Saturday, March 28, 2020

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Flag




March 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 2 hour

Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane






Now I had not seen this flag until I went to a crew training but once I saw it I knew I had to make a slide based on the flag. I understand it not only flies over the Philmont property but in a good many councils, troops, and homes of those who have attended Philmont. 

Carved from yellow southern pine, this is a multi-level slide as once again I'm taking a 2-dimensional photo and trying to make it a bit 3-dimensional. The ribbon is the top level and the semi-circle title and Tooth of Time at the second level. the rays of the New Mexico sun logo is the third level as well as the ground at the bottom of the mountain. The bottom level is the background and the rising of the sun behind the Tooth of time. I painted the slide with hobby paints and finished it off with a couple of coats of poly. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Slide of the Month Extra - Mini Bear




March 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 2 hour

Original design: Bill Macfarlane





Oh sure their cute but they are the most destructive bear at Philmont, or anywhere, and will chew through a backpack to get to a tasty snack. Ok, so this is another concept slide of mine. I was reading up on some of the areas in Philmont and the old west when I came upon a wanted poster. Well before you know it, out popped the mini bear outlaw idea.

Carved from southern yellow pine I modeled the chipmunk based on a couple of cartoon versions of them and came up with this fellow. I painted the slide with hobby paints but I forgot to paint the mouth. The lettering and the image for the Philfood were done on waterslide paper with a couple of coats of poly finishing it off.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont We All Made It!



March 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 2 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane






In these days of COVID-19, extended school vacations (closures), work from home, and yes temporary cancelling of Scout meetings and functions, it is important to remember that this to will pass. Before you know it, we can say "WE ALL MADE IT!" So wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes and Scout on!

"We All Made It" Award
 An award presented by Philmont to each crew that:
         Demonstrated good camping practices and scouting spirit.
         Followed an approved itinerary and camped only where scheduled.
         Fulfilled the commitment to the Wilderness Pledge.

Another reclaimed pallet piece of southern yellow pine, I liked how this slide came together and just seemed to jump off the wood. I painted it with hobby paints and the lettering done with water slide (decal) paper. A couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont 2018 Recovery Corps




March 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 2 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane





One bright spot that came out of 2018 Philmont experience was the Philmont Recovery Corps. Volunteers coming together with one goal in mind, to help Philmont get past the Ute Park Fire.

Carved from southern yellow pine this slide has several layers which, considering there are only two basic colors, give it some depth. It is painted with hobby paints and the lettering was done with water slide decals printed on an ink jet printer.


Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont 2018




March 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1.5 hours

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane





Members of our crew were on the ill-fated trek scheduled back in 2018. While it was terrible for them to miss it, I'm grateful to have them and their wisdom along with all of us this year.

I realized I haven't the time this week to publish, but I'll put up a couple tonight.

 Carved from southern yellow pine, I like the simplicity of the slide though I just couldn't get the lettering quite right and it's my only disappointment with this slide.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Slide of the Month Extra - Philmont Red Bull




March 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane






Here is another Philmont Bull I've seen on patches. I'm not really sure on the origins of this design but I really like how it turned out!

Carved from southern yellow pin, I did find I had to toughen up certain parts of the slide (like the hooves and horns) with a coating of super glue since the pine was very fragile. Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple of coats of poly 

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Slide of the month - Leather slide



March 2020

Time to make: 2 hours

Boys Life "Slide of the Month"

Sep. 1977, page 60

 Original design: Glenn Wagner

Leather design: Bill Macfarlane





So when I was building a knife kit I got as a Christmas present, I wanted to design a special knife sheath with tooled leather but I have never tooled in my life. Instead of ruining the sheath, I decided to practice on another piece of leather. It turned out pretty well and I decided to make it a slide.

 I wanted to include both a Celtic knot as well as a Scottish thistle and drew the design combining both elements. Next, I traced the design onto the leather using some leather transfer paper. Using a leather swivel knife, I cut the surface of the leather along the lines of the design. Next using leather stamps to form the background. To finish the leather, I applied a leather conditioner to protect and color the slide.

Finally, I cut holes around the piece and into a leather loop so I could lace it up with 325 paracord that I removed the center core from.

 
 By the way, here is the finished knife.