When last we left, Chris had finished the compass rose and was fitting the white oak flooring around it. This was a painstaking task but it came out great.
We put a light coat of stain and poly on it and then took a deep breath.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrySkGg7eAxF39SFLAGSS9Xtd1SH4Uq5q4fC9qcRS50bpvnsTGYeHfuqcJE92XnyGrgyPZkX2MU5AogYHdunub1dSYIFQI7MaeGtiHxjyvraoHuAz-0R4BIR7S1M33Bc4EpyM-hvcreyk/s1600/fl1.jpg) |
Wait - you want to do what to it? |
Why the breathing exercises? Because we (Chris) decided to do a copper inlay of an N for North and a ring around the compass points. But first he did a practice piece. We picked a font, figured out a good way to secure it to a board, and then Chris carved a channel for the copper wire.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T5u-Mp-VuOXbE0Xl-jbg4__TDpmpxHYveu-8o9gGnpXpxM7eK2rEqSwracvTdHNkBm8Fwiq1nFrDnZQXRHI6QQL0zujpgv6x87_b_-_i-SiJY9S98svukC2ukY-9sN9JE2BAMnHD2W8/s1600/fl2.jpg) |
The practice N. There is wire in the middle channel |
Once the practice piece came out good, he had to carve the N into the finished floor. Very nervous making.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMffK3HyFZX5WBrPFXNkwmjRmUr0CGOA5lXm-_-MFRc54bSwUu868DipG5gUhi3KyljjkL1jCq8d6zFRAtIuUPkjSqnbIl0K37h0gskwSe_1rNQ8SO1I8YlkqsXKhH2hCFHqu5ocxkWY/s1600/fl3.jpg) |
The template and the practice N |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUf8HRupG-pD12EfIAMqB158-SakCSk_T2hJSkdTH3h_NWPKRut3WxAP_Y3dFvwVJRopLkZ89PRwC6OkLPT7AOXadK6LU_eAzBE808A30rGFWtFFFXaK41Th6QSv8gSoWnE4w8nJxxho/s1600/fl4.jpg) |
Taking a power tool to the new floor (breathe, just breathe) |
After carving the channel, he fit copper wire into it and then hammered it flat(ish). Then he sanded the wire to be flush with the floor. Sanding wire has a cool effect - it makes the wire sort of spread and fully fill the channel.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBbcwYhjBU5WZRn_y9nzhf7_Fi7829892Y3HYalIHXd4m_VkyD-_pfHwPRIyMyr9ZIFE1fnW3X24WH9HKVYaeN9Vtv9Xu7dIemFu6DqSga7fwO-YJchT8SZt5vkOTVyxKoEkuTjUeFHI/s1600/fl5.jpg) |
The flash makes it hard to see the copper |
The effect is subtle but it looks great in real life. The copper just catches the light.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww0RBFXbvk9MwXkXOP6miXLQDcKGc6Xx4QJkcIRk90s8gwYQzGPi3wAwOnS2i71gUlul6INDV-SxmP3t3RX33ktXDsEqdyw39LSK0rDZVhwsVS7bZkunt7GAGEAqfkV1U0OLNGhPfHKw/s1600/f6.jpg) |
No flash - see the N at the top left? |
A couple coats of poly later, the floor is tough enough to wait for Spring weather for the final finish (that stuff stinks - better to wait until we can open windows for ventilation). Up next is the landing wall and built-in dog kennel.
That looks so amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI love the compass on the landing! Spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThank you - we're really pleased with how it turned out.
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