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    Vintage Saw Chalk Art for Father’s Day

    Craft Tutorials, Crafting, Father's Day Crafts, Holiday & Seasonal Crafts, Recycled Crafts

    Learn how to make a unique chalk art sign from a vintage hand saw. The quote makes this a perfect gift for Father’s Day.

    To this day, whenever something breaks in my house, I will call my dad for help or advice.

    Because I’ve always been able to count on him to fix things and make things right.

    Flat tires. Crashed computers. Busted appliances. Fights with mom. Even a broken heart, once upon a time.

    Is your dad handy and hands on? Then he will absolutely love this DIY chalk art made from a vintage hand saw. The quote is from Frederick Douglass, and it's perfect for Father's Day. Click for step-by-step instructions for how to make your own.

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    He’s stepped in and fixed them all. Or at least he’s tried. Because that’s what good dads do. They fix things, whether they’re handy men or not. They build strong families and lasting legacies by their presence, love and actions.

    In honor of my dad, my husband, and all the truly great fathers out there, I created some chalk art for Father’s Day on a very unexpected surface.

    Is your dad handy and hands on? Then he will absolutely love this DIY chalk art made from a vintage hand saw. The quote is from Frederick Douglass, and it's perfect for Father's Day. Click for step-by-step instructions for how to make your own.

    Yep, that’s a vintage hand saw, painted and turned into chalk art that is perfect for dad’s man cave, workshop, the garage or his office.

    The words, “It is better to build strong children than it is to repair broken men,” is from Frederick Douglass.

    I ran several quotes about fathers by my husband, and he picked this one. I think it’s a great testament to a father’s most important work.

    Now, let me show you exactly how I made this unique chalk art sign.

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, but I only recommend products and companies I love. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Vintage Saw Chalk Art Supplies

    • vintage hand saw
    • DecoArt American Chalky Finish Paint in Relic
    • Paint brush
    • White chalk
    • Pencil
    • Drawing paper roll or printer paper
    • Sharpie oil paint makers, medium point and fine point
    • sand paper
    • wood stain

    Vintage Saw Chalk Art Instructions

    Is your dad handy and hands on? Then he will absolutely love this DIY chalk art made from a vintage hand saw. The quote is from Frederick Douglass, and it's perfect for Father's Day. Click for step-by-step instructions for how to make your own.

    I thought I might have a hard time finding a vintage hand saw, but turns out they’re more readily available than you’d think.

    Check out yard sales, especially those that list tools for sale, or antique stores or secondhand shops. You should be able to find one for $10 or less.

    Wearing work gloves, I gave the saw blade a good cleaning with TSP and water.

    If you’re planning to stain the handle, I would recommend sanding it at this point, to open up the wood grain.

    Next, I painted the saw blade with two coats of DecoArt Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Relic, a dark gray that mimics the color of a chalkboard.

    I contemplated using actual chalkboard paint, but I really didn’t want to prime. And I was worried about how it would adhere to the metal saw blade. But I know Chalky Finish will stick without chipping and peeling over time.

    Is your dad handy and hands on? Then he will absolutely love this DIY chalk art made from a vintage hand saw. The quote is from Frederick Douglass, and it's perfect for Father's Day. Click for step-by-step instructions for how to make your own.

    This next step was definitely the most challenging of the project. I had to figure out how to fit the quote on the saw and also sketch out the chalk lettering.

    I’ve been trying to learn hand lettering, so I sketched the quote out by hand. (I’m no Dana Tanamachi, as you can see, but I’m learning. And I think most dads, like moms, appreciate the effort you put into a handmade gift. So I won’t apologize for the imperfections.)

    If you want to give chalk lettering a try, I recommend The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering by Valerie McKeehan. She provides lots of font examples, practice projects and helpful tips.

    Try your hand at hand lettering by making this vintage saw chalk art quote sign for Father's Day. It's easier than you think, I promise!

    I made a mockup of my saw on paper and created the layout that way. This also served as my pattern template, as you’ll see later in the instructions.

    If you’re not comfortable with hand lettering, you could print out the design using chalkboard fonts, like these recommended by Nest of Posies. Yellow Bliss Road also has a great collection of chalkboard fonts you can download. You don’t need Photoshop or other fancy programs to use these. They’ll work with your computer’s word processing program.

    Once I was satisfied with my layout, I cut out the template and placed it on my saw.

    I ended up cutting the pattern into smaller pieces so I could tweak placement as I worked.

    Want to know my secret for transferring letters to make a sign? It's a low-cost solution that works as well as transfer paper on multiple surfaces, including wood and metal. If you make chalk art or hand painted wooden signs, you're going to love this trick.

    Want to know my secret for transferring the letters onto the saw blade?

    Just rub a piece of white chalk on the back of your pattern or printout.

