HOW WE DIY OUR WOODEN AMERICAN FLAGS

Our Step-by-Step Process to crafting a Wood Pallet American Flag

Rustic, handcrafted, customizable, family-owned, and operated business, better known as Old Glory Rustic Sign Company. Old Glory Rustic Sign Company proudly represents the United States of America through its handcrafted wooden American flags.

diy wooden american flag

STEP 1 Choosing the DIY Wooden American Flag Dimensions

Fulfilling a custom flag order is a challenging task. After a customer has chosen a size; small, medium, or large, and the foundation for the flag; char, natural, or red, white, and blue, the process may begin.

The process starts with a United States of America-manufactured 1" x12" Select Pine. We have three distinct size boards we use for the three sizes of flags. 1" boards are for the 13" x 24" flag, 1 ½" boards is for the 19 ½" x 37" flag, and the 2" boards are for the 26" x 48" flags. The process starts with cutting the pine boards to the length of the flag, either 24", 37" or 48".

STEP 2 Ripping the boards to width for the wooden American flag

After the boards are cut to length, we then rip the boards to width. Ripping wood means feeding the material along the grain of the wood through the blade to cut the length of the wood. A step often overlooked in ripping the boards down has a perfectly straight edge. To achieve the straight edge, we use a jointer. A wood jointer is a woodworking tool that makes a flat wood board not have a twist, bow, or cup defect. Instead, it derives its name from its function of providing flat surfaces on boards that you join together to produce even wider boards.

Once the pine boards are cut to length and have a perfectly straight edge, we start the ripping process using a table saw. Next, we set the fence of the saw to the predetermined width of the boards, either 1", 1 ½", or 2". Because we produce such a high-volume number of flags, we spend hours cutting wood to have various boards to choose from when fulfilling a customer order. It is crucial in the design development that each flag uses handpicked Pinewood. This ensures that the wood's quality is aligned with the design. Each piece of wood is carefully mapped out so that the thirteen stripes flow fluidly into one another.

Once the wood is arranged, and we are happy with the way each board flows together, i.e., knots not next to each other, no knots in the union...we number each board from 1 to 13. The 13 stripes are numbered because we know how to glue the flag together. We then send all 13 stripes through a drum sander to make the boards even and smooth. Finally, we further sand the pine boards removing any imperfections the drum sander misses.

STEP 3 Staining Process

After the boards have been sanded and cleaned, removing all dust, we start the staining process. We use a custom blended proprietary mix for the stain. All colors are durable for both interior and exterior use. Due to the high quality of the stain, twenty-four hours is required for the wood to dry properly. This ensures that we stay within one color to the next. Instead, we use stain and not paint that the stain, when charred, will show the wood grain, and the paint will burn and melt, not allowing the wood grain to show.

STEP 4 Glue the wood together for the DIY flag

When the stain has dried, we glue the flags together using top-of-the-line interior/exterior glue to secure each piece of wood carefully in place. This is where the need for an absolute straight edge is crucial. If we do not have a straight edge, all thirteen stripes glued together can become very weak and less durable.

We designed a table system that allows us to perfect the gluing and drying process by wedging the flags instead of clamping. We leave the flag on the custom glue table for 30 to 45 minutes to dry. It is essential that the glue squeezed out from the wedging process is cleaned immediately. If we miss cleaning any glue, when the flag is charred, it will show an unappealing glue mark that is very dark in color. After the flag is dried and set up, to ensure the flag's durability and longevity, we use extra support in the form of 1" x 3" pine board that we staple and glue on the back of the flag.

STEP 5 Engrave stars into the Union

After the flag has taken shape, we start the process of engraving the stars into the Union. When I first started, I used a Dremel tool to engrave each star. If you are making one or two flags, a Dremel works fine; however, if you make many flags, the Dremel tool takes a toll on your forearm and wrist. As we started to grow, the need for a CNC (computer numerical control) router was necessary. This CNC router engraves each of the 50 stars perfectly with a consistent depth and sharp points on the star. Having the CNC router at our disposal allows us to do any custom engraving and designs in addition to the 50 stars.

