Carving with power tools can be a fun way to spend an afternoon, and if you have a kid who is into the video war games and role playing, a wooden carbine can give him/her hours of fun.
Step 1
Select a suitable, carvable piece of wood. It should be soft enough to carve, but tough enough to be durable. If you are lucky, you may even find one with a grain that fits the curves of the project.
Step 2
Mark out the basic outline. Use a photograph from a book or magazine as a guide, and freehand the basic shape. Unless you are trying to make a scale replica, this will give pretty good results.
Step 3
Saw out the outline with a circular saw for straight cuts, and a jigsaw for curves.
Step 4
Sand out the contours with a small hand grinder and a coarse sanding disc.
Step 5
Drill out any holes that occur on the gun you are replicating, such as the barrel, and here, a hole in the stock.
Step 6
Finish sanding by hand, and install a trigger guard and trigger formed from aluminum wire.
Step 7
Paint it to make it more realistic if you wish. Don't forget to paint the tip of the barrel with a Blaze Orange so as to not be mistaken for an actual fire arm.
Step 8
Give it to your young soldier, and let the fun begin.
Tips
- Be careful selecting your wood. It should not have any large, loose knots or splits.
- Use the circular saw for all cuts that it is capable of making, it is quicker and easier, and usually more accurate than the jig saw.
- Secure the piece you are working with when doing your cuts, if it is slipping and sliding on the work table, the cuts will be difficult to make.
Warnings
- Be familiar with any power tool you are using, and use only for its intended purpose.
- Keep fingers away from blades and cutting tools.
- Do not breath sanding dust from chemically treated lumber (wear a mask).
- Wear eye protection.
- Don't point it at anybody that doesn't know it's not real.
Things You'll Need
- Power tools: Circular saw, Jig saw, Drill, 4 inch Grinder.
- Suitable wood, 2X6 yellow pine, etc.
- Sand paper.
- Marker or pencil.
- Gun book or illustration for reference.
