Wine Barrel Carving Process
Step Two - Remove The Glue...

First, I use a chisel to remove the excess glue on the outside of the barrel head.  Even though the inside won't be visible when the finished carving hangs on a wall, I go in and clean up excess glue there as well.

In some carvings, I use just the flat barrel head removed from the staves.  With those pieces, the boards are carefully pried apart.  Barrel heads are joined with dowel and a reed is inserted between the boards.  The reed is scraped and peeled away.  Glue is placed in the dowel pockets and along the boards and then the barrel head is carefully reassembled and clamped until the glue is dry.

Once the barrel head has been properly glued and cleaned, it is ready for carving.  The design phase is usually handled in the office.

Step Three - The Design

• Our Wine Barrel Carving Commissions Page will provide you with information on how to order your own Custom Wine Barrel Carving!
  

• To see some of Tom'sWine Barrel Carvings, visit Tom's Wine Barrel Carving Gallery!