Irregular shape piece

[Tractorman]

I want to carve our name on an elongated slab of a log that is 3” thick and 36”
long by 12”wide and shaped irregular on both long sides. The two ends are pretty straight.
Would I have to build a sled/carrier for this piece so that it is a perfect rectangle? The long sides
are very curved.

[fwharris]

Yes you will need to set up a sled so that you can carve on the slab. A flat base with side rails the same thickness as the slab. If the ends are straight/square you probably will not need end blocks. Being this big you will need out feed supports to hold everything up outside of the machine.

[Tractorman]

What about the long crooked sides? Will I have to cut a piece that matches the curvature real close?

[fwharris]

What about the long crooked sides? Will I have to cut a piece that matches the curvature real close?

No not necessarily. Any area between the side rails / end blocks and the slab can be covered with masking tape or white paper to fool the board sensor during the board measurement steps.