| Project by SWO | posted 331 days ago | 806 views | 0 times favorited | 3 comments |  |
 |
I made this for my father who flew U-H1’s in Viet Nam for a few years. He found out about it though and told me he had more medals and ribbons for the 35 years he did as a San Antonio Police Officer. So I guess he is going to put those in this instead. Whatever, as long as he has something to show off. Should have taken the pictures away from any other art projects my kids draw on and paint.
This is a simple project (since that is all I can do right now) and it is made of red oak with several coats of spray laquer. I am not convinced that I like this type of finish yet. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but I will read some more and see what else i can do to make this better next time.
The joinery is half-blind dovetail (which I had a blast trying to make perfect) and the trim is made on my router table. I put blue felt on with a 1/4” foam backer for the pins to stick into. Next time I am going to try Maple and tung oil for the finish to see how that comes out. Any suggestions? Thanks.
-- No matter how many times I cut this wood it keeps coming up short.
3 comments so far
jockmike2
home | projects | blog
7222 posts in 1125 days
posted 331 days ago
No suggestions, but a big atta boy, and tell your dad from one vet to another thanks, I was in Germany during Nam, but if he flew Heweys he flew in some bad stuff, and you did say years, wow. He should be proud of both accomplishments. He’s got guts. By the way your project is perfect, and he’s gonna love it, if he’s the kind of man I think he is.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Cwestnov
home | projects | blog
21 posts in 364 days
posted 327 days ago
Nice looking shadow box SWO. I am currently on my 3rd one this year (unfortunately). I decided to try maple one my current one. So far it is looking far better than the oak one I did. I am planning on finninshing it this weekend I (much like you) decided to try tung oil instead of the normal. When I get a chance I will post some comparison photos for you. That is if the computer decides that it wants to work. Again excellent project and like Mike said tell your father ‘Thank You’ from one vet to another….although I am a Iraq vet.
-- Chad, Si vis pacem, para bellum
Ryan Collins
home | projects | blog
32 posts in 343 days
posted 323 days ago
looks good. I am about to make a shadow box for a friend of mine who brought back a flag and certificate for a flag that was flown in iraq. Yea i think you will like tung oil a lot better than spray on laquer, its a lot more forgiving.
-- "Measure twice, cut once." - Norm Abram