Several years ago, I designed this luge to be "something different" for a frequent client. Since then, I've carved it many times. The basic idea is simple, and the same as any luge: pour a liquid in one end, it comes out the other end. The key to this design, and what makes it unusual, is the plumbing. The liquid poured into the luge splits, flows down on both sides of

the ring, and comes back together to exit the bottom spout, into the guest's waiting glass. The plumbing consists of a "funnel," four lengths of clear tuding, and two "T" fittings (see the last two photos in this entry) that first split, then reunite the liquid. A photo of the plumbing before it’s added to the luge is shown below, to the right.

    The design of the ice portion is straightforward and is made up of the ring, two support legs, a base, and embellishments that include the luge entrance and exit. This sculpture doesn't require a full thickness block and can be cut from a 4-5 inch thick slab. The ice and the plumbing are combined by cutting a track in the back of the sculpture, drilling the entrance and exit so that they line up with the track and then carefully fitting the plumbing in to the cut path. (see the graphic above, on the left) The plumbing is frozen into the sculpture by packing wet slush into the track  over the tubing and freezing it solid.

    When the sculpture is displayed, it helps if the liquid poured through the luge is colored, so that it's more visible as it flows around the ring. The center of the ring can be cut out and left empty, or some sort of floral or other decoration can be placed in the center. Or, if you choose not to cut out the center, there's just enough space for a small logo or names.

    If you would like to use this design or any other design on this site, please check the design usage guidelines. The design collection page lists designs on the site.