If you’re bored with the basic jack-o-lantern with a scary face, you can carve awesome designs in pumpkins using nothing more than a power drill. Read on for tips and tricks for pumpkin carving with a drill and some patterns you can follow to make the best Fall / Halloween decorations this year.
Carving Pumpkins with a Drill
Now, I’d like to start this by saying there is nothing wrong with the traditional jack-o-lanterns. However, if you’d like to spice up your pumpkin carving, you will want to give this method a try.
Pumpkin Carving Supplies
Power Drill & Bits
This method requires a drill! If you don’t already have a power drill with bits of various sizes, you can find everything you need at Rural King in the tool department.
This Milwaukee 3/8″ Electric Drill is perfect for any projects around the house, including carving pumpkins. You will also want a set of different drill bits, like this Milwaukee Tools 10-Piece Shockwave Hex Drill Bit Set.
The Perfect Pumpkin!
Not all pumpkins are created equal! Some pumpkins are meant to be pies and others were destined to be carved and used for decoration.
Below are the top 5 things to check to pick out the best pumpkin for carving:
- Is it Sturdy? Pick the pumpkin up and tap it. You should hear a hollow sound.
- Any Bad Spots? Look on all sides of the pumpkin to be sure there are no scratches or dark spots. You want a pumpkin that is as clean as possible.
- Is it Fresh? Flip the pumpkin so the bottom is facing up, the apply pressure to the bottom with your thumbs. If the bottom isn’t completely sturdy, that pumpkin isn’t fresh.
- Does it Sit Flat? Not as important if you’re looking for a crooked pumpkin, but most of us want our decor to sit flat. Just find a level piece of ground and set your pumpkin down to check.
- Is the Color Consistent? This is mostly for the traditional, bright-orange pumpkin. You’ll want to make sure the coloring is consistent throughout, so your carving really pops!
Tips for Drill-Carving Pumpkins
The first step to pumpkin carving is grabbing a great pumpkin. Use the tips in the section above to find the perfect pumpkin from Rural King.
Once you have the perfect pumpkin, it’s time to prep it for carving. First, cut a hole in either the top or the bottom of your pumpkin. Be careful not to cut yourself during this (happens more than I’d like to admit).
After the hole is cut, remove that piece and start scooping the seeds and pulp out of the pumpkin. Remove as much as you can, and don’t forget to save the seeds for roasting later!
Now that your pumpkin is cleaned out, you are ready to slap on your design. Print out a basic design online or make one of your own. Mark out the outline with a tack or permanent marker.
Use a variety of different bits to create unique and interesting designs in your pumpkin.
The final step to the perfect carved pumpkin is to add a light source. Some folks still like to use the traditional candle, but I prefer to use LED lights to avoid any fire hazards.
Once you have your pumpkin all set up, just put it out for the world to see!
Share Your Carved Pumpkin Pictures with Us!
Please share your unique designs with us on our Facebook page!
If you’re looking for even more ways to decorate using pumpkins this Fall, make sure to check out our article on Decorating with Pumpkins.
And, after Halloween when your jack-o-lanterns are looking sad, use them as treats for your chickens! Learn about pumpkins and other treats you can feed your flock in Healthy Chicken Treats from Jack-o-Lanterns & More.
