I have these ideas. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. This base project was a mixed result so I share it in hopes you can learn from my trials.
Given enough time and patience, a display base can be made starting from a basic block of wood and some green stuff. Below is my reference image.
- Block of wood (acquisition described below)
- Green stuff
- Exacto Knife
First I needed to acquire a block of wood. For this I called my local Home Depot store and have them cut down a 4″X4″ piece of wood. It was eight feet long so I had them cut it down and into four inch cubes. Now I have a crazy amount of blocks, but I can save them for later.
**NOTE, before you continue you should know this entire process was wrong. I started with the wrong wood, wrong size and wrong tools. It cost me dearly as you will see.**
When I got home I realized that the wood was damp. I didn’t think it was a good idea to start wet so I let the block I chose sit for a week (mostly because I am impatient and went on to other projects).
Once the block was closer to dry, I drew a basic outline of what I wanted to carve out in pencil. Using my exacto knife I started carving into a rough shape of what I wanted. Or at least I tried.
Dremel Tool and various bits
The picture at right is where I was after going semi-crazy with a Dremel tool after the obvious cuts with an exacto. My thought here was that I would make it like swiss cheese and carve out chunks with my exacto knife by connecting the holes.
One thing I noticed is that the Dremel drill bit seemed to dull quickly, but not too concerned. I had to change out my exacto blade too as the wood seemed to be having an almost demonic effect on anything I tried to use to cut it.
I took some time off from cutting and built up a bit on the base itself. I want to have a cliff-like effect and it was a good distraction.
- Health Insurance
- ER Copay
- 3 stitches
- constant teasing from friends (not required)
So, the new exacto blade helped more than anticipated. Blade slipped and I received 3 stitches IN MY STOMACH of all places. <sigh> I’m never going to live this one down.
My husband threatened to take away all things sharp and pointy. I had cursed this block for a few weeks with skinned knuckles and small cuts. It was time for something a bit more appropriate for wood carving…
- Wood Carving Tools
More venting of frustration with a Dremel tool drill bit:
From there I began carving and plying out chunks created by the swiss-cheese effect.
I continued to have problems with broken and dull tools.
In total frustration I threw out the initial idea and decided this was good enough.
From here I must say that this experiment is done. I don’t like to admit failure, but this little 4x4x4 block of wood has beaten me. I did a bit more work and experimentation with the base, but overall I am going to start over.
It’s an OK base, but it’s just not what I wanted. I beat my head up against a hardwood wall (made of 4x4x4 blocks) for far too long! More later on the fiery display base from below! It will be made!
In the next few weeks I will be meeting with a carpenter friend that has the proper tools. Moral of this story? HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS FOR A JOB. And know your wood. 🙂