Introduction: World Map Out of Wood
The other day in the store i saw a rather expensive world map made out of wood. This got me thinking i could do this myself. In this instructable i'll try to explain how i made it and maybe help you make one to.
Step 1: Gather Materials
First you need to gather a few materials. The following list contains everything is used:
- 2 pieces of 200x650x32mm pine
- 1 piece of 2700x50x32mm pine
- scrap bits of metal
- small wood screws, any will do
- paint (and brushes)
- wood router
- cordless drill
- mitter saw
- basic handtools
Step 2: Find Your Map
Google a bit and find a map you would like to use. I then imported the file into GIMP (free image editor) and made it a little bit more printer friendly. Then i exported the file as .pdf an printed it on A3 sized paper.
Step 3: Transfer the Map to the Wood
Place the map on the wood, trace it with a pen (or something like that). Remove the paper and then use your pen to draw the map over the lines you just made.
Step 4: Making the Frame
Using the 2700x50x32mm piece of wood i bought, i made a frame around the map. I used wood dowels to connect and align the pieces, a bit of power fix made sure it wasn't going anywhere.
Step 5: Grab Your Wood Router
It's now time to grab your wood router. I decided to put a frame around the map and brightened it up with some beautiful curves. Then i used another router bit to make the map look a little bit 3d.
Step 6: Putting It Al Together
Using the scrap bits of metal and a cordless drill i connected the two pieces of the map together. Using even more parts of scrap metal i connected the map to the frame.
Step 7: Finish
I used blue acrylic paint to color in the sea, in hindsight i think the result was better without the blue paint. If you like the video and this instructable, please give it a thumbs up :)
Step 8: Change of Heart (and Paint)
I was really not liking the blue color i put on it. After some digging in my shed i found a color called 'inflatable blue'. I decided to paint it again using this color. Really, really pleased with the result.