While on reddit i stumbled upon this great idea http://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/29fhna/abstract_world_map_wall_art_project/ . So I thought I would try my own take on this.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

For this Instructable, you're going to need a few things.

Tools:

Drill bits (1/2, 3/8, 5/16, 1/4, 5/64) or Spade bits
Drill
Measuring tape
Files
Sandpaper (various grit)

Materials:

Plywood (3/4 pine, 32x21) (custom cut at homedepot)
Painters tape
Map printout

Step 2: Map Printout

Firstly determine how big you want the map to be by spacing blank sheets of paper. I wanted mine to be about 4x2 pages in portrait, which translated to 31x21inch plywood. Next choose your map of choice. This is the map i used (http://www.vectorworldmap.com/vectormaps/vector-world-map-v2.2-blank.gif). To get the map to fit on multiple pages follow the instructions from this site (http://scottiestech.info/2009/08/08/how-to-easily-print-a-large-image-to-multiple-pages-in-windows/). Trim the edges for a tighter fit.

Step 3: Preperation

To keep the pages from moving tape the pages in place evenly. Mask the map with painters tape, and try to tape as little overlap as possible.

Outline the continents with a marker.

Step 4: Drilling

Have a panel behind the map to reduce the amount of split wood.

All land will be drilled out, and oceans, rivers, lakes etc will be left alone. The pattern i used is an accurate drilling of an outline (using a 5/64 drill bit), for the rest of the land mass i drilled different sized holes randomly.

Drill the marked outline, making sure to leave some space between the holes. Once complete remove the tape and the page.

To drill the inside of the continent start with the largest sized drill bit and make your way down the the smallest. Space the holes as you wish.