DIY Long-Handled Pierced Wooden Spatula with Proxxon Tools

Wooden spoons and spatulas are timeless kitchen essentials, and crafting your own adds a personal touch to every stir and scoop. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a long-handled pierced wooden spatula using Proxxon MICROMOT tools—perfect for draining, stirring, and serving. This project is beginner-friendly and ideal for small-scale woodworking enthusiasts. A downloadable pattern is included to help you trace and cut the spatula shape with ease.

Materials & Tools

• Hardwood blank (maple, cherry, or walnut recommended), approx. 3" × 15" × ¼” to ¾"

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115

• Proxxon Delta sander

• Long Handled Spatula Template

• Painter’s tape

• Sandpaper (grits 120, 220, 400)

• Food-safe finish (mineral oil, beeswax, or walnut oil)

Step 1: Prepare and Trace the spatula Pattern

• Download and print the spatula pattern at full scale.

• Mount the pattern on blanks. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue. 

  
  
  

Step 2: Cut the Profile with the Bandsaw

• Use the Proxxon bandsaw to cut the outer profile of the spatula.

• Leave the pierced holes untouched for now.

  
  
  

Step 3: Drill the Pierced Holes Using the Bench Drill Press

• Select the drill bit of your choice to match the size holes you want. I used a 4mm bit.

  
  
   

• Smooth the interior edges of the holes with a needle file, or a slender tube of sandpaper.

Step 4: Shape and Refine

• Use the Proxxon Delta sander to round the edges of the spatula and refine the handle’s contours.

• Sand the entire surface, starting with 120 grit and progressing to 400 grit for a silky finish.

Step 5: Apply a Food-Safe Finish

• Wipe the spatula clean of dust.

• Apply your chosen food-safe finish (mineral oil, beeswax, or walnut oil) with a soft cloth.

• Let it soak in for a few hours, then buff with a clean cloth.

Creative Variations

• Adjust the dimension of the spatula to meet your needs—shorten the handle, use a wider blank.

• Add a hanging hole at the end of the handle for easy storage.

• Add a decorative twist by woodburning initials or a small motif on the handle.

This pierced wooden spatula is a satisfying project that blends function with beauty. With Proxxon MICROMOT tools, you can achieve clean cuts and smooth finishes even on small-scale pieces. Whether you’re making one for your own kitchen or as a handmade gift, this spatula is sure to stir up joy.

Make Your Own Gnocchi Board with Proxxon MICROMOT Tools

Homemade gnocchi deserves a proper gnocchi board, and making one yourself adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the cooking process. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to craft a gnocchi board out of 1/4" maple using versatile the Proxxon tools. The MICRO Mill MF70 is perfect for the precise grooves. The result is a beautiful, functional kitchen tool that will last for years.

Materials and Tools:

• 1/4" thick maple board (approx. 3" × 7" or 8" is ideal for a gnocchi board)

• Proxxon Table Saw FET

• Proxxon MICRO Mill MF70

• Proxxon scroll saw

• Sandpaper (grits 120, 220, 400)

• Pencil and ruler

• Food‑safe mineral oil or beeswax finish

Let's make a gnocchi board:

Step 1: Prepare Your Maple Blank
Use the table saw to cut your maple board to size—3" wide and 7" or 8" long works well. Mark the centerline where the first grooves will be milled. Leave about ½" on each side.

Step 2: Mill the Grooves with the MF70
 Practice cutting the grooves on a scrap blank until you're happy with the result. Record the revolutions used for each axis. Mark the centerline on your maple blank. When you're ready to begin your gnocchi board, secure the maple blank firmly with clamps on the MF70’s worktable. Using a small end mill bit (around 3mm), set the depth to about 2mm. Mill parallel grooves across the board’s face, spacing them about 2mm apart. Work slowly and steadily—precision is key for even ridges that give gnocchi their classic texture. Begin milling the first groove at the marked centerline. Mill grooves to the left and right of the centerline to complete the gnocchi board. 

Use the hand wheels on  the X, Y, and Z axes for accuracy. Each hand wheel has zero adjustable scales: 1 revolution = 3/64" (1mm), 1 division = .002" (.05mm). 

Step 3: Cut the Draw and Cut a Handle Outline a handle at the top of the blank. Use bandsaw or scroll saw to cut along the pencil line to create a handle. This makes the board easy to hold while rolling gnocchi. Optionally, you can drill a hole for hanging the gnocchi board in the top center of the handle.

Step 4: Sand and Finish
Sand the entire board, starting with 120 grit and working up to 400 grit for a silky finish. Pay special attention to the grooves—a piece of folded sandpaper works to smooth them out. Apply a food‑safe finish like mineral oil to protect the wood and highlight the maple’s natural beauty.

Step 5: Test Your Board
Roll a piece of gnocchi dough across the grooves. You should see neat ridges that help sauce cling to the pasta.
Enjoy your handmade gnocchi board in the kitchen—it’s both functional and a conversation piece!

Variations & Creative Twists

• Try different woods like cherry or walnut for a richer look. Be sure that the hardwood you select is food safe—some exotic woods are not. 
• Add a grip hole rather than a handle.
• Personalize the board with a wood burned design or initials.

Carole

Handmade Fern Leaf Phone Stand Step by Step Using Proxxon Tools

This decorative yet functional phone stand combines a delicate fern leaf cutout with a sturdy base and cable access. The build uses a Proxxon scroll saw for the detailed leaf, a bandsaw for rough shaping, and a pensander for smoothing and crisping edges. The downloadable pattern for the stand is included with this post so you can trace and cut directly from the template.

