western hat hooks

[cowboy1296]

Need some help finding what i want. The local sheriff wants a hat rack. The hats will hang on the rack up side down such as in this picture. It can be done with decorative wooden dowels or even metal hardware. But i cant find dowels 11 inches long and not sure what you would call the metal hardware. So any input is appreciated.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25025&stc=1

[Burkhardt]

Since you have a CNC machine (I assume) why not cut the arms with the machine as well. Then you have freedom to give them a fancier shape than a straight dowel as well. They can be screwed to the hanger board from the back side or attached with finger joints.

[Burkhardt]

Maybe something like that....

25026

[cowboy1296]

great idea thanks

[bleeth]

Long Barrel Colt 45 Revolvers in relief would be awesome.

[MogulTx]

Wow! You guys have great ideas!!!!

[cowboy1296]

they sure do and thanks

[srwtlc]

Wrought iron hangars. Sometimes found in home and garden departments.

[myxpykalix]

Why not have a branding iron design with a custom brand on the end?

[cowboy1296]

great ideas

[cowboy1296]

I finally finished it and got the hooks that i wanted. The quality of my pictures is somewhat below par.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25730&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25731&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25732&stc=1

[mtylerfl]

I love this project! Your photos are great, too!

[KLWestfall]

Nice work!!

[myxpykalix]

Please explain how you achieved that fantastic finish!

[cowboy1296]

The wood is black walnut. Although i would not suggest it you can put cooking oil on black walnut and it would look good.

I applied two coats of arm-a-seal, wiping off the excess. After those two coats the project will normally have plastic look to it. i then applied a dark brown gel stain to the letters and all over the plaque and wiped off the excess. that generally will kill the plastic look. then a third and final coat of arm-a-seal. its a long ways from the best but i am satisfied with the process.

Thanks for the comments

[gary_n]

What bits did you use for the 3D portion? How long did it take to cut? Not only is the finish awesome, but so is the smoothness--how much if any did you have to sand?

[cowboy1296]

for the roughing i used a quarter inch ball nose and finishing i use a 1/16 inch ball nose. i think it took close to 12 hours to cut.

The wood is black walnut. Although i would not suggest it you can put cooking oil on black walnut and it would look good.

I applied two coats of arm-a-seal, wiping off the excess. After those two coats the project will normally have plastic look to it. i then applied a dark brown gel stain to the letters and all over the plaque and wiped off the excess. that generally will kill the plastic look. then a third and final coat of arm-a-seal. its a long ways from the best but i am satisfied with the process.

Thanks for the comments

[cowboy1296]

@Gary N. I have a pair of the strongest reading glasses available. I sit with my back to the sun and use anything i can get my hands on to sand or pick. Needle files help a lot in removing the fuzzies. A sanding mop on my hand drill is a lot of help. Then i sand lightly between coats and on the flat areas i just started using 400 grit. Now the sheriff wanted a satin finish, but my Arm a Seal was semi gloss. So on the final coat i used a 3-m product Scotch Bright white sanding pads. And rubbed the not dry finish in the direction of the grain and that help not only smooth it out but took a semi gloss to a satin.

Thanks for your comments but i am still learning and struggling at times my self trying to figure out the finishing process. But i strongly recommend arm a seal since it does not yellow the wood like most products.