Time to get your opinion

[cowboy1296]

I have a cousin who was very passionate about the presidential nominations. Her candidate of choice did not win. Now she wants to spend money to send a thank you plaque to him. I think it is a stupid idea and I am not even sure that they can accept such gifts. Anyhow your thoughts.

[bleeth]

"I may not agree with your opinion but I will defend to the death your right to express it"
(Paraphrase of quote by Evelyn Beatrice Hall)

I don't agree with many of my friends opinions either, and vice-versa.
I appreciate that we live in a country that still values that freedom.

[tri4sale]

Is she wanting it free, discounted or pay regular price for it. If the last, then do it. If the first, well, I'd politely decline.

I'd don't agree with everyone's opinion, but their money spends as well as the next guy with a wrong opinion (you know, the one that doesn't agree with mine :) )

[cowboy1296]

thanks, not sure how she intends to pay for it. no doubt she is thinking with her heart and not her brain.

[dlcw]

thanks, not sure how she intends to pay for it. no doubt she is thinking with her heart and not her brain.

Maybe she's thinking someone else will pay for it for her?

[cowboy1296]

could be, but the good thing i have not heard back from her.

[guitarwes]

Maybe she's thinking someone else will pay for it for her?

You're thinking of the wrong candidate that hasn't officially lost yet.

[cowboy1296]

apparently she lost interest. And no if she came back she would not get it for free. The wood alone for my plaques cost 60-80 and that is my cost.

[genek]

apparently she lost interest. And no if she came back she would not get it for free. The wood alone for my plaques cost 60-80 and that is my cost.

how big of plaques are you using

[Xray]

Not sure why its such a stupid idea, and I doubt if there is any prohibition on failed candidates accepting 1 off thank you gifts.

If its against your principles then don't do it, I have turned down requests for things I just would not create for any price.

Would be curious what kind of wood you use and size that costs so much.

[cowboy1296]

It is not just the wood that cost that much. I live in the sticks and hard wood stores are quite a distance from me. Since i work out of the corner of my garage i have no room for other toys, such as sanders and planners. I use a local furniture maker who buys rough cut lumber, rips it and glues it back together and sands it. So there is labor cost built into the price, but i save in other ways. These are cut from 8/4 and typically my plaques are 17-18 inches tall or round and are all 3-d. I generally calculate it out to the square inch on how much I paid. It has been as low a 9 cents a square inch for cherry and as high as 24 cents for black walnut. And then there is always a little waste. My finished planks generally come in at 18-20 inches wide by 60 inches long and range from 1.7 to 1.9 inches thick.

There is one hard wood store not far from me. Obviously people buy his stuff or he would be out of business. The last time i was in there rough cut black walnut was 15 dollars a board foot and it was not the best wood. So i am not interested in buying his wood. And this was 4-5 years ago.

But for now its a mute issue since i think that she lost interest.

Not that it matters but here is a sample of my plaqueshttp://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28364&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28365&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28366&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28367&stc=1

[myxpykalix]

Absolutely beautiful work cowboy, your finishes are great!

[cowboy1296]

Thanks. I have struggled with finishing over the years. Some of the stuff i put out in the beginning was criminal.

[Xray]

Impressive work, I think have seen some posted before.

So is that about your cost per plank or per plaque ? That thick, seems like you could just about double it with a good bandsaw. I often shave off blanks to right around the thickness I need, even if if means just shaving off 1/4 or even 1/8 to use for something else. Everyones different, usually I don't require anything more than .8 for my 3D projects. Wastage sucks but is a fact of life we have to deal with, but minimizing is definitely possible in most cases. You obviously are successful with what you do so probably don't need to change your formula.

[cowboy1296]

Me being different is what most of my girl friends have said, not sure that was in a positive sense. I have done some in 6/4. I did 300 dollars damage to my truck this week backing out of the garage. There is just no more room for toys. A decent hardwood store is 200 miles round trip and shipping to my house if i buy on line is costly. but for a plank made from 8/4 that is 18 inches wide and 60 inches long was 210 on my last order. depending on what i am making i can get 3-4 plaques. Perhaps that is not a great price but considering everything it is a fair price.

[joe]

It doesn't get much better than this.

If this kind of work was on the national market the price of materials wouldn't even be discussed. Gees, Cowboy you're one of the best. Where do you expect to go with this kind of work? It just can't be limited.

What I hope is you don't start into production, making lots of 3d carved plaques. Limited editions bring good money and are less trouble.

Joe

[cowboy1296]

That means a lot coming from you Joe. Jokingly i tell people all the time that i dont want a job or i would get a shop and start production. Of course i posted the pictures of the ones that look good. Finishing tool paths take a very long time. Last month was busy for me even being part time and i just got my electrical bill, ouch.

[tearls26]

Cowboy what finish do you use on these plaques. I carve plaques but not 3d

[cowboy1296]

i use primarily Arm-a-seal wipe on poly. If it starts to take on a plastic look i wipe it down with a dark gel stain, but a very thin coat and then finish it off with another coat of arm-a-seal

[phd1658]

Absolutely gorgeous, Cowboy. I'll have to check out that poly!

[cowboy1296]

the beauty about arm-a-seal, is that it does not turn raw wood the ugly amber that we are all use to. This DART plaque ships out today, Dallas last week. 2 coats of arm-a-seal, jell stain in the letters and wiped off the excess followed by a 3rd coat of arm-a-seal. Arm a seal is made by General finishes and you can get it through roclhttp://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28653&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28654&stc=1ker, on ebay and or amazon.

[bleeth]

You're work is inspiring. Thank you so much for recognizing the efforts of those who protect our lives and, unfortunately sometimes sacrifice theirs in the process.

I truly appreciate it.


Dave

[cowboy1296]

I truly appreciate that.