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.

Slide of the Month Extra - Woody's Barney The Owl

 

April 2023

Time to make: 2 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Original design:  Woody's Make-Your-Own













Another in the Woody's series and I not sure I ever saw this one in the trading post. Maybe this slide would not have fulfilled the carving in the round requirement at that time or perhaps they were all snapped up by others in the weeks before I got to camp. No matter there were other slides to destroy by my clumsy hand back then. 

Carved from sugar pine (like the original Woody's kits) and it was a bit of fortune that I came across a piece of this when traveling for work. A pretty straight forward slide and I didn't need to sketch this one out ahead of time as I could reproduce it just from sight. Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month Extra- Philmont Family Adventure

April 2023

Time to make: 3 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

Original design:  Philmont / Bill Macfarlane



What a cool alternative for families wanting to experience Philmont. Lots of activities for all ages and fun to be had all year long. Some of the tents feel a little like glamping and bungalows seem far removed from backpacking tents on the trail but each to there own.

Carved from pallet pine, it's another series of levels with the campfire towards the front and the Tooth of Time at the back. Painted with hobby paints, lettered with waterslide paper, and sealed with a couple coats of poly.

Slide of the Month- Road Signs

 

April 2023

Time to make: 1 hours

Finishing: .5 hour

 

Boy's Life June 1977, page 74

Original design:  Wayne Mason





So this is my spin on the Road Signs neckerchief slide that every adult leader should own. Come to think of it, I should also have one for the Senior Patrol Leader...Yield - ask your patrol leader.

A very quick slide to make as it has really one thing to cut. I used a think piece of hobby 1/16 inch plywood and cut it in the octagon shape. I painted it with white hobby paint. Next I printed out the red area on white water slide paper and applied it to the slide. I sealed it with a couple coats of poly.

Side of the Month Extra - Woody's American Eagle

 

March 2023

Time to make: 3.25 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Original design:  Woody's Make-Your-Own













I also tried this Woody's Slide in another summer at Scout camp with disastrous results. (Sigh) The interesting part was finding myself at the hospital for a carving accident that resulted in stitches. No it wasn't me but one of the other Scouts in our troop who cut his thigh with one of those really sharp carving knives. I was there for moral support as his Senior Patrol Leader. 

Carved from bass wood, there were parts of this slide that went quickly and the wings took time to carve. Lots of v-cuts in the wings. Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple coats of poly.