Carving Aladdin's Lamp Out of a Moldy Log (2019 Version)

Seeing as the new Aladdin movie is coming out this spring, dad and I decided that it was time for a mini break from all of our complex projects. While we thought that this little build would be quick and easy, we later came to find out that carving wood is just as hard as making something with a secret compartment!

READ FIRST: VIDEO DISCLAIMER

Bit of a disclaimer here, but most of our videos from now on are transforming into a mix of entertainment/informational/vlog format. These are the videos that dad and I enjoy making the most SO IF YOU LIKE WATCHING INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS ONLY, DON'T BOTHER WATCHING THE VIDEO BELOW.WHILE IT DOES CONTAIN PLENTY OF INFORMATION ON HOW TO CRAFT A WOODEN GENIE LAMP, IT IS MOSTLY FULL OF ENTERTAINMENT BASED CLIPS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!

Step 1: Materials

Affiliate Links

The log that we made the lamp out of was waterstained, so it was semi moldy!
Dremel: https://amzn.to/2SLfxnH
Bandsaw: https://amzn.to/2LYI7z6
Belt Sander: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Sanding Drums: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Tape Measure: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Dremel Burrs: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Camcorder: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Cherry Stain: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Scroll Saw: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Planer: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Woodburning Kit: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Wood Glue: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
1 Foot Quick Grip Clamps: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Combination Square: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Jointer: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Chop Saw: https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH
Bible (not an affiliate link): https://amzn.to/2SQUdNH

Step 2: Log Flattening

Since we were dealing with a round log, we had to create four flat edges around it with our chainsaw so that it was easier for us to manage on our bandsaw. Just a quick tip though, cutting logs like this is much easier when the logs are pinched between something. I had my little brother just hold the logs with a rake so that they stayed more stationary.

Step 3: Bandsaw Rough Cutting

Once we had our flats cut on our log, the next thing that we had to do was begin to shape our lamp. The easiest way that we have found to carve out a digital image is to blow it up in Microsoft Paint to your desired size and then print it off on multiple pages of paper so that you can create an outline to carve around. This always works well whenever you're carving around one X-Axis of an object, but when you need to carve out the Y-Axis of your item this can get a bit trickier because you have most likely cut away your original pattern.

So what we do to compensate for this is save some of the chunks that we cut away and tape them back on to the project so that we can then draw the top-view of our item and then carve around this pattern with our bandsaw.

Step 4: Main Shaping

I don't want to be too vague on how we did this, but to be honest, a lot of woodcarvings is all about just taking your time and envisioning what you want your creation to look like. We used everything from a rotary sander, Dremel, and Sawzall (would not recommend this one {see video}) to get the shape we were looking for. We still have a ton of things to learn about wood carving so hopefully, we'll get better in time.

Step 5: Wood-Burned Designs

This step was pretty simple but very time-consuming. Based on the picture I was going off of, I couldn't really see any of the designs on the actual lamp. So I just eyeballed what I thought they looked like and left it at that.

Step 6: Finishing Up

To finish off our lamp, we merely used a dark cherry based stain to simulate the actual lamp's darker appearance.

Looking back on our lamp now, I know there were several areas that we could have done better on. But that's what making things is all about, it's about seeing what you're good at and what you're not so that you can always keep improving on yourself and your projects.