[Lightningbolt]

As part of my woodshop program I have a way of sneaking in a LOT of woodcarving opportunities for the kids. This session I'd like for everyone to be working on their woodcarving merit badge which includes carving a simple carving in-the-round and a simple relief carving. A big part of my job is working with the resource teachers to develop theme related projects in the woodshop which complement the curriculum they have developed for the kids.

With that said, the teachers would like to spend one period with each group working on a nature trail (since our program is experiential education) so they wanted us to make some simple little signs to identify the trees. I spent about an hour this afternoon coming up with the attached results since I like to have a good plan before next week classes start.

As the first picture shows I decided to start with making a red maple nameplate. It is my plan for each student to select their tree before class time and to bring their chosen leaf with them. I used the actual leaf to trace it on the wood then did a very shallow raised relief carving around it. Next I woodburned the edges for contrast then also burned in the veins. I decided to just "scoop" out the letters since kids love doing it this way, then I added acrylic paints. I also lightly torched the wood which added a mild sort-of antique brown. It's finished with a good coating of outdoor polyurethane.

This was an easy project and more than meets the requirement for a simple relief carving in the merit badge class. My approach is that I'll tell the kids that I spent an hour making this nameplate and now you have about 5 hours of class time to get yours right so I expect something much better. I'm rarely disapointed after setting high expectations!

I'd be interested if anyone else has some ideas for other ways to do it. I imagine that we'll use some very small nails to put them up which will just lightly penetrate the bark and surface wood of the tree.

[chuckt]

Name plates on the trees - with carved leaf shapes. BRILLIANT!!! Need to get some Guinness. ;-)

This is a great idea Dave. Looks great and a nice simple project you can get them to do. You're doing a wonderful thing with those kids and they are very lucky to have you as their teacher. Way to go.

Don't have any brilliant ideas of my own to offer this point. Except if they want to add a simple woodburn of the overall shape of the full tree somewhere on the plaque - to give a sense of whole tree would be nice.

Keep up the great work Dave and you'll have the carving community growing by leaps and bounds in no time.


ChuckT

[GaryMc]

Great project Dave, I bet the kids loved them, and usefull also.
GaryMc

[Thor]

Very good looking sign. I appreciate you posting it, as I'm going to need to redo a sign or two around here. Yours looks a lot better than what I was going to do. I may have to copy it.
Thor

[Lightningbolt]

Thanks for the comments and I think that a general shape of the tree on the plaque might be helpful and I'll have to try that too.

Some of my cuts weren't the cleanest possible but the pine I used was some local rough-cut that we used for birdhouses (homes for the homeless ) last Christmas and it was full of hard pitch lines. That's why I do a lot of experimenting before class because I'll try to locate some softer wood now.

Thanks again.

[Eddy Smiles]

Nice job Dave... My buddy up in Tennessee did something similiar to this only he carved out veggies and made signs for his entire garden... Turned out to be the prettiest garden around!

[ElWoodTroll]

That third picture kind of looks like my house... er... shop.
Do your students have access to the normal range of tools.
I'm afraid I'd be a nervous wreck after one session

[Lightningbolt]

That third picture kind of looks like my house... er... shop.

Yeah, the various paints, stains, and varnishes have certainly built up on that table over the last 13 years! I used to require that newspaper be placed on the table before finishing then, well I guess I finally gave up and decided to concentrate on more important issues like safety and quality of projects. The kids really do a great job of cleaning up after each class sweeping the floor, brushing off all the tables, and organizing the tools.

Also, when I consider that approximately 1,500 kids have been through my shop since opening it in 1995, well that's a lot of traffic. Hey! I kinda like the "artsy" kind of build up on that table... something that certainly any ole ugly troll would luv !! Yeah, I'd say it's "art".

Do your students have access to the normal range of tools.

The main tools that I allow complete free access to would be most of the normal small power tools such as drills, jigsaw, sanders, etc. Special safety check-out is required for more potentially dangerous small power tools such as the router.

They also have free access to stationary tools such as the scrollsaw, drill press, and belt/disc sander. I do require a special safety check-out for tools like the lathe every time it's used. To use tools such as the bandsaw, tablesaw, jointer, thickness planer etc. requires enough woodshop experience to convince me that the tool will be used safely and the student has the right balance of confidence. Too much confidence can be a dangerous thing! In thirteen years nobody's lost a single finger so I will continue to place a "safety first" emphasis (with no exceptions) for future years.

I'm afraid I'd be a nervous wreck after one session

Ah, come on in... you can do it!! I'll gradually build up your confidence and lead you on step-by-step until I remove the training wheels without your ever noticing! After all these years nothing still scares me more than when a scroll saw blade breaks at high speed. Completely safe but I still jump!

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Great Project! I bet the kids had a great time and if you can post some pics of their finished work! Would love to see what you inspired in them!

Chahlie

[ElWoodTroll]

Originally Posted by Lightningbolt

I'll gradually build up your confidence and lead you on step-by-step until I remove the training wheels without your ever noticing! After all these years nothing still scares me more than when a scroll saw blade breaks at high speed. Completely safe but I still jump!

I was refering to the kids. Machines don't bother me. Heck, I still got nine fingers left.