Shopsmith Forums

My big project for the summer was building a wooden Advent Calendar for my grandchildren. When I designed it on SketchUp I really didn't think too much about how long it would take to finish; fortunately, I am retired with little demand on my time other than woodworking.

I finished today, well in time to get it from CA to SC. It is around 15 x 12 x 3 inches.

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It is made with 1/4 BB Plywood and has 186 separate pieces held together by 680 #2 x 1/2 screws.

It required that the pieces be cut with a 1/64 inch precision to assure squareness across the span. If it had not been for the idea on the forum for positioning the fence with the stop collar I might not have even tried.

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The paint is milk paint since I was advised it is very durable and non-toxic. The picture is a print on canvas with high-endurance inks from Somerset House and has beautiful detail.

Now all I have to do is fill the 24 boxes,

Forrest

Nice work Forrest. Obviously a lot of time spent completing the project.

That looks really nice. Thanks for posting.

Very nice! I'm certain it will be greatly valued and appreciated for many years.

Nicely done!

Are the numbers painted on or????

Were I that talented!

Being ham-handed myself, I asked an artist across the street to do them but she declined - fading health.

The numerals are stickers from Michael's, fortunately of the correct size. The small boxes face frames are 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches.

They are the only place where I used polyurethane to try to keep them attached over the ages.

The knobs are also from Michael's 'stick figures' that I cut off to fit.

Forrest

forrestb wrote:My big project for the summer was building a wooden Advent Calendar for my grandchildren. When I designed it on SketchUp I really didn't think too much about how long it would take to finish]22998[/ATTACH]
Forrest

Yes, you finished it on time and also made this fine accomplishment look and work beautifully!

VERY NICE BIT OF WOODWORKING, FORREST!

forrestb wrote:Were I that talented!

Being ham-handed myself, I asked an artist across the street to do them but she declined - fading health.

The numerals are stickers from Michael's, fortunately of the correct size. The small boxes face frames are 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches.

They are the only place where I used polyurethane to try to keep them attached over the ages.

Forrest

I'm working on a clock with wooden gears and I'm trying to figure out how to add numbers to the face. I was at a craft store this weekend looking at die-cut pressure sensitive numbers. I'm afraid they won't stay for more that a few months with changes in humidity and temperature??? You think the poly will seal them?

I worried about the die-cut numbers coming off over time and thought to help 'seal' them with the poly.

Even if it doesn't work, they are easy to replace.

Forrest

Very nice!! Now load it up with M&Ms and chocolate.