gum
Tools Used: Power Carving Unit, TURBO Plane, Sanding Pad, Industrial Woodcarver, Ball Gouge, Contour Sander
Name: Bench Seat
Inspiration: I needed a bench in the bedroom to put my shoes/socks on while sitting as my bed is too high
Wood: Red Gum (furniture grade)
Tools Used: TURBO Plane, Power Carving Unit, Sanding Pad, Contour Sander
Name: Vessel Collection
Inspiration: I wanted to showcase the scope of Arbortech woodwroking tools
Wood: Jarrah, Karri and Desert Bark
Tools Used: Ball Gouge, Mini Carver, Contour Sander, Power Carving Unit
Name: Mallee Skull
Inspiration: To create a usable piece and to make it look as natural as possible
Wood: Mallee Root
Tools Used: Ball Gouge, Mini Carver, Industrial Blade, Mini Ball Gouge, Contour Sander, TURBO Shaft, Power Carving Unit
Name: ‘Hoot’ The long eared Owl
Inspiration: Saw a Postcard in St Albans Cathederal, England that had an owl photo. I purchased it and then used it as a plan for my carving
Tools Used: TURBO Plane, Power Chisel, TURBO Shaft, Contour Sander, Mini Carver
Name: Lady of the Lake
Inspiration: What I saw in the wood
Wood: Gilmit
Tools Used: Every Arbortech tool!
Name: Bowl
Wood: Offcut pine
Tools Used: Industrial Blade, Power Carving Unit, Mini TURBO, Ball Gouge, Sanding Pad, Contour Sander
Name: Less is more
Inspiration: I needed a soap dish for the newly renovated bathroom. I decided to create minimalistic soap dish that combines square and round geometric forms, and textured, tactile surfaces
Wood: Jarrah
Tools Used: Mini TURBO, Ball Gouge, Power Chisel
Name: Olive Wood Baguette Natter
Inspiration: Friends used a ceramic version at a dinner party recently
Wood: Olive
Tools Used: TURBO Plane, Ball Gouge, Contour Sander, Power Carving Unit
1 Comment
great stuff. I do have most of your tools, but would like a list of all your tools to see if I have them all. thank you……..Dennis Packer.