Introduction: Navigation by the Sun Board - Scouts Australia

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This Navigation Board teaches you how to find due NORTH (in the Southern Hemisphere) by pointing 12-o-clock at the SUN, and halfway between the HOUR hand and 12-o-clock is the direction of North.

Step 1: Materials/Tools/Equiment

You will need the following materials:
    9 mm MDF 900 mm x 450 mm
    3 mm MDF 900 mm x 450 mm
    5 mm Nails
    PVA Glue
    Paints - Green, Blue, Red, Yellow, Brown, White (old house paints or sample pots at the local hardware store are perfect)
    Masking Tape

Tools/Equipment:
    Jigsaw
    Clamps
    Safety Glasses
    Ear Protection
    Pencil
    Square
    Black Marker Pen

Step 2: Drawing and Cutting Your Timber

Step 1, cut the 9 mm MDF board in half to make 2 "450 mm x 450 mm" project boards,

Step 2, draw the overall design on the project board in pencil,

Step 3, transfer the designs to the 3 mm MDF board and cut out each layer,


Step 3: Paining and Assembly

Step 4, Paint each layer of MDF the colour to match the finished design,

Step 5, Apply PVA Glue to the back of each layer and then nail on to the project board. You will need to touch up the paint slightly after you have completed the assembly, 

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Step 6, Once assembled you need to draw on the clock features,

Step 7, Using the masking tape, make two even rows of tape with a gap in the middle, and then place tape across this like a train track exposing the location where you want to pain the imaginary lines. To get maximum sharpness for the Dashed Red Lines, paint with white first.

Step 5: Finished

Step 8, Finished...

This Navigation Board was constructed as part of the "Handyworker" & "Bushcraft" Level 1 Badges for Cubs Scouts Australia by my 9yr old son. After he constructed these he just had to practice with a watch to navigate North. This visual aid helped him remember how to navigate for the Bushcraft Badge and taught him great tool skills and a completed wood work project for the Handyworker Badge.

Note: you can always travel South by using this technique and walking the opposite direction. Just as long as you can see the sun...