Hand-carved slab commissioned by Underhill Bonsai (Folsom, Louisiana)

[BillsBayou]

A client of Underhill Bonsai wants to create a dense forest of elms. I was asked to carve the slab for the project. The finished width is 46". Depth is 21". It's a piece of Pennsylvania Bluestone. The stone has. Good spirit and cooperated with the commissioned design.

The second photo is a HUGE two-slab planting of bald cypress. I posted a video of this last year. On Friday, I returned to the nursery for our first full styling of the piece. A video of that will come out soon.

 

[JackHammer]

What is your weapon of choice to carve something like this? Maybe a diamond grinding wheel on an angle grinder?

 

[BillsBayou]

What is your weapon of choice to carve something like this? Maybe a diamond grinding wheel on an angle grinder?

Facemask respirator is the first thing I think about using. Here's a video I did to give an idea of what it can take.

 

[19Mateo83]

The fire gives an awesome finish to freshly worked rock. Very cool video and very cool rock work, thank you for sharing!

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Nice work Sir! that's an eye opening video, although I usually use the safety squint while grinding and wire wheeling!

 

[August44]

Facemask respirator is the first thing I think about using. Here's a video I did to give an idea of what it can take.

How do you anchor the trees to the slab if I can ask?

 

[BillsBayou]

How do you anchor the trees to the slab if I can ask?

Bosch carbide stone bits are my choice. Slow trickle of water, let the tool do the work.

 

[August44]

Bosch carbide stone bits are my choice. Slow trickle of water, let the tool do the work.

Can I assume that you are using a hammer drill with the stone bits? Thank you.

 

[JackHammer]

Nice work Sir! that's an eye opening video, although I usually use the safety squint while grinding and wire wheeling!

I got a MRI one time and it seems that construction workers removing metal shavings from their corneas was a common request.

 

[BillsBayou]

Nice work Sir! that's an eye opening video, although I usually use the safety squint while grinding and wire wheeling!

Ah yes. The old "safety squint" approach. I feel there's a great list of safety tips for the backyard DIY guys out there.

Let's see (if we can) identify every safety measure I use:
Safety Squint: Because it's only sparks ya' Nancy.
Wet Shirt Dust Mask: Protects you from everything.
Safety Hacking Cough: If you can cough it up, you'll be fine.
Gloves are for ladies: Never trust a man without scars.
Screwdriver Voltage Check: Why go to the box twice if you can trip the breaker from here?
Only hurts the first time: Voltage, fire, shards, bricks ...
Office Chair Step Ladder: Your balance is fine because you don't drink at work.
8-Foot Ladder Walk: Rocking the ladder forward is easier than climbing down and back up.
Bricks are chocks: If you can't push a car over a brick, it won't roll on its own.
Measure once, cut once: Going to Home Depot twice is a break from your wife.
Fumes are good for you: A good high is the reward of a job well done.
Neighbor with a camera: If no one is recording your performance, you're good to continue.
One story roofs won't kill you: They give you stories to tell at Thanksgiving.
No help needed: Emergency room trips are cheaper if only one person goes.
Worried people are funny: The more they scream, the more you laugh.

 

[BillsBayou]

Can I assume that you are using a hammer drill with the stone bits? Thank you.

Never. The carbide bits go through the stone rather easily. A hammer drill is unnecessary. Hammering into a middle portion of the slab makes me nervous.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Funny stuff Bill.
I've actually said and or done 90% of those items in my foolish life.

 

[19Mateo83]

Never. The carbide bits go through the stone rather easily. A hammer drill is unnecessary. Hammering into a middle portion of the slab makes me nervous.

And if you find a really hard stone slab that the carbides don’t work on there’s always diamond hole saws, no need for a hammer drill… ever.

 

[BillsBayou]

Funny stuff Bill.
I've actually said and or done 90% of those items in my foolish life.

Whereas I've stopped doing 70% of those items.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Same here, haven't been to ER in nearly 25 years.