Baseball Bat Grow Chart

 

I love a great challenge. This challenge was to use one board to make a project. Maybe I took the easy way out? I used one board to make a baseball bat grow chart.

 

 

 

 

I love that the power tool challenge helps me do projects that I don't normally do!

 

 

One Board Challenge Project

I bought a 1x6 (6’) at my local 84 Lumber.

Draw baseball bat pattern on paper

I folded the paper in half to draw and cut out my baseball bat pattern.

Trace pattern on pine board

I transferred the pattern to my pine board with a pencil.

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Cut baseball bat pattern with a jigsaw

It was sooo cold this day. I could barely feel my fingers at the end of this project! I used my Ryobi jigsaw to cut out the baseball bat pattern.

Clamp board for easier cutting

As I worked my way around the board I clamped it with a quick clamp.

Move jigsaw slowly around corners

This is a close-up as I finished the long sides and across the top. Slow and steady is the best way to use a jigsaw. Good blades also make the difference. I used  Bosch Jigsaw Blades for this project.

 

It’s okay if you don’t stay perfectly on the pencil line. The sander will make everything turn out okay—promise!

Sand baseball bat grow chart

Using an orbital sander with 150 grit sandpaper really made this project come together. I was able to smooth out rough places on the sides, top and bottom. It really worked well on the rounded bottom and the very top.

 

I like to run the orbital sander along the edge of my projects to give them a softer touch. First I had to place a sheet on the table because as I was sanding the paint from the table was transferring to the opposite side of the board. I sanded the board all over with 150 grit, then changed to 220 grit to really get a nice feel on the board.

 

Use sanding sponge for a fine finish

A sanding sponge works great around the tight corners along the baseball bat handle.

 

See the difference? I told you it would be better after sanding.

 

 

This is the final sanded project. At this point I HAD to go into the basement shop. It was so cold outside!

Mark measurements on grow chart

Planning out the project in my head, I decided that I would score the measurement lines of the grow chart, sort of as though they were routed. I didn’t dare try to actually route the lines and mess up my pretty board. I used a pencil and a nail set after marking all the lines with my self centering tape measure .

Paint grow chart

On small projects I prefer to use a small foam paint roller—it gives great coverage quickly with no brush strokes.

Mark hash marks with paint pen

I used a medium tip red paint pen to mark all the inch marks. I made several different size marks, using a paint stick to keep the lines straight.

Adhere number stickers to grow chart

I made some 2” numbers on my Silhouette Portrait . I drew rectangles around them because I couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to use the positive part or maybe use the negative portion as a stencil. In the end, I chose the easier route and used the vinyl numbers.

Use baseball stickers to mark child's height

I found these baseball stickers at Hobby Lobby and thought they were perfect for marking the dates with a sharpie. Some similar stickers are available on Amazon.

Hang grow chart 2 feet off the floor

I love it! My nephew has played baseball his entire life. Maybe you saw the baseball wreath I helped him make? He and his wife have a baby girl Shelby, she’s the one I made the headband organizer for. Maybe they will want this project to keep up with Shelby’s growth spurts.

 

I made a few growth charts years ago, in addition to a pre-made growth chart that I stained if the baseball bat growth chart isn’t your style.

 

 

In case you don’t know, this baseball growth chart should be hung 2 feet off the floor.

 

It’s hanging here with one of my nephew’s old baseball bats. He was #11. The vintage croquet set belonged to my late Aunt Polly.

 

 

 

Pin it!

This is just one of the great projects that you’ll find from the Power Tool Challenge team. Be sure to check out all the other great ideas below. (I post early in the morning-the projects below will go live about 11 am EST. I apologize for any inconvenience.)

 

Create and Babble - How to Make Simple Wood Frames

The DIY Village - Bottle Vase Holder

Designed Decor - Faux Tin Tiles

H2OBungalow - DIY Large Wood Name Cut Out

The Kim Six Fix - Easy Umbrella Stand

My Repurposed Life - Baseball Grow Chart

Just The Woods - How to Build a Tobacco Kiln for Curing Tobacco

So many unique projects from my friends! Which one will you make?

gail