How to Make a Whimsical Chick with Proxxon Tools

Whimsical and primitive home decor items are great items for a beginner to make using their Proxxon tools. The lines don't have to be perfectly cut. Finish designs allow for wide interpretation. In fact, a bit of irregularity adds to the charms of fanciful decoration. Here's a whimsical chick to get you started.

Supplies and Equipment to Make the Whimsical Chick

• 10" x 4" length ¾" MDF
• 7" x 3½" length ¼" MDF
• 6" length 1/8" dowel rod, cut into twelve ½" pieces
• Gesso
• FolkArt acrylic paints and ColorShift acrylic paints
• Wood glue
• Beads and baubles for decoration
• 6" rat tail cording
• Whimsical Chick pattern
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool and Drill Stand
• Proxxon Delta Sander

Instruction for Making the Whimsical Chick

1. Cut lengths of MDF on the table saw. The ¾" thick piece is for the chick's body, tail, beak, and comb. The ¼" thick piece is for the wing and feet.
   
2. Print the pattern and adhere to the appropriate pieces of MDF. Cover the surface of the MDF with painter's tape. Next, spray the back of the pattern with spray adhesive, and adhere pattern to top of the painter's tape. The spray adhesive holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes for easy removal.
   
3. Use the band saw and scroll saw to cut out the shapes. I like to cut the straight lines on the band saw, and the curves on the scroll saw.

   

   Cutting curves on scroll saw

   

   Cutting straight lines on the band saw

4. Arrange the body, tail, beak, and comb pieces for adding positioning marks for support pegs.
   
5. With the pieces in position, scribe two matching lines on the body and accessory piece. Additionally, mark two holes on the bottom of the body piece and the center top of each foot for the "leg" cords that attach the feet.
   
6. Transfer the markings to the sides of each piece.
   
7. Mark the center of the width.
   
8. The intersections of the positioning marks and center line mark the holes for support pegs.
   
9. Using the professional rotary tool and drill stand, drill 1/8" holes for support pegs and cording to attach the feet.
   
10. Coat all the pieces with gesso.
    
11. When the gesso is dry, paint the pieces in your choice of colors.
    
12. Glue the support pegs into tail, beak, and comb pieces, and attach to body. Glue cording for the legs in place at the bottom of the body and top of the feet.
    
13. After the glue is dry, have fun decorating your whimsical chick. I used a combination of vinyl, paints, and beads on my chick.
    

Carole