Slide of the Month extra - Woody's Paul Bunyan

 

May 2023

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Original design:  Woody's Make-Your-Own












Not that I could have done this one but what a fun slide to create! While I have done other Paul Bunyan slides I decided to make this one because...a slide with it's tongue sticking out who could resist.

Made from basswood, I reproduced the profile on the side of the wood and cut out the profile. Using a pencil I made sure to transfer the lines to the front and other side of the wood. I roughed out the slide and left it in a chip style. While the photo does not show it well, the beard was made using several various cuts. I painted it with hobby paints and sealed it with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra-Philmont Clarks Fork

 May 2023

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane








Clarks Fork is a living western history camp that is usually very busy as crews both beginning and ending their treks. It features horseback riding, steer roping practice, branding, great campfire program, and best of all (if you on the last day or two of your trek) the chuckwagon dinner. 

Carved from pallet pine, this was a difficult slide for me because of the angles the cowboy hat and boots don't look right to me. Painted with hobby paints and  lettered with paint pens for a rustic look. A couple of coats of poly finish it off.

Slide of the Month-Battle Drum

 
May 2023

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1.5 hour

 
Boy's Life July 1975, page 36

Original design:  Wayne Mason

The 37th Massachusetts was a volunteer infantry unit formed in Pittsfield, MA in 1862. Known as the "Tremont Zouaves" the companies were known by their uniforms which, beside the union blue, also consisted of a long red wool sash and a red "Fez" hat. Some of the engagements the regiment were in include Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the draft riots of New York City, and the siege of Petersburg. The emblem on this battle drum is from the 37th.

I carved this slide from some maple starting by drilling a 3/4 inch hole trough the middle of the wood. I rounded the slide and then cut in the center of the drum. Next I painted the slide with hobby paints sealed it with a couple coats of poly and applied the emblem using waterslide paper. I drilled holes for the ropes and used small metal beads for the tensioners.