first time cutting a gourd - blades? dust? stain?

19 years ago

Hi -

I am new to carving and cutting goards, but not to goard growing! I have a dozen or so dry goards that I grew several years ago to use for decorations. I've tried a few things, like painting with acrylics, (paint just peeled off) but I've seen these lovely deep looking stains, so I think I will try some colored wood stain I have, and maybe leather stain.. where do I get that? A few things I've read say that you need a respirator because the gourd has some mold etc.. is that necessary? I have no allergies or asthma... the main question, can I use a scroll saw blade to cut by hand? I saw these gourds carved like jack o lanterns, and that is what I'd like to try. I see some of you using pumpkin carver blades.. .are you talking about those cheap plastic and metal ones you get in a childs carving kit? are they sharp enough? I don't really want to invest in expensive tools and respirators until I see if I like doing this... I've had great luck growing these things, but now what do I do???? :)

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Comments (8)

lmorgie
19 years ago
I paint with acrylics and have great luck. But you have to seal with an indoor outdoor glossy poly spray. I get my leather dyes at Tandy leather supplies in Tulsa, Ok. I don't know if Tandys is nation wide or not. So just look up leather stores in your area. I used my regular jig saw but it's so big that you can't get into small places. So I purchased a gourd saw from the Canning Company and I love it. That will cost you some money however. Just cut a slice with exacto knife and place jig saw blade in slice and go from there.

Here is a link that might be useful: my southwest gourd art
caseyst_sc
19 years ago
About the dust: Yes, use a respirator or a mask at the very least, simply because when you inhale the dust you're inhaling the mold, which can cause you terrible lung problems and sinus problems. Doesn't matter if you're allergic or not, asthma or not, gourds do have their dangerous side. Easy enough to protect yourself, though. Do your work outside, set up a fan, always wear breathing protection. You don't want one of these infections... I've heard several gourd people who didn't take care keeping the infections for *months*.
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Thanks again, Jan. This is so exciting. I have never watched vines grow so rapidly, and I have been a gardener all my life, especially, since the entire crop was a fluke. The seeds were tossed near the bank of a brackish- water, over-flow ditch in our back yard. I have a perennial bed on the near side that I have struggled to maintain because so many flowers and shrubs bite the dust with mildew and/or the acidic water supply. The water table here is one shovel scoop and WATER! Tap roots on trees(loblollies mostly)grow across the yard, not down. I have been discouraged with gardening since moving here. For me, it was all trial and error, but I have slowly learned how to select the right plants and to mound the soil as much as possible. The bank where the gourds are growing has a SLIGHT ridge and a thick bed of pine needles. So, I guess the soil (sand and compost) was good. I should have planted my perennial bed on that side of the water! However, the land is community property and boarders a neighborhood of condominums. Someone has already harvested a few gourds, but we contacted the owner's association and explained our dilemma and as long as we clean up after the gourds, we can let them finish growing this year. This is a one-time chance. Beachers here are more into the appearance of property than gourds! We had to pull the vines out of the grass area and contain them to a 200'X 14' mall-type area. This is when a picture would be worth a 1000 words. Fortunately, some of the neighbors thought we were growing water lilies! And, tourist season is over and only a few neighbors remain year round. So I think the remaining gourds(19) are safe now. If you have managed to read this far, I hope I have explained why I am so crazy to harvest and dry correctly this year. To answer your questions--the bushels are 48" round and heavy. I call them bushels, but I don't really know. They are nice and round and bigger than a basket ball. We went out yesterday and carefully placed home made pallets (14x14 frames with heavy wire tops) under each gourd. My husband made them when I explained about air and the damp ground. He is the crafter. One of the gourds has split--a big split. But the rest are nice and hard and two are tan colored. I cut back the new growth--the vines are still sending off hundreds of blossoms, and I tried to find the main vines but couldn't walk well without stepping on vines, so I just limited cutting to the fresh growth. What a tangle of vines. If I ever grow these again in another life, I will prune. The fishing net is strong. And because we live on pilings, we can hang them under the house--no big oaks around here! We do have a few loblolly pine trees, but the first branches are 20 feet in the air. I plan to hang some and leave some on pallets placed up on a deck, and some on the screen porch, etc. That way, the trial and error method won't make me crazy. I feel better just hearing your advice, knowing others share concerns, and knowing there are "gourd people" out there who can help me with all my questions. The gourd forum has made this experience great--even if the gourds all rot. Thanks again. Sasha
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Lillie1441
19 years ago
When I first started working with gourds I had no idea about the molds and respiratory problems they can cause. I was cutting and sanding and scraping like crazy,having a good old time! After a few days I started having headaches daily,something out of the ordinary for me.I ended up getting a whopper of a sinus infection,but had no idea why.After about a month of working on the gourds and having the ongoing sinus infection and daily headaches,I accidently ran across an article about the safety measures one should take when working on gourds.I now wear a mask when cutting and cleaning and when possible do the work outside.
I use acrylics and a sealer on my gourds also.Some gourds have a waxy coating on them and paint will not adhere to that.So far all but a few of the small ones that I have worked on haven't had that coating.If they do soak them for 20-30 minutes in warm water with a little dish detergent added and scrape them with a knife.
You can also use colored pencils(map colors)for a more subtle color,pastels and many different dyes.You can order the dyes off the internet.You can do a Google search and find lots of information.Be prepared,gourds are addictive!
Happy gourding!!!.................Lillie

Here is a link that might be useful: Gourd supplies
FireFightersMoM
19 years ago
Boy I am happy I read this thread. Picked up several gourds at the pumpkin patch. Been looking at all the wonderful art work done with them. If it was almost 10pm...I would have started playing with them tonight. I would never have thought to wear a mask. I am very allergic to mold...so thanks.

Tami
Lillie1441
19 years ago
Tami-Are the gourds you are working with from the pumpkin patch dried are still in the green state? If you are working with green gourds a respirator wouldn't be necessary.It's the dried gourds that pose a problem as far as dust and molds are concerned..........Lillie
craft_granny
19 years ago
Lillie 1441,
What can be done with green gourds? How?
Granny
FireFightersMoM
19 years ago
Hi Lillie

Sorry I didn't answer you back. For some reason, I didn't get this in my email.

I got these dried. After being on your site, I see I got a fantasic deal. If I ever do anything with them...I will have to go back and buy more. I got 10 or so for $10.00.

I played around with a wood burner trying to get some idea's. But haven't done anything yet. So many idea's...haha.

Tami
CarolynA
19 years ago
If you are going to use the gourds outside, like for birdhouses, they hold up much better if you dunk them in Thompsons Water Sealer, shake off the excess, & let them dry for a week before painting. They last MUCH longer that way in rough weather.

first time cutting a gourd - blades? dust? stain?

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lmorgie

caseyst_sc

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