Eagle sign WIP

[Carl H]

I had a repeat customer ask if I could carve a sign on an irregular shaped piece of wood.
At first I thought no problem I will use a carrier board.
They wanted a sign originally 36 x 36. on irregular wood.... ouch
Well I thought why nor carve the wood to look irregular.
They wanted an eagle carved on the end of a log.
I used 5/4 cedar and glued up two 14 x 48 inch boards. I tool them to a local cabinet shop to sand them to 1 inch.
I have tried glued up boards before and came upon a few issues. This time the only issue I had was the pattern I made for the machine was based on a 1.5 inch board The wood was now 1 inch and when I started to carve the machine asked me to input the wood thickness. I have never some across that before.

So I needed a pattern for an irregular shaped log end. I got a picture from google and converted it to a pattern. Then I overlaid an eagle but by the time I made the pattern and enlarged it, it was too awkward to use.
I ended up using two greyscale images and putting them together before importing into CW.
Now all I have to do is enlarge them so they fit across 28 inches.
Once I enlarged the pattern I put a little registration line through the center of the image. that way when I cut the trim on the boards I have a defined line to blend the boards.
I cut the edges off the two boards and went back to the cabinet shop to touch up the line. Now it is glued and ready for cutting out on the band saw and scroll saws.
I will finish it with Briwax and acrylic paints. More pictures to come.
Oh I caved it on normal setting. 5 hours for each of the two boards. I should have put a new bit in the machine there were a few fuzzies that needed to be removed. I use a home made sanding mop and it came out pretty good.

[mikemi]

Carl,

That is very impressive. I am sure your customer will be very pleased.

Mike

[SharonB]

Excellent design Carl. Thank you for including the process you went through. Look forward to seeing it finished.

[wwill84751]

Love it! I would even love to paint it! Please post when you are finished! Im sure your customer is going to appreciate it!

[ktjwilliams]

OK that's sharp ....

[Carl H]

Thanks for all the kind comments.

The finish is not complicated. It is really embarrassing when people ask me how long it takes to do it.
I use a product called Briwax. the great thing is you don't need to let it dry between coats.
First I apply the Teak colored wax to the feathers


Then I buff it off leaving darker wax build up in the grooves.
You can buff or sand the highlights to make them pop even more

Next I waxed the background of the log with Light Brown Briwax. I painted the white letters and details. The bark edge is a ring of the Teak wax and then Ebony wax on the outer edge. The ebony can also be used to darken shadows around the body and legs of the eagle.

I am still learning each time I carve, but I get less intimidated each time.

[Carl H]

getting there but some more to I still have to work on the tail
go

[wwill84751]

Awesome!! I love it!

[smurfjeep]

Really great looking sign, thanks for sharing the finishing techniques

[Dale]

Very impressive!