    Want to know my secret for transferring letters to make a sign? It's a low-cost solution that works as well as transfer paper on multiple surfaces, including wood and metal. If you make chalk art or hand painted wooden signs, you're going to love this trick.

    Then flip the pattern over and use a pencil to gently trace over the letters. It will leave a chalk outline on the blade.

    It’s such an easy, low-cost solution that works as well as transfer paper on multiple surfaces, including wood and metal. If you make chalk art or hand painted wooden signs, you’re going to love this trick.

    I do find that it makes sense to work in small sections. For this project, I went line by line.

    Is your dad handy and hands on? Then he will absolutely love this DIY chalk art made from a vintage hand saw. The quote is from Frederick Douglass, and it's perfect for Father's Day. Click for step-by-step instructions for how to make your own.

    I just went over the chalk letters with Sharpie oil paint markers to make them permanent. You could also use permanent chalk markers for this, or even a paint brush and white paint, if you have a really steady hand.

    I used two to three coats of the Sharpie paint, just depending on the effect I wanted on the letters.

    Want to know my secret for transferring letters to make a sign? It's a low-cost solution that works as well as transfer paper on multiple surfaces, including wood and metal. If you make chalk art or hand painted wooden signs, you're going to love this trick.

    Once the painted letters have dried, you may need to wipe away the excess chalk with a damp cloth.

    As a finishing touch, I stained the saw handle a dark mahogany.

    Is your dad handy and hands on? Then he will absolutely love this DIY chalk art made from a vintage hand saw. The quote is from Frederick Douglass, and it's perfect for Father's Day. Click for step-by-step instructions for how to make your own.

    To hang the sign, just use two large nails, positioned some of the handle rests on them.

    Since it’s almost Father’s Day, and I’m honoring my dad, I thought you might enjoy seeing some projects he’s helped me with, and also a few of his favorite recipes.

    You could spend hundreds of dollars on a geometric globe pendant light, or you could DIY your own for less than $40.

    DIY Brass Geometric Pendant Light

    Easy Homemade Meatloaf

    Easy Homemade Meatloaf

    Fire Crackers Easy Party Food Recipe

    Spicy Fire Crackers Appetizer

    Filed Under: Craft Tutorials, Crafting, Father's Day Crafts, Holiday & Seasonal Crafts, Recycled Crafts Tagged With: chalkboard sign, creative gift ideas, Father's Day, Father's Day gift ideas, gift ideas, handmade gift, handmade gifts, upcycled crafts

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debra @ Bowl Me Over

      June 22, 2016 at 5:30 pm

      This is so cute Amy – just love this unique idea!! Wanted to pop by to do some extra sharing and let you know you’ll be featured this week on #FoodieFriDIY! Come back and link up another fun DIY!!

      Reply
    2. Frugal Hausfrau

      June 22, 2016 at 12:10 am

      Now this is a fun idea! I love that quote, too. Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday!

      Mollie

      Reply
    3. Carlee

      June 21, 2016 at 1:00 pm

      That is so cute and perfect for my contractor husband and our little helper! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday!

      Reply
    4. Audra @ Renewed Projects

      June 17, 2016 at 10:51 am

      Perfect display item for a great quote.

      Reply
    5. Cindy Eikenberg

      June 17, 2016 at 5:49 am

      Hi Amy! This is just fantastic and what a wonderful gift for Dad! I absolutely love it! Pinned and tweeted! Have a happy Friday and a fabulous weekend!

      Reply
    6. Jennifer

      June 16, 2016 at 1:45 pm

      Beautiful and such an original idea too!

      Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

      Wishing you a lovely day.
      xoxo

      Reply
    7. Marie

      June 15, 2016 at 6:00 pm

      Wow! I absolutely love this idea!! This would be great hanging in the garage or shed. Thanks so much for the tutorial. So excited to make this!

      Reply
    8. Marisa

      June 15, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      I love the look of chalk letters against a dark background! I am really impressed with this project; what a thoughtful and heartfelt gift for Father’s Day! Thanks so much for sharing it with #FamilyJoy Blog Link-Up Party. 🙂

      Reply
    9. Helen

      June 14, 2016 at 8:23 am

      I love this project! Would love to have you share on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party!

      http://www.pleasuresofthenw.com/diy-party-no-9-lets-rock-that-craft-night/

      Reply
    10. Joy@aVintageGreen

      June 13, 2016 at 11:13 pm

      Pinned your Father’s Day themed saw. Great idea, easy to follow tutorial.
      Joy

      Reply
      • Atta Girl Amy

        June 20, 2016 at 9:07 pm

        Thanks so much, Joy. I had a fun time making the project.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Craft Frenzy Friday (June 24) says:
      June 23, 2016 at 8:01 PM

      […] 5.Vintage Saw Chalk Art for Father’s Day at Atta Girl Says […]

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