honesttjohn Posted August 22, 2017 Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 My wife has a co-worker who had the bright idea to have a family tree carved for his 80 yr old father's birthday. So she volunteered me to do it, without asking, I might add. Only it had to be designed, cut, finished, and shipped to OK in less than a week. I did the first design and cut, didn't like it, so I did a second tree with the names carved in it and didn't like the way the text painted. Didn't look good, especially for a special gift. The tree actually had too much detail in it and the carved text just didn't work. If it doesn't look right, it doesn't get past the fire pit. I had to go a different direction but it involved a whole new design file with different platform depths (thanx MEBCWD for the idea) which would take more time that I didn't have. So, on to plan C. Cut it Suday morning, managed to go to a social function (she had it planned for weeks - had to go) Sunday afternoon, finished the text and profile cut when we got back home Sunday nite (late - but didn't plan to stay that long ........ riiiiight), painted the text with acrylic, let it dry, sanded it all out, and used spray lacquer (4 coats) since poly took too long to dry between coats. Had it ready for her to take in Monday morning. She said he was satisfied and understood why the other one didn't work. I think I paid to do this one, but ........... I learned a few things, including how catnaps on the couch don't take the place of sleeping in one's own bed. The tree was the same one I tried to carve and finish names in, only about 4 times bigger. Cal, Chips N Dust, p_toad and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips N Dust Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 That looks very nice!! honesttjohn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT Stringer Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 honesttjohn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post beltramidave Posted August 23, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Looks good John. Never fails when you are under the gun,nothing goes as planned. I just want to get back to making wood stuff with my machine. I have been machining nothing but aluminum parts for work projects. What a mess to clean up! I am getting better with aluminum though. Dave difalkner, Cal, MT Stringer and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
difalkner Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Looks good, as usual, John! You do nice work, even under pressure. David honesttjohn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEBCWD Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Okay John I slept since we emailed back and forth about this project and now I have a solution to save the original tree carving so you won't have to do the Open Book ... yes John it is a little late for that now isn't it. See what happens when you ask me questions when I haven't had any sleep. The Open Book idea turned out great and I like the font better than I did the other night, it actually goes well with this design because it looks more like it was hand written where a fancy font would have been too much. Nice save! Turned out great and I'm sure it will be well received. honesttjohn and Cal 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honesttjohn Posted August 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Get hold of me ....... I'm sure there's more than 1 family around. I have a lot of time and fire pit fuel in this "favor", so might as well make something out of the experience and create something that might sell a few. MEBCWD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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