Homemade gift for Boyfriend.. (woodwork)

GEEGEE8

Hi, not sure if this is the right board or not.

I want to make a homemade gift for boyfriend, maybe a wooden heart or something.. His birthday in Sept, so I've got lots of time.

Where can I get the wood from? and what type etc.. trying to do this as cheap/free as possible..

I also wanted to make bedside cabinets, is this too much for a non-woodwork type of person?

Any ideas? :A

foxwales

In reclemation yards you can generally find old peices of oak etc so try and find out if any are in your area and pop along and have a browse.

Depending on the size of this heart, you will need to choose your wood accordingly as each tree has different wood type, different strenghts and different grains making it easy or not so easy to carve.

Basswood seems to be a popular choice for beginners because it's easy to carve and you can generally do this with a sharp blade.

What ever you do, practice on some old wood first to try and get your techniques right as there is nothing worse than having a decent peice of wood, hitting it and then watching it split in two :rotfl:

Sounds lovely though, wish my other half would do that for me, would mean a hell of a lot more than a bought DVD from Tesco.

About building bedside cabinets, I wouldn't bother until you gain some experience and learn the techniques of wood working as you will find it hard, maybe expensive because of mistakes and also you may not be happy with end results.

vaio

I did a few links of chain (see http://www.carvingpatterns.com/spoons/chains1.htm) for my OH about 20 years ago, (the idea was a traditional welsh love spoon but that was way way too hard)

They were recognisable as links but to be honest I thought turned out a bit crap but she loves them and prizes them above the assorted diamonds, gold & opals she's had over the years.

xmaslolly76

I have absoultey no idea what to advise you but just wanted to say what lovely thing to do. I wish I had the time and the patience to do something so nice :-) x

Bufger

The heart would be great, you could do a fairly good sized one with some pattern in it or a poem inscribed etc, excellent idea. If you've never worked with wood before you need to take your time, make a few blanks up to size and dont rush it, you will mess up at some point so remember taking too little off can be solved, taking too much off is a little harder to solve!

Bedside cabinets? i'd see how the heart goes first! i've done a few smaller things (coasters, nameplates etc) and i think i would struggle with bedside units.

GEEGEE8

Awww, thanks everyone! I thought I wouldn't get any replies to be honest..

I will have to locate a scap yard then and try to get a good cut of wood..

What do you suggest carving it with?

I hope he will like it, I'm sure he will, I just want to do something different and special..

Bedside cabinet - yup, think I was getting a little adventurous there haha

skypie123_2

Geegee - I wanted to say what a wonderful, thoughtful person you are to think of doing something like this. What you make for your OH will be totally unique and you would never be able to put a price on something like that. We live in a world where its all too easy to pick up a gift off the shelf without too much thought. I think its fantastic that there are people around who like to make things in this way for someone they obviously adore.
Good luck with it honey and I hope he loves it! xxx

GEEGEE8

Aww thanks skypie123

I was quite flush last year and did a Lambourghini day, trip to Ireland etc for his birthday. Needless to say I want to do something more thoughtful this year, more personal

I will update if I find suitable wood, and cutting instrument lol

LilacLouisa

GEEGEE8 wrote: »

Hi, not sure if this is the right board or not.

I want to make a homemade gift for boyfriend, maybe a wooden heart or something.. His birthday in Sept, so I've got lots of time.

Where can I get the wood from? and what type etc.. trying to do this as cheap/free as possible..

I also wanted to make bedside cabinets, is this too much for a non-woodwork type of person?

Any ideas? :A

If woodcraft/carpentry really appeals to you, it might be worth looking if there are any nightclasses near you. I went to one many years ago, and was really surprised by how many women were there. They were making lovely things too, such as dressing tables, frames for settees etc, whilst the men were making farm gates and more mundane things, but all good..

It was really good fun, and even I managed to make a magazine rack and kiechen cabinet for the wall!

GEEGEE8

Hmmm, could be a possibility. Altho, I already go college all day on a Monday doing Civil Engineering, I would like to do another course..

Recent redundancy and job searching may put that idea on hold until I know what my working hours will be, but thanks for the idea. I will have a look and see what is available anyhow..

My Civils class is all lads, so I'm used to being the only girl lol

LilacLouisa

GEEGEE8 wrote: »

Hmmm, could be a possibility. Altho, I already go college all day on a Monday doing Civil Engineering, I would like to do another course..

Recent redundancy and job searching may put that idea on hold until I know what my working hours will be, but thanks for the idea. I will have a look and see what is available anyhow..

My Civils class is all lads, so I'm used to being the only girl lol

Sounds like it could be a win-win situation then. You might also be able to start up a little cottage industry and earn a few extra pennies ( I like wolves, but not at my door) Good Luck.