adding realism

M14MSgt · July 29, 2009, 10:03 AM

Not sure where this post belonged...but had a question.

I want to add some "realism" to some WW2 road signs for a living history display. My goal is to take them out to my local firing range and put a couple
.30-06 rounds through them so they look a bit "war-torn". Anyone think they will shatter into a few hundred pieces? I only want a couple bullet holes...not splintered wood.

PhilA · July 30, 2009, 04:05 PM

Depends on what kind of wood you've made them from, really. Softer woods like pine will splinter worse than harder woods like oak or maple.

I'm thinking to be safe, you follow the same technique you would if you were drilling holes where you don't want splinters at the exit holes. Clamp the signs tightly to another piece of wood, then shoot your holes in it that way. The pressure between the two boards will minimize the size of your exit holes on the signs.

As always, do some tests with scrap wood first (the same wood you make your signs from).

Good luck.

Jim243 · July 31, 2009, 06:53 AM

Just a suggestion, an electric drill is more controllable.

PhilA · July 31, 2009, 07:34 PM

Yeah, but then it would LOOK like a drill made the holes, destroying the authentic look he's going for.

July 29, 2009, 10:03 AM	#1
M14MSgt Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2007 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 105	adding realism Not sure where this post belonged...but had a question. I want to add some "realism" to some WW2 road signs for a living history display. My goal is to take them out to my local firing range and put a couple .30-06 rounds through them so they look a bit "war-torn". Anyone think they will shatter into a few hundred pieces? I only want a couple bullet holes...not splintered wood.

July 30, 2009, 04:05 PM	#2
PhilA Member Join Date: July 12, 2007 Posts: 57	Depends on what kind of wood you've made them from, really. Softer woods like pine will splinter worse than harder woods like oak or maple. I'm thinking to be safe, you follow the same technique you would if you were drilling holes where you don't want splinters at the exit holes. Clamp the signs tightly to another piece of wood, then shoot your holes in it that way. The pressure between the two boards will minimize the size of your exit holes on the signs. As always, do some tests with scrap wood first (the same wood you make your signs from). Good luck.

July 31, 2009, 06:53 AM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Just a suggestion, an electric drill is more controllable.

July 31, 2009, 07:34 PM	#4
PhilA Member Join Date: July 12, 2007 Posts: 57	Yeah, but then it would LOOK like a drill made the holes, destroying the authentic look he's going for.