| Project by Scot T | posted 1921 days ago | 1309 views | 2 times favorited | 19 comments | ![]() |
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Edit: The entire thumb is actually a knot that has some grain to it and makes it look a lot like a certain woodworker’s own thumbprint. It’s ‘knot’ that impressive, but I’ve submitted this project for the a knot like no other contest anyhow.
Pop (in-law) built himself a nice little woodworking shop, so I made him a sign for his birthday.
Simple pine 36”w x 18” high (edge joined with glue and biscuits to get the 18” width).
I don’t have an edge jointer so I had to do the table saw trick to get the edges square prior to joining.
Oval cut using the string and nails technique. Oval groove done with cove bit and edge guide and outer edge was cut with a 1/4” roundover bit.
Letters done by using scaled computer printout, then transferring the outlines using a 1/2” chisel. Freehand routing done with a plunge router and a 90 degree 3/8” V-groove bit.
Some wood burning done on tools and injured thumb, red mahogany in lettering and on icons, and honey oak stain over all else. 4 coats of spray on polyurethane front and back with 400g sanding before the final coat finished it off.
-- Scot, SW Washington
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19 comments so far
GaryK
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10263 posts in 2159 days
#1 posted 1921 days ago
Pretty nice. I really like the hand chiseled letters.
-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX
FrankA
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139 posts in 1950 days
#2 posted 1921 days ago
Very nice job, I love the thumb. I sure Pop will be thrilled I know I would.
-- Frank Auge---Nichols NY----"My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked, but it is price competitive."
cajunpen
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11633 posts in 2237 days
#3 posted 1921 days ago
Really clever sign. You did a good job on the carving and routing. Pops should be proud to hang it in his shop.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
ND2ELK
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13495 posts in 1945 days
#4 posted 1921 days ago
Love your sign! Very nice job!
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Critterman
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584 posts in 1981 days
#5 posted 1921 days ago
LOL, that’s a great sign, especially the hand/thumb in the middle. Great job Scot.
-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA
Popintraining
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110 posts in 2009 days
#6 posted 1921 days ago
That’s a great looking sign, I need one of those for our shop. Thanks for posting
-- Illegitimis nil carborundum - Don't let the bastards grind you down http://georgiacustom.com
Cathy Krumrei
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364 posts in 2357 days
#7 posted 1920 days ago
Bet Pop loves it! Nothing greater then homemade. Thanks for sharing.
MsDebbieP
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18320 posts in 2332 days
#8 posted 1920 days ago
haha this is GREAT
what a great sign – and well made! Great job
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
CharlieM1958
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14865 posts in 2390 days
#9 posted 1920 days ago
Excellent job! I’m sure he’ll love it.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Scot T
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14 posts in 1947 days
#10 posted 1920 days ago
Thanks for the praise everyone. Pop was completely thrilled on his birthday (and hung it early the next morning). There’s also a funny story behind the injured thumb icon. During larger projects in the past (patio covers, remodels, etc.), he’s held nails for me in awkward spaces. Somehow, I always seemed to hit his thumb, so it was fitting to commemorate that.
I have to clarify something that may have been misleading though. I did’nt carve the lettering using a chisel, but only transferred the lettering outline using it. Cutting through the paper is pretty easy that way and you know when you’re done with a letter because the entire thing comes out of the larger piece of paper ;-) With the letter outlines in place, I used the router to do the ‘real’ work.
-- Scot, SW Washington
Scott Bryan
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27262 posts in 1993 days
#11 posted 1920 days ago
This is a great birthday gift. I really like the details on the project.
Thanks for sharing.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
RobH
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465 posts in 2221 days
#12 posted 1920 days ago
Great job. I need to make me a sign like that for the shop.
Keep up the great work!
-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA
Grumpy
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17840 posts in 2022 days
#13 posted 1920 days ago
Beaut sign Scot. I wonder how that would with Grumpy’s Woodworks, hmmmm.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Bob A in NJ
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1095 posts in 2170 days
#14 posted 1920 days ago
Wow, you are one heck of a woodworker. Another great job.
-- Bob A in NJ
Bradford
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1421 posts in 1994 days
#15 posted 1920 days ago
Scot, you gave an excellent description of the steps, and you freehanded the routing with a plunge router? wow! That is a nice sign. Gotta make myself one now. Good job.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford. Wood-a-holics unanimous president
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