Development of our technique for the perfect Char for the DIY Wooden American Flags

Over the years, many techniques and torches have been learned and used to create the perfect char. We have used anything from a weed burner to a plumber's torch. The perfect distance from the flag, the pressure and length of the flame, and the rate at which to move the torch are all skills that have been mastered over time. Due to the characteristics of each board, when charred, the wood grain pops and brings out the uniqueness of each stripe, making it a one-of-a-kind piece of art. My biggest piece of advice when charring a flag is to take your time and continue moving the torch.

Finishes for our Wooden American Flag

Old Glory Rustic Sign Company values the customer's hopes and dreams for their flag. Therefore, we offer one of the following finishes: gloss, satin, or matte. Using a high-pressure, low-volume sprayer, or HVLP for short, a minimum of 3 coats of varnish is applied to each side. HVLP spray guns dispense finishes at high volume and low pressure (HVLP), which results in less overspray and, when used properly, a finer finish. This creates a beautiful finish on each flag that lasts a lifetime when properly cared for.

STEP 6 Packaging your wooden American Flag ready for shipping

Adhering to our goal of each flag being very versatile for the customer, heavy-duty picture wire and D-rings are attached to the back. So why have only one display option when you can have many?

The last step in the process of developing custom flags for our customers is the packaging and delivery. Each flag is hand wrapped with extra thick bubble wrap, foam corners, and custom-made boxes to maximize delivery satisfaction.

Some people might not know this, but an American flag can also be made from a wood pallet. A wood pallet is perfect for this project because it is easy to find and usually free. Plus, using a pallet will give your flag a rustic look.

Creating an American Flag from a Wood Pallet

A wood pallet can make a great addition to your decor, and this rustic American flag is the perfect way to show patriotism.

The process is relatively simple and only requires a few tools and materials:

The wood pallet is dismantled, and the wood is cut into strips of the correct proportions for an American flag.
The strips are sanded, stained, or painted in traditional red, white, and blue colors.
The strips are reassembled into the shape of a flag and hung from a pole or another piece of wood.

With time and effort, anyone can create a beautiful and unique American flag from a wood pallet.

The symbolism of the Wooden Pallet American Flag

The wooden pallet American flag is more than just an attractive piece of decor; it also holds deep symbolic meaning. The unique design of the wooden pallet flag pays homage to the pioneering spirit of early Americans who crafted their own furniture out of recycled wood pallets. It also symbolizes strength and resilience; just like the original 13 colonies, these flags are built to last through any hardship they may face. And finally, it stands for freedom; no matter what life throws at us, our country will remain strong and free thanks to those who fought for independence many years ago.

History Behind the Symbolism

The wooden pallet American flag isn’t just about modern-day symbolism; it also has a rich history. During World War II, soldiers used wood pallets to transport supplies between countries due to their strength and durability. As such, many veterans have adopted these types of flags as a tribute to those who served during that time period. In addition, many people choose this type of flag to remember those who lost their lives fighting for our country throughout American history.

The Benefits of Using a Wood Pallet for a Rustic American Flag

Nothing says “American pride” quite like a rustic wooden American flag! The use of wood pallets to create an American flag has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for a good reason. Not only do these flags look great, but they are also easy to make and can last for many years with proper care.

Durability: Wood pallets are extremely durable and resistant to damage caused by water or other elements. This makes them ideal for outdoor flags, as they can withstand weather conditions without fading or warping. Plus, if you use high-quality wood such as cedar or redwood, your flag will keep its vibrant color even with prolonged exposure to the sun.

Ease of Use: Wood pallets are relatively easy to work with and require minimal tools and supplies. You don’t need special skills or experience; you only need basic DIY know-how and a few simple tools such as saws and hammers. With just a few cuts and some sanding, you can turn ordinary wood into an eye-catching work of art that proudly displays your love for America.

Customization Options: One of the best things about using wood pallets is that you can customize them however you want! From painting it in traditional red, white, and blue colors to adding your own unique touches such as stars or stripes, there’s no limit to what you can do with your flag design. You can even add personalized messages or symbols that reflect your individual style or interests.

Creating an American flag out of wood pallets is a great way to show off your patriotism while also creating something beautiful that lasts for many years with proper care. Not only are these flags durable and easy to make, but they also offer plenty of customization options to make them uniquely yours! So if you’re looking for an interesting project that will show off your love for America in style, consider making your own rustic wooden American flag today!

wood pallet american flag

Old Glory Rustic Sign Company takes immense pride in designing, executing, and delivering top-of-the-line American flags. We thank you sincerely for your support of our small business. God Bless America.