Crafting a Cedar Wood Stove Cover: A Christmas Surprise
Here’s what I call a “labor of love,” and it began with a hint from my wife, Niki. She spotted a wood stove cover on eBay, but it was just cheap, stained pine with a vinyl sticker for the design. That just wouldn’t do for my Niki, especially not for Christmas. I knew I could make something much better, something with real character, something truly special: a cedar wood stove cover.
The project started with a trip to the lumber yard for beautiful cedar planks and boards. I love working with cedar; it smells amazing and has a gorgeous grain. Back in the workshop, I meticulously glued up the planks and boards, creating a solid surface for the cover. Then came the sanding – lots of it! I wanted that surface to be buttery smooth, ready for the intricate design I had in mind.
The Wood Stove Cover Design & the Dremel
Now, for the “sticker” part that Niki saw on eBay – I knew I had to elevate that. I use Adobe Illustrator quite a bit, so I designed a custom pattern, something that would really stand out on the cedar. Once I finalized the design, I printed it out full-sized. Then, the old-school technique came into play: I transferred the design onto the cedar with graphite. It’s a bit time-consuming, but it ensures accuracy.
With the design perfectly transferred, I grabbed my trusty Dremel tool. This is where the magic happens. Carefully, I began to cut the intricate design into the cedar. It requires a steady hand and a lot of patience, but watching the design emerge from the wood is incredibly satisfying. Each cut felt like I was imbuing the cover with a little more love and care.
The next step was to hit the design with black spray paint– this step makes the letters and design pop. After it dries, I hit it again with the orbital sander to remove the surface paint and give it a smooth finish.
Finally, a couple of tung oil treatments to bring out that beautiful red cedar. Chef’s Kiss!
The Big Reveal and Future Plans
The finished cedar wood stove cover was everything I hoped for and more. The natural beauty of the cedar, combined with the detailed Dremel work, created a piece that was not only functional but also a true work of art. When Niki unwrapped it on Christmas morning, her reaction was priceless. Partly because I acted like I didn’t remember that she asked for this thing on Ebay, and figured she was getting another toaster.She was absolutely thrilled, and that’s the best reward for any “labor of love.” It’s moments like these that make all the sawdust and effort completely worth it.
