Pride Flag

This project's goal was to create a rustic pride flag. I utilized colored stains and shou sugi ban to accomplish the rustic effect I was aiming for. I took few photos during but believe the process is simple enough to explain with the limited photographic documentation I have.

-Qty. 1 - 2"x12"x10' Premium Pine (I chose to avoid knots)
-Qty. 7 - Foam Brushes (or 1 if you're ready to clean them)

-Rainbow set of stains (see images for the specifics I used)

-Blow Torch

-Staple Gun

-1.25" staples (I used 18 Gauge)

It's really as simple as the step title indicates, but I have dimensions you can use as a reference

-Cross cut the 1"x12" into 18" length pieces, you need 2 to make 1 complete flag

-Sand each 18" piece to 150 grit

-Rip the 18" sections into 1 7/8" widths to create the stave (each stave will be 1 color)

-Burn the staves with a blow torch to add a rustic look (how dark is up to you)

-A note about adding the color effect with the blowtorch: It's a blowtorch and sets things on fire so please use at your own risk/discretion. I do it in an outdoor area on my driveway to limit the risk of fire. Once burnt you must use a stiff bristle brush to remove loose carbon matter from the burning process. If you do not as you stain it will pick up this dust and leave unstained portions (don't ask how I know).

Next, using the rainbow array of stain colors (I only just learned these existed!) stain 1 stave of each color. I chose to use a foam brush for each individual color but you can save money by washing and reusing!

For this step I used my staple gun and some 18 gauge staples to assemble the flag. I used the left over staves to create both the strips which hold each stave and the perpendicular pieces which will be used to hang the flag. Two staples in each seems to hold well. I did not use glue as I wanted to allow for wood movement and well...it's wall art...do you think it needs glue? Let me know your thoughts!

With the entire flag assembled it is time to coat with polyurethane. I used water based poly as oil based tends to yellow over time and is generally easier to apply. I always do at least three coats and this was applied to front, back and sides.

Congratulations you now know what is required to display your pride and wood working skills! I always believe in being forthright with mistakes I made and what I would do differently in the future to make the process more efficient.

1. I would burn color into the 18" pieces before ripping them to width. It is just fewer pieces to manipulate.
2. I might add a third stave to the middle. I've had this for about a year and during the dry of winter some staves ended up having a gap about half a penny width. It still looked good, but not as good as when they were first done. Now that it is summer, however, they have returned to no gaps...wood will be wood I suppose.
3. I MIGHT stain the entire 18" piece before ripping. If the piece is ripped with the stained side up it will reduce the likely hood of tear out, but I've yet to try...if any of you do please let me know!

Thank you for taking the time to read this instructable!