Carving sensation: Power tools help make the perfect jack-o'-lantern

Tag : power tools

Jack-o'-lanterns. Power tools. It was only a matter of time beforesomeone took two great ideas and put them together.
Dremel — best known for its multiuse, 30,000 rpm rotary tools— recently introduced a lower-speed model specifically forcarving pumpkins.
Retailing for about $30, the tool is powered by four double-Abatteries. Hands-on experience proved the tool to be more thanadept at removing the outer layer of a pumpkin's skin.
Rather than simply tracing lines with a saw, the Dremel turns thecarving experience into something not too far removed fromcoloring, albeit with a pulpy shower of pulverized pumpkin.
Dremel's offering does a fair job, according to Lisa Berberette, ofMidlothian, better known as "The Pumpkin Lady," a professionalcarver of pumpkins for more than a decade.
She was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2001, and presentedthe host with her own portrait rendered in pumpkin.
There are other power options for those who want to do more thanthe standard jack-o'-lantern but aren't ready to make the leap intotranslucent designs.
"Pumpkin Masters does have a battery powered carving tool which Ithink is so-so," she said. "Holiday Arts has one too, and it's mucheasier to use. It carves much more smoothly and it's easier tochange tips."
For the traditional — and to date most popular —jack-o'-lantern designs, a battery-powered saw can make life mucheasier.
"I love these 'auto tools' for simple designs, like the typicaljack-o'-lantern grin or really simple outline," she said. "Mostbeginners can use it here, as well. I can carve these patterns injust seconds with auto tools."
The more complex patterns actually turn out better with simplertools, she said.
"When it comes to more difficult patterns, it's too easy to overcut with these, so I still think its best to go back to the littlesaws," Berberette said.
One of the best places to use a nonmanual tool is transferring thepattern from paper to pumpkin.
"The auto tools are fabulous for this if they come with the pokingtip. If not, some of the new tips come with a little rotary tool topoke the pattern on," she said.
If small children are involved, the power tool route is even morevaluable. They have a hard time waiting for mom or dad to punch thehundreds of small holes to transfer the pattern from paper topumpkin.
"It's the most time consuming part of the process and hard forlittle ones to be patient with," she said. "They want to get to thecarving. It also really wears your hand out."
But for the most complicated and intricate patterns, includingtelevision-quality portraits, the humble handsaw is still the wayto go.
"After all these years, the simple saw kit by Pumpkin Master isstill simply the best," she said. "I know, it's cheap, and the sawscan break if you twist them, but those little saws are still what Iuse to carve a real pumpkin, especially if the design isintricate."
For those who are willing to invest the money, effort and time incarving the perfect jack-o'-lantern, preservation is imperative.
Pumpkins are in the produce department for a reason. Once they'recarved, they have a limited life span, according to Cathie Filianand Steve Piacenza, hosts of "Witch Crafts," on cable's DIYnetwork.
Protecting against dehydration is even more important when carvinga translucent carving with a power tool. Areas with the skinremoved dehydrate quickly and can go from an eerie glow to opaquein just a few hours, according to the two crafters.
Exposed surfaces should be covered with petroleum jelly orvegetable oil to help hold water inside the gourd.
When the pumpkin is on display for all to see, mist it with waterevery so often to help keep it hydrated and looking sharp.Afterward, be sure to bag it up and keep it refrigerated to keep itlooking fresh as long as possible.
If the cut edges of your jack-o'-lantern are curling, re-hydratethe pumpkin by soaking it in a tub of water overnight. Afterremoving, allow the pumpkin to drain for half an hour and pat dry,according to DIY.
* Contact Garren Shipley at gshipley@nvdaily.com