Dala horse

Readers’ Projects, Issue 40

I made this Dala horse in the style of the iconic Swedish horse as a Christmas gift for our first grandchild. I shaped the body out of a 3 pounds blue dock foam. I then covered the model with 3 1/2 oz crow-foot fiberglass cloth cut on the bias. I used WEST SYSTEM Epoxy and fairing fillers.

The body of the horse was primed and painted with acrylic water-based paint. The rockers are varnished fir. The horse is very lightweight and strong. When she isn’t riding it, our granddaughter enjoys pushing her horse around the house.

Dala horse under construction

The Dala horse under construction.

Gougeon aboard VOYAGER

Meade Gougeon, 75, completed the Everglades Challenge-a grueling race from St. Petersburg to Key Largo, Florida-on March 5, 2014. Meade sailed solo onboard his outrigger sailing canoe VOYAGER, crossing325 miles in 4 days and 8 hours. He slept aboard his vessel and came in first in the Sailing Canoe class. Meade is one of the founders of Gougeon Brothers, Inc. in Bay City, Michigan, the manufacturer of WEST SYSTEM Epoxy.

Randy Mortensen’s strip planked cooler was built with cedar and redwood. He used 105 Epoxy Resin, 207 Special Clear Hardener, and one layer of 4 oz fiberglass cloth.

The top of Randy’s cooler is finished with 4 coats of spar varnish. Randy is an avid camper, hunter, and fisherman who will no doubt get a lot of use out of his creation.

A conductor’s podium for the local high school band was built by Jeff Andrews. It has two levels for either an 8″ or 12 3/4″ rise. In addition to the laminated curves, WEST SYSTEM Epoxy was used to glue the trim and handrail laminates,