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Nova Scotia

I'd be very interested in hearing from those out there that have carved large pumpkins and their experiences. I have always carved my largest pumpkins for Halloweens the traditional way, slicing out eyes, nose, mouth etc. and placing a light inside. What I am wondering is how thin the walls have to be for the light to pass through the flesh if a person carves/ scrapes a design on the outside skin without cutting any actual holes through to the cavity? The pumpkin is over 1100lbs so the walls are rather thick. Thanks John

10/18/2009 8:27:43 PM

Sequim, WA

That will depend on the intensity of the light source. In my experience, it needs to get pretty thin for light to pass through the flesh of the pumpkin, less than 2" with a fairly bright light. I usually make some holes through to the cavity of the fruit in my carvings. I've use drop lamps with colored and white bulbs to light them and even coleman lanterns on a couple occasions.
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=15817
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=15818
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=15825
Those links should give you an idea of what it can look like. This carving was lit with a 40 watt red bulb. The cameras anti-red-eye feature took some of the color out of some of the pictues. Lines of light can be seen through the flesh where there were interior cracks in the fruit.
Fillet knives work well as they are sharp, flexible and thin. I've also used some ceramics tools, melon ballers and a sharpened ice cream scoop. Good luck.

10/19/2009 5:08:09 AM

Antigonish,Nova Scotia,Canada

Perhaps enlisting some assistance i.e. (creative talents)from one of your younger female teachers at your school would prove beneficial.....lol
Good luck with this , John! Give us a shout whenever the deed is done and we'll take a drive down to see it! (Treat you to beer at the "Red Shoe" too!) Congrats on winning at Millville again!

10/19/2009 10:46:17 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

With a high intensity led light at 3/4 of an inch they glow really good. Creat a few exit holes like the nose and mouth. I made a Mr. Smiley a few years ago that was close to perfect. The pumpkin flesh you will find changes density also. I have sculpted pumpkins that are like butter, and chiseled those as tough as wood. Clay ribbon tools and a good carrot peeler, are my main tools.

10/20/2009 2:01:12 PM

Antigonish,Nova Scotia,Canada

Seriously,John, you should drive up here and practice on my two remaining pumpkins. (Both much smaller than yours though!..lol) [a nice little green one and an soft-orange one too!]

10/20/2009 10:26:02 PM

Nova Scotia

Thanks for the replies and info, much appreciated. Bill might see you the first of next week

10/22/2009 7:21:24 AM