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Fellow Lumberjocks,

Finally we'll start putting some of those projects online. This is a first project post for wife or I. We did this combo design for my previous Skipper(Navy Commanding Officer) as a gift from the XO during Change of Command events. This is our first real commission together. I lowballed the amount of time required on this… Live and Learn.

We are glad everyone liked it and it was a personal gift created by someone in his Command. The P-3 Orion is the Navy's current sub chaser, long range patrol aircraft. This is showing an aircraft on station, dropping a torpedo from the opened bomb bay. The sub is shown at snorkle depth in lower left of water. A light coat of tung oil was applied to get the slight curliness of the cherry to pop. This added to the natural waviness of the wood, amplifying the ocean feel. Command coins were recessed into frame with Forestner bit. I need to get the exact mm bit size for these things. If anyone has experience recommended bits to go with, I'm open to suggestions.

I coordinated with the boss-Wife(Not CO or XO) and did the most of the stuff with the frame and backround. The Mrs. cut out the plane(LOTS of sanding there too) and then the woodburning. I think she did AWESOME, especially since she has hardly seen a Navy P-3 Orion.

Wood used: Plane-maple, Sky backround-Mahagony??, Ocean-Cherry, Frame-Walnut Finished it with a couple coats of natural stain and about 5-7 coats of Deft Gloss spray-on poly.

I would like a sprayer someday, as I have used a friend's in the past. Miss you Wendal, most of all for guidance and just a good dude. I'm sure grateful for a artsy, hobby supporting, very Lovely Wife.

LumberJocks you are all inspirational!!

Gallery

Comments

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Hi Tom.

I'm sure the gift went over well. Us military types always love something from the heart, especially related to our chose branch of the service.

Nice too that your "home CO" is a fellow craftsperson. I'm also blessed with such a wife. We both do leathercraft on top of my wood work. Of course, our wives share the ultimate redeeming feature: they put up with US! :)

Paul
D/Maj., E & K Scots (ret.)
 

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I missed in the post…

Cathyb-Great to meet you and thanks for being a sounding board for Sum and I at end of this project.

Mahalo
 

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Very nice work all the way around. Congratulations!
 

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Very Nice…
 

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O my!!!! This is incredible!!!! I am humbled not just by your craftsmenship but by your ability to work together as a team! That is truly inspiring! Your work is stunning! It is a true testament to your relationship, to what you can accomplish together! Please keep working and posting!

Very Respectfully,

Nate
 

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Very nice work! VP-4….that K-Bay correct? I was there for a tour a few years back at the MALS. I just happened to be there a few days ago on Vinson as we are headed home from deployment. Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming.

As for forstner bits, my only recommendation is that you pay for what you get…..I tend to purchase all of mine at Woodcraft. The tough part is that there is a wide variety in the different sizes of coins so the wallet will take a hit if you have 6-7 coins and all are different sizes….
 

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Have you got one of those adjustable hole cutters like the model builders use to cut out wheels? If so, get the Forstner bit that best fits the smallest of the coins, then use the adjustable bit to trim the hole wider, a bit at a time, until it's a snug fit on the larger coin. This way, two bits (the Forstner and the cutter) can do the job of many. If you have one of those cutters, give it a try on some scrap and see what you think.

Paul
 
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