Kirk Cote combines coding with woodworking
LIMESTONE, Maine — Kirk Cote comes from a long line of master carvers, and has been carrying the torch in a way that utilizes technology without removing the human aspect of the craft.
For three years, Cote has been using a computer numeric control machine to transform pieces of wood into art. Though he has created smaller projects for clients in the past, his current, and arguably largest, project to date is the creation of 500 medals for the upcoming Caribou Marathon.
According to Caribou’s Marketing and Events Coordinator Lydia Kieffer, the Caribou Marathon has over 300 applicants, with more people signing up every day.
“We wanted the medal to be in the shape of Maine, while also indicating Caribou’s location,” Kieffer said. “Most people know what the state looks like, but not everyone knows how far north we are.”
The design includes the Caribou Marathon logo, and the particular race associated with the award. Kieffer, along with a race committee, brainstormed ideas for the design as Cote narrowed down the final product.
“I did one design in the shape of Maine with the race logo,” said Cote and then we added a star to show where Caribou was, and then which race they were participating in.”
All in all, the design process lasted a little over a month, according to Cote.
Cote’s father Thomas is a fourth generation master carver, and the CNC machine allows his son to follow in his family’s footsteps.
“I can’t carve because I have severe hand tremors, but this machine lets me do things I would otherwise never be able to do,” the younger Cote said, referring to a $7,000 ShopBot machine that he uses at his home.
“Three years ago, a gentleman was looking for someone to run a CNC machine,” explained Cote. “I’ve always been into computers since the Commodore 64 days in the ‘80s, so it was a natural fit. It didn’t work out with the company, but since leaving I purchased this machine, which is pretty much a robotic router. I program the design into a CAD (computer-aided design) program and then convert that to CNC language, at which point the cutting is done for me.”
Kirk started by making custom cribbage boards, and then branched out into sign work. Recently, he completed a large project for the Northern Maine Brewing Company in Caribou, in which he created a 32- by 32-inch sign along with platters for samples, and trivets for hot cheese.
Looking ahead, Cote would like to branch out and create more signs for local businesses.
“Not a lot of people create signs anymore up here,” Cote said. “I’d also love to do awards for schools, like sports awards. A lot of the ones the schools get now don’t have the sentimental value of a crafted award.”
The CNC machine not only streamlines the creation of wood crafts, but it also expedites the preliminary design process.
“The nice thing is that people don’t have to come up to the shop every step of the way,” Cote said. “With the CAD program I use, I can design a preview, and then email that to the client. Then they can tell me if they like it or want to change a few things. It saves me from wasting wood and makes it much easier if I work with a downstate client. It makes everything that much easier.”
