Halloween is this week which means there will be a lot of people getting ready to carve a pumpkin. But at Fairwayrock we like to take things to the next level. We want to show you how to carve a pumpkin using power tools! Not only do power tools make the pumpkin easier to carve, it is also A LOT more exciting.

This is an activity which should only take place by those 18+ who know how to work power tools and have the correct safety equipment.

What you need to carve a pumpkin with power tools:

• Knife
• Pen
• Jigsaw for most of the cutting
• Drill for the holes
• Router for removing any skin from the pumpkin
• Ice cream scoop to remove the inside
• Safety equipment

How to carve a pumpkin with power tools:

Using these power tools, we want to show you how to carve a pumpkin the extreme way. Although, before you start ensure you have correct safety clothing and protection. This includes safety glasses, safety gloves and coveralls. You should also make sure you are in a safe and open environment.

While we give you a general guide, these steps will vary depending on your pumpkin design. For example, you may miss out the drilling step if your pumpkin design does not feature any holes. Or you might decide to do the shading of your pumpkin before the cutting! All we ask is that you think creatively and enjoy the extreme pumpkin carving!

1. Cut the top of and scoop out the middle

This step is the exact same for standard pumpkin carving. Use a knife to cut off the top of the pumpkin, and then scoop out the inside flesh and seeds so the pumpkin is ready for carving. An ice cream scoop will actually be perfect for this! You can use the inside of the pumpkin to make soup – the perfect Halloween lunch.

2. Draw your design

The best way to create a design you are happy with is to draw it on first. It will then be a lot easier to cut accurately.

3. Start cutting with the Jigsaw

Use your jigsaw where you’d traditionally cut the pumpkin with a kitchen knife. It will help you with neat cuts and you can turn corners using a jigsaw. We feel it really is the perfect tool to use if you want to carve a pumpkin! Any jigsaw will work well, however a cordless one will be the easiest. A cordless jigsaw will help you avoid cutting into any cables and is a little bit easier to manoeuvre freely. For your jigsaw, you should also use a long blade which is designed for cutting wood. Usually, even less expensive jigsaws will have a blade like this which is suitable.

4. Use a drill for holes

An impact drill is perfect for cutting accurate and round holes as you carve your pumpkin. For example, star constellations in a pumpkin as shown below are made very easy with a drill!

5. Pumpkin shading

If you want an extra, more complex design, you can do some shading in your pumpkin! This can be done by removing parts of the skin with a router or etching into the skin with your knife. The design shown below was created with a router, and you can see the amazing effect you get with the light shining through!

6. Illuminate your pumpkin

Now that you are done, it’s time to illuminate your design! Pop in a candle or LED light and see the pumpkin come to life! When you carve a pumpkin, you also need to display it somewhere it can be shown off! We recommend either just outside your house or in a window where everyone will see it as they walk past.

Carve a pumpkin and tag us in your photos!

We love to see the designs you will come up with when carving a pumpkin with power tools! Tag us at Fairwayrock in your Facebook and Instagram posts!

Tags: carving, halloween, halloween2020, holidays, powertools, pumpkin