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 Post subject: small AF plaque--
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:20 am 
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Location: Tucson, AZ
Well, one of my Airmen is leaving the AF on Monday and we are having her going away luncheon tomorrow. The unit booster club member in charge oopsied and neglected to do a going away gift so I was asked if there was any way I could do one (today)

Long story short, I COMPLETELY forgot about it (it was a loooong day) and then tonight at 7:30 while I was at my 8 year old's school singing concert I suddenly remembered... "oh shi.... shoot"

Concert ended 7:45.... home by 7:50
7:55 - tucked the kids in

8:00 - sat down at the computer and designed a quick plaque

8:10 - called LOML over for the design thumbs up and a spell check (don't ask why I do that but lets just say it is frustrating to do a carve and then realize you spelled "civilian" wrong on several...

8:15 - stepped to the shop and quickly face jointed, planed and edge jointed/ripped a 4 inch by 18 inch piece of red oak

8:30 - started carve

8:45 - carve completed, brass wire brushed out the engraving, cut the board to size (4 x 12) and chamfered the ends and sides and gave all a quick sand

9:00 - gave all a quick once over with shellac... brought inside to dry

9:15 - sat down at the dinner table with blue paint and a black paint pen and painted in the AF symbol and wrote in the letters with ink pen

9:45 - piece done... took a quick picture
Image

I have to say, it was a really nice feeling to have the project come together so quickly and nicely.... I never actualy felt rushed as each step of the process is now a familiar one.... and Nancy will have a nice little memento to take with her... she's certainly earned it

Thanks for looking-- just wanted to share the story
Lawrence


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:37 am 
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Location: Tyaak, Victoria Australia
Its nice when things work. Usually those last minute quick jobs have you still at it into the wee hours of the morning.

Job well done Lawrence!
Im sure she will appreciate it immensely.

eric


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:05 am 
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Lawrence that looks great and speaks very well of you.

Have a great day.


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:38 pm 
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I think you and that carvewright are becoming best friends. Looks great.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:38 pm 
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Looking good Lawrence. You are having too much fun. Rather than hand paint, could you put masking tape on the surface before you carve and then just spray paint and then remove the tape? Just a thought.

Keep up the good work,
Carl


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:36 pm 
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Better living through technology - nice work.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:08 pm 
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From a former Airman, I can tell you it's beautiful!

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:56 pm 
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chill wrote:
Looking good Lawrence. You are having too much fun. Rather than hand paint, could you put masking tape on the surface before you carve and then just spray paint and then remove the tape? Just a thought.

Keep up the good work,
Carl


Yes you can--your suggestion works well with tight grained woods like mesquite and maple and I have done this a couple of times. You can use either masking tape or clear contact paper. I found that with oak that I had to work really hard to keep spray paint from bleeding through due to the capillary action of the wood... it helps some to pre-post shellac the piece to cut down on bleeding.

on the other hand, painting with a glass of scotch in one hand and a paintbrush in the other is rather theraputic...

Another option I've tried is spray painting and then sanding the piece to remove the paint from anywhere not carved-- again, this works well with closed grain woods but with oak you have to sand an awful lot to remove the paint from the grain and you chance sanding through the carve...

Thanks for the encouragement all--
Lawrence


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:01 pm 
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Good job! She's going to really appreciate that.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:35 pm 
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Larry Norton wrote:
From a former Airman, I can tell you it's beautiful!


As another Former Airman (1951- 53) it's good BUT I Hate that new
emblem. It looks "spindled, folded, and mutilated".
...lew...


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:31 am 
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Lew Hartswick wrote:
Larry Norton wrote:
From a former Airman, I can tell you it's beautiful!


As another Former Airman (1951- 53) it's good BUT I Hate that new
emblem. It looks "spindled, folded, and mutilated".
...lew...


At first I agreed with you...

In as much as I miss the old wool uniform and bus-driver hat... I think of the past. I still have my old jacket tucked away in some dusty corner... with fond memories of an Airman's visions of the gruff and wise senior NCO handing out wisdom like so much penny candy and a dream of someday making Master Sergeant and wearing that final bottom stripe.

...but I do not despair to wear this "new" rank or symbol... a downturned rocker now rides high and proudly upon my chevrons like a shield before the phalanx... Some may view it as new and an aboration, but my Airmen see it as representing their hopes for their own futures-- for this I wear them both with honor.

I treasure the past but embrace the present---these bright-eyed young men and women truly are our nations's greatest hope.... and my greatest joy. I cannot describe how much eagerness I sense in their every action, and how much their eagerness fuels my fire.

Because of this, I wear this strange new Air Force symbol... for duty and honor and the knowledge that maybe someday an old and crusty Master Sergeant will think of these fleeting times and this new symbol as "the good old days".

In recent times I have observed Airmen with glistening eyes view this angled star and wings as a representation of their devotion.... they cling to it with a dedication that leaves me in awe. Though I maintain my old Hap Arnold symbol within my heart, I sense its and his spirit within this new emblem... and this gives me peace beyond words and hope for generations to come. A symbol is just that, a symbol... what it stands for is much greater than a shape-- it is your vision, my vision, and that of those to come.

With the greatest of respect to you, your service, and your thoughts on this angled star and wings in which I now find such grand beauty,

And with the hope that as kindred spirits you may now see some of its beauty as well,

Yours in shared devotion,
Master Sergeant Lawrence Richards
42 ECS, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 7:57 am 
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Well said, Sarge, Well said.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:22 pm 
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Nice job, and I am amazed how quick you were able to bring it from idea to completion.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:17 am 
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Nice work Lawrence.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:24 am 
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Lawrence,

I love it. I need to get me one of those things. :-)

Scot


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 3:52 pm 
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Great save Lawrence. Far too many times I've seen great people separate and even retire with little to no recognition of their service from the ones who'd gained the most from it.

A close friend of mine retired from the ANG last year, after a 20 year career, half on AD, and recieved nothing at all from the unit. No flag, medal, or even a hat, and after 20 years, I was just shoked by their lack of respect.

Well done, Master Sergent!

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