[Mopar Man]

I'm going to try the foam variety this year. It'll be my first and was wanting some tips on gutting. Will the pumpkin gutter work?

[keithk83]

i believe they are hollow. the only thing you have to worry about is the black line in the Michael's pumpkins or the flaking paint on the funkins.

[Tkaraoke]

Sometimes a Funkin's thickness can vary because sometimes the foam can build up in certin areas when it's molded. I really haven't had a problem with using cut-through patterns on Funkins but I can see where this can be an issue when doing a shaded one.

[CombichristGirl]

when i did the shading i did in fact have to remove the "black line" i used my dremel with a sander bit

[The Captain]

I'm going to try the foam variety this year. It'll be my first and was wanting some tips on gutting. Will the pumpkin gutter work?

After you have removed the top, very carefully turn it over and shake it, maybe a tap or two on the bottom, and viola its gutted.

[GUS]

NOT that i've tried but the pumpkin gutter to thin the walls of a foam pumpkin sounds like a potential missing digit disaster waiting to happen...

[Euri]

when i did the shading i did in fact have to remove the "black line" i used my dremel with a sander bit

That cursed black line can be quite a distraction. I have tried using my dremel to remove this but didn't have great luck. I couldn't get it at the right angle to sand smoothly. Did you use a flex shaft? I'm thinking that might make all the difference.

[CombichristGirl]

ive done both it does take much longer with the regular bits instead of the shaft but it can be done

[Tkaraoke]

I hear that some people use a paint stripper attatched to a drill to get rid of the "black line of death". You should check Stoney's site for more details about carving foamies.

[Doh]

Yup...3m paint stripper, a shaft extension and a drill will do the trick quick! Just be real careful!


Pumkins with black line.

Same pumpkin after about 1 minute with paint stripper.

[Euri]

Nice! Looks like that takes care of it! That would certainly make it a two person job.

Until I get one of those I'll have to settle with the flex shaft. As long as I know that it will work, I don't mind spending the extra time on it. That's now of course, when it gets closer to Halloween time will be a big factor.

Does anyone know if the very smallest Michael's pumpkins have the black line in them?

[Doh]

Only 1 person! Euri, I should know you...I live in North Logan.

[CombichristGirl]

the small ones dont im 99% sure i did carve some last year

[Nightwatchman]

Doh, how do you hold the pumpkin when you use the paint stripper to remove the black line?

[Doh]

after removing the bottom of the pumpkin, I lay it on its side on the work table. I hold it with one hand on top and run the drill with the other hand. Withe the stripper disk and the drill on high speed it doesn't take much pressure. In fact if you pushed too hard it would go right through the pumpkin.