How about a gator in walnut

[CNCest]

First pic is halfway through the finish cut. Second pic is after stain and poly. Third pic is finished.

 

[Rjgooden]

Wow incredible!!!!!

 

[mquan01]

What Big Ron said....

 

[chris_goris]

Cool piece! But Im curious why walnut if youre going to paint it? Seems like a piece of soft maple wouldve worked just as well (in my experience).

 

[CNCest]

The gator did look great just stained. I carve the pieces first. The decision of which to have painted comes later. My painter is very good with animals, so I sent it to her. I source wood slabs locally and prefer using hardwoods only. Lately there is not much of a price difference between walnut and maple.

 

[mdbuntyn]

Lately there is not much of a price difference between walnut and maple.

Must be nice, because down here walnut costs 60%-70% more

 

[mattfrit]

Looks awesome.

Is this two sided? If yes, how'd you cut the back side?

 

[CNCest]

The gator is flat on the back. I have not tried to carve both sides of a relief carving. I have relief cut an object in 2 separate halves and then glued them together to get a full 3D piece. So it is tricky but can be done.