Saturday's Job

4184 Views 34 Replies 21 Participants Last post by WoodFrog, Oct 15, 2020

OutoftheWoodwork

Discussion Starter · Sep 7, 2020 (Edited)

Back in the beginning of May I was asked by a gentleman to carve a memorial for his wife in the top of the stump of a tree he had removed in his front yard. The tree stump was 52" x 51". (Big stump, but about 5" or 6" high.)

Took me a bit to get over there; my breathing being as bad as it was all summer. But, I made it over there Saturday and here was the end result 🙃 He was instructed to put something over it to protect it, as it is gonna age (I recommended white but he wanted black and wouldn't let us get the tree to look freshly cut again... wanted the weathering in there) so... as long as he's happy. Never did a freehand on a tree stump; it was an adventure to say the least. (I was a sight to behold, laying on those shop floor cushion mats with my @$$ in the air, carving this thing :lol: )

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Stick486

· #2 · Sep 7, 2020

Well done...

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

· #3 · Sep 7, 2020

Wow nice job Barb , especially under the circumstances. Wish I could have been their , you know, for moral support etc .
Hey were you wearing that thing we discussed a while back

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Herb Stoops

· #4 · Sep 7, 2020

You did great, Barb. Carving end grain 5" off the ground with a chainsawed face, on your knees, must be some kind of world record.You are really good!
Herb

Reactions: 2

difalkner

· #5 · Sep 7, 2020

Impressive, Barb, very impressive! Good job.

David

Reactions: 2

OutoftheWoodwork

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 7, 2020

Herb Stoops said:
You did great, Barb. Carving end grain 5" off the ground with a chainsawed face, on your knees, must be some kind of world record.You are really good!
Herb

Thanks. But trust me... I was NOT on my knees! I have those rubber cushion mats they sell that Ken got from a customer... they're like 2' x 2' wide, and go together like a puzzle. Anyway, I brought four of them with me, and stacked them to use as a padding to lay on. I draped them at the bottom of the stump, and worked my way up to the top of the stump.

We spent probably 30 minutes prepping the stump between using my router and a flat bit to get rid of one really badly raised portion, the belt sander, and the orbital to get it smooth enough to transfer my pattern on the wood. Then it was me lying on the padding I draped, with my sign bit, (Used one up...) trying to follow the pattern. I was the center of attention of the neighborhood :haha:

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OutoftheWoodwork

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 7, 2020

Thanks, guys. Ken was a huge help on this one. He helped transfer the pattern, kept the sawdust back (using the air compressor we brought with us) helped paint the lettering, and did the final sanding.

I'm gettin too old (and already too fat) to get down on the ground like that... I was completely drained and ready for bed by 9:00 Saturday Night. Now to get my picture from the customer after he got the Poly put on it.

Reactions: 4

DesertRatTom

· #8 · Sep 7, 2020

Wow, I really like that! What a nice way to remember the love of your life. Breathing problems are no fun, especially in the heat. No wonder you were exhausted.

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newbie2wood

· #9 · Sep 7, 2020

That is just insane! And I mean that in the most positive way possible.

Absolutely incredible job!

Thanks for sharing it

Reactions: 2

Herb Stoops

· #10 · Sep 8, 2020

I have looked at that several times, and Dang ,your good.!
Herb

Reactions: 3

old55

· #11 · Sep 8, 2020

That’s a fantastic outcome, Barb.

Reactions: 1

OutoftheWoodwork

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 8, 2020

Thanks Again, Guys...

Ken tells me as I'm reading him your comments, that while I was laying on my stomach cutting this, he took a couple pictures. He proceeded to send them to me: Here's what I'm willing to share :lol: Trying to haul myself up from the ground was the comedy portion of the show...

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OutoftheWoodwork

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 8, 2020

Herb Stoops said:
I have looked at that several times, and Dang ,your good.!
Herb

You're too kind, Herb. Thanks :x

RainMan 2.0

· #14 · Sep 8, 2020

I didn’t realize you used a cordless router Barb. Makes perfect sense for a job like this .
In your shop do you use a corded router for signs .

I must say you did pretty impressive work , and am amazed it’s done free hand

Reactions: 3

Herb Stoops

· #15 · Sep 8, 2020

And you didn't even skin your elbows, I am impressed. Did you do that on one battery?
Herb

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

· #16 · Sep 8, 2020

Herb Stoops said:
And you didn't even skin your elbows, I am impressed. Did you do that on one battery?
Herb

I was wondering about the battery also . Guess it’s not too difficult to have another one on hand though if all else fails

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JFPNCM

· #17 · Sep 8, 2020

Very well done. To take on a task of that nature, untried and to complete it at that level is the mark of a true craftsman (er craftperson or what ever is appropriate).
Cheers
Jon

Reactions: 2

honesttjohn

· #18 · Sep 8, 2020

Couldn't do that on a CNC. lol

Good Show!!

Reactions: 3

OutoftheWoodwork

Discussion Starter · #19 · Sep 8, 2020

RainMan 2.0 said:
I didn’t realize you used a cordless router Barb. Makes perfect sense for a job like this .
In your shop do you use a corded router for signs .

I must say you did pretty impressive work , and am amazed it’s done free hand

Thank you, Rick.

I use both in the shop. I usually use the cordless for the edges, to avoid the cord getting in the way.

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Nickp

· #20 · Sep 8, 2020

Now that is a work of art...beautiful and perfect lettering...! ! ! ...and to do that well on such an uneven surface...(as Herb said) "DANG !"

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