Material and Equipment:

• 3/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick wood blank
• Painter’s tape
• Spray adhesive
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Scroll Saw
• Proxxon Pensander
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Fern Phone Stand ¼"
• Fern Phone Stand 3/8"

Let's Make a Fern Phone Stand:

Prepare the Template

• Download and print the phone stand template that matches the thickness of your wood. Print at 100% and verify the scale box. The template also includes an alternate frond design and a blank phone stand back.
• Mount the pattern on blanks. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue. 
  
  
  

Cut the Shapes

• Cut the exterior shapes of the phone stand using the bandsaw.
  
  
  
• Use the bench drill press to drill pilot holes for the scroll saw blade in the interior shapes. 
  
  
  
• Cut the interior design using the scroll saw.
  
  
  

Sanding

• Smooth exterior edges with the Delta sander.
• Use the pensander to smooth the interior edges of the fern.
  
  
  

Finishing

• Select your finishing option—natural oil finish, polyurethane, acrylic paints, stain and varnish, etc.
• Use a small brush to work the finish into the cutout areas.

Carole

DIY Winter Cardinal: How to Cut and Finish with a Proxxon Bandsaw and Scroll Saw

Cardinals are a favorite symbol of winter and the holidays, and their bold silhouette makes them perfect for woodworking projects. I’ll show you how to create a simple wooden cardinal using Proxxon MICROMOT tools, plus share finishing techniques and creative ways to use your bird once it’s complete.

Supplies and Equipment: 

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP or Proxxon Scroll Saw

• Proxxon Disc Sander

• Proxxon Delta Sander

• Proxxon Pensander

• Cardinal Templates

• ¼”–½” thick wood or MDF blanks

• Wood stain, acrylic paint, or colored pencils for finishing

• Clear sealer (polyurethane, lacquer, or matte spray)

Let’s make a Winter Cardinal:

Step 1: Prepare Your Template

• Print the Cardinal Templates and select your desired size.

• Mount the pattern on blanks. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue. 

  
  
  

Step 2: Cut Shapes 

• Use the bandsaw to cut each shape of the cardinal.

  
  
  

• Alternatively, the cardinal pieces can be cut using the scroll saw.

Step 3: Sanding & Smoothing

• Sand any rough edges of the larger pieces using the disc sander.

  
  
  

• Sand edges of smaller pieces using the Delta sander. I mount my sander in the Precision Vice FMZ so I can have both hands free to manipulate the piece I'm working on. 

  
  
  

• If necessary, use the pen sander for tight spots around the beak and tail.

Step 4: Assembly

• Attach the wing to the body of the cardinal using liquid wood adhesive.

Step 5: Finishing Techniques

Here are a few ways to bring your cardinal to life:

• Natural Look: On wood shapes, apply a light wood stain and seal.

• Painted Cardinal: Use red shade of acrylic paint for the body, black for the mask, and orange for the beak. 

• Rustic Style: Try a dry‑brush technique with red paint over a stained base for a weathered effect.

• Colored Pencil Shading: For a softer, hand‑drawn look, layer colored pencils and seal with clear spray.

Creative Uses for Your Wooden Cardinal

• Christmas Ornaments: Drill a small hole at the top, add ribbon or twine, and hang on your tree.

• Magnets: Attach a strong magnet to the back for a seasonal fridge decoration.

• Wall Art: Mount several cardinals on a wooden plaque for a nature‑inspired display.

• Gift Toppers: Tie one onto a wrapped present for a handmade touch.

• Table Décor: Scatter painted cardinals across a holiday table for a festive centerpiece.

• Floral Spike: Drill a hole in the bottom side of the body to accommodate a ⅛” dowel rod. Cut the dowel rod to desired length, and glue in the hole. The cardinal can be used as an addition to a seasonal centerpiece.

This cardinal project is a wonderful way to practice either bandsaw or scroll saw shaping while creating something seasonal and versatile. Whether you keep the finish natural or go bold with paint, your handmade bird will add charm to your holiday décor—or make a thoughtful gift.

Carole

How to Make a Set of Hinged Houses for the Perfect Home Decor Piece

:A sweet, foldable row of miniature wooden houses that stand alone as a mantel accent or fold flat for storage — perfect for seasonal displays or gifting. This tutorial shows how to make a set of hinged houses using the Proxxon MICROMOT system.

Supplies:

• ½" Baltic birch plywood, MDF, or hardwood
• Small jewelry hinges with screws or brads
• Acrylic paint, milk paint, or stain of your choice
• Houses 1-2-3 Template
• Houses 4-5 Template

Equipment:

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw
• Proxxon MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Download and print the Houses 1-2-3 and Houses 4-5 templates.
2. Mount the patterns on blanks. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue. 
   
   
   
3. Cut the exterior lines using the bandsaw.
   
   
   
4. Use the bench drill press to drill pilot holes for the scroll saw blade in the interior shapes. 
   
   
   
5. Cut the interior shapes on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
6. If necessary, sand any rough surfaces.
7. Finish the houses with your choice of acrylic paint or stain.
8. Measure and mark the hinge placement. The lower edge of the bottom hinge should be ¾" from the bottom of the house. The top edge of the top hinge should be 2¾" from the bottom of the house.
   
   
   
9. Mark the hinge holes on the houses. Drill pilot holes for the hinge screws using the flexishaft mounted with an appropriately sized bit.
   

Options and display:

• Folded configuration: Houses nest flat for storage or shipping.

• Standing row: Open hinges so the set forms a zig-zag freestanding vignette. 

• Illumination: Add battery operated tea-lights or LED mini string lights behind the windows for a warm glow.

• Seasonal swaps: Paint holiday themes and interchange tiny accessories (mini wreaths, pumpkins, snow dust).

These hinged houses make delightful gifts or seasonal centerpieces — small in scale, big on charm.

Carole