Custom Maps For A Retirement – WoodchuckCanuck.com

We were contacted on Sunday with a request we thought would be an interesting project. The customer had been browsing our For Sale and Previous Works map pages and must have seen where we say “Contact us if you are interested in a custom project…”

After a few emails back and forth we learned the approximate size she was interested in, 14 x 26 inches, and we learned she wanted 5 of them made for retiring RCMP officers. We also discussed colors etc but the biggest thing we learned…she wanted to pick them up on Friday. That gives us 5 days to make 5 maps for 5 retirees, here we go.

DAY 1 SUNDAY

This was the day we learned of this project so after lunch we kicked it into high gear. Jim sized the map of Nova Scotia so it would fit within the parameters of a 14 x 26 backer board, and printed out 5 copies. Then we headed out in search of wood to cut the maps out of. The customer had spied the ones we had made previously where the wood had natural spalting giving them great character.

We searched HIGH…

and LOW.

We brought about 6 or 7 pieces into the workshop to get a better look. Then set up the planer and ran them all through before deciding which pieces we would use.

We set those aside to begin working on the backer boards. Back to choosing wood. Story of my life. We cut boards down to size on the miter saw and then using the table saw we sliced off 35 pieces, 7 for each project.

Lots of cutting to do. — The sawdust was flying.

That means sanding all 35 pieces.

While I was ~~daydreaming~~ sanding Jim started assembling the parts of the backer boards.

Also burning the makers mark on the back of each project.

While Jim waited for me to finish sanding each set, he got started on choosing the boards from the ones we planed earlier and worked on the placement of the paper maps.

With all 5 backer boards cut, sanded, and assembled we called it a day.

DAY 2 MONDAY

I’ll just give you the highlights ok? Painting and cutting. There, that’s it!! That’s what we did all day.

Oh, I almost forgot, the fun part…the customer wanted to know if it would be possible to wood burn the badge number of each officer down in the corner somewhere. Wood burning would be awesome on raw wood then clear coated for example but our backer boards were being painted. Jim suggested cutting out a badge shape and burning the number onto that. She agreed so.. we printed out 6 badges (5 + a spare) at about 3 inches in size. Jim selected wood and got to work on the scroll saw.

When I saw them next he was all finished cutting and sanding (thank you). I transferred the badge number to each badge using carbon tracing paper and delivered them to my sister to work her magic with her wood burner.

DAY 3 TUESDAY

Is it only day 3?? Overnight the customer remembered a 6th map she would like to have if possible!! She would like this one to be smaller for an officer transferring to another posting. The only way this would be at all possible was if we used a map we already had cut out and build a backboard and add a badge.

So first thing in the morning, Jim headed out and put a fire in the woodstove and build a 10 x 17 inch backer board. Here is map #6 with the already cut out map we had on hand and paper stand-in for a badge.

No time to waste, Jim finished cutting out map #2 and started on #3 while I painted the new smaller backer board.

Meanwhile my sister brought over the 5 badges finished plus the spare. She also brought over her wood burning gear so we could get the #6 badge done.

Guess how far Jim got cutting the maps on the scroll saw on this day 3!! He started really early in the morning and came in for supper with all 5 maps cut out!!!

You would swear he used CNC but no. Scroll saw.

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY

Today will have to be the day we finish since we have prior commitments on Thursday and the maps are being picked up on Friday. Plus it allows extra time for glue to dry before pickup.

We started by gluing spacers to the back of the map and nailing them to the map as well.