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Display Base Experiment

January 25, 2014MichelleHow-To, WIPNo comments

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.

Hypothesis


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.

Materials


  • Block of wood (acquisition described below)
  • Green stuff
  • Exacto Knife

Method


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.

Another Tool


Dremel Tool and various bits

Another Method


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.

Additional Materials


  • Health Insurance
  • ER Copay
  • 3 stitches
  • constant teasing from friends (not required)

Additional Method


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…

More Materials


  • Wood Carving Tools

More Methods


More venting of frustration with a Dremel tool drill bit:

lava-base-2alava-base-2clava-base-2b

From there I began carving and plying out chunks created by the swiss-cheese effect.

lava-base-3lava-base-4alava-base-4blava-base-4clava-base-4dlava-base-5alava-base-5

I continued to have problems with broken and dull tools.

lava-base-6alava-base-6

In total frustration I threw out the initial idea and decided this was good enough.

lava-base-7blava-base-7a

Conclusion


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. 🙂

Michelle
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