ice carving techniques

 

ice carving techniques

This is a listing of the various ice carving technique articles on the site. The techniques are primarily organized according to the stages outlined in the Ice Carving Steps entry. There are some other categories, including a very important one, “Emphasis on Safety” to reinforce the most important part of carving ice! You’ll see duplicate entries as some entries apply to multiple categories. More short tips can be found on the quick tips page. Also, remember that you can use the blog search function to find a particular design or article as well. If you found a technique useful, please comment on how it helped you and email a picture if you can. Make sure to use caution when experimenting with a new tool or carving technique! Most of the techniques are appropriate for intermediate level ice carvers. Please do not attempt any of the techniques if you are not completely comfortable with the process as ice carving tools can be VERY dangerous!


design

controlling drips
designing for silhouette
color effects in ice
designing sculptures that extend outside the block
adding corners to circular sculptures for handling and protection
making a luge out of almost any sculpture
luge Funnels
dealing with backside detail in photos
designing a sculpture: Stars of the party design
printing templates with a standard inkjet printer
why the dotted lines on the templates?


execution

chainsaw kickback hazards
tool actions and effects
basic tools
splitting a block of ice (video)
conical endmill comparison (video)
aluminum welding (video)
dealing with fractures
dealing with fractures, “Jonah” & “Ancestral Spirit”
dealing with adverse environments in competition
repairing breaks
adding corners to circular sculptures for handling and protection
ice pick uses
Junichi saw
extreme detail
color effects in ice
double detailing
dealing with electricity and water
power tool safety
making a luge out of almost any sculpture
luge Funnels
dealing with backside detail in photos
welding ice with aluminum plate
tubing tips
bullet burr die grinder bit
nailboards
cutting spheres from ice
more cutting spheres
Brice bubble bit
freezing items into blocks

preservation & transportation

adding corners to circular sculptures for handling and protection
preserving sculptures for transport
moving ice with a handtruck


display

gels for color
solid foundation for displays
controlling drips
adding corners to circular sculptures for handling and protection
keep your displayed ice in place
emergency ice tray
welding ice with aluminum plate
tubing tips
LED lighting (from Aaron Costic)
LED lighting
pumps for ice bars
trays for larger carvings (bars, etc.)
meltwater drainage container


breakdown

ice pick uses
pumps for ice bars


emphasis on SAFETY!

chainsaw kickback hazards
dealing with electricity and water
power tool safety
wire mesh safety glasses
when ice falls
when ice falls 2
when ice falls 3
when ice falls 4
minor accident in Alaska 2008
ice sculpture vandalism


tools: various

power tool safety
ice pick uses
chainsaw: splitting a block of ice (video)
chainsaw kickback hazards
nailboards
chisel restoration: before
chisel restoration: after
score stick
Junichi saw


tools: bit by bit (die grinder bits)

bullet burr bit, Makita GD0800C & GE0600 die grinders
conical endmill comparison (video)
Brice bubble bit
power tool safety


tools: CNC machines

Saab ice car
man vs. machine
CNC: an ice carving robot
rise of the machines


photography

taking ice photos
examples from Patrick Endres
dealing with backside detail in photos
gels for color
background problems


video techniques

splitting a block
conical endmill comparison
aluminum welding (video)



Upcoming technique articles include:

Ice sculpture set-up guide
More bits
Channel luges
Tube luges
The sounds ice makes
Snow