Map of Long Island NY

We were contacted by a nice (and patient) gentleman in the US. He was interested in having us make him a wood map of Long Island NY. He had seen where we had made this map before on our previous works page.

The first one was way back in 2020. Remember that year? Never mind. This is how that map turned out. Love the grey weathered boards with the blue. You can read about the process for this map here.

The second one we cut out was in 2023. Is it only me or do you find you just blink and three years pass by? The process for this map was the same. You can read about it here.

Both of those maps were cut from weathered boards and then placed on top of painted luan plywood. This one we are working on now is the opposite, meaning the map itself is going to be the weathered boards and placed on top of the painted background. You will see what I mean in a minute.

When we cut out the map above with the white background, Jim had saved the cutout map portion. This is my life. Jim’s a saver. You just never know when an occasion will arise when you need that thing. And here we are two years later (I just blinked) and we needed the map.

Once winter was over and with spring trying to take hold, we started work on this map project. We got out the map cutout so we could determine what size to cut the luan plywood and then what size we needed to make the frame.

Jim printed out a map the same size on paper. It was then that we discovered there were bits missing. And by bits I mean most of the smaller pieces had gone awol over the past two years. No problem. We marked on the paper map which ones were missing and numbered them both on the piece to be cut out and on the paper map so we would have an easier time placing them later.

This section had many pieces missing.

Next we measured the large portion of the map and using the circular saw cut the plywood for the backer board 2 feet x 5 feet.

We decided to divide and conquer. I took the luan background into the house and gave it three coats of white paint with a sanding between coat one and two.

And Jim got set up on the scroll saw cutting out all of the small islands and isthmuses.

More cutting.

Once the luan background was dry I brought it out to the workshop so we (Jim) could build the frame. We chose the wood carefully because firstly we wanted it to match or go with the map. And secondly we wanted the face and outside portions of the frame to be weathered. Once cut I sanded the life out of them wearing the latest in spring fashion.

Before I sanded those parts, Jim used the table saw to cut this notch out of each piece for the project to sit in from behind.

We laid the frame over the painted luan plywood…

And using the nail gun on an angle, we (Jim) attached the two together all the way around.

Now it was time for the final assembly. For this we brought everything into the house where it was warmer for the glue to dry.

First up we glued the main portion in place and started on the smaller parts.

With everything glued in place, we weighed it down trying to have each piece make good contact with the backerboard.

Here is the final map!

Good idea not to throw things out, you may need it at some point. Moral of this story is…. Jim was right! There I said it. Don’t tell Jim. I’ll deny it.

Later.