How to Make a Rustic Lantern

This rustic lantern is a great project for a beginning work worker—and it uses those scraps that an experienced work worker accumulates. Just by changing the final finish on this rustic lantern, it fits with any home decor.

Supplies for Making the Rustic Lantern

• Scrap lumber or MDF (I used ¾" MDF for my lantern.) to yield the following pieces:
• Two 4" x 4" x ¾" squares
• One 2¾" x 2¾" x ¾" square
• One ¾" x ¾" x ¾"square
• Four 8" x ¾" x ¾" columns
• Eight 2" x ¾" x ¾" cross pieces
• Clamps
• Wood glue
• Bronze spray paint
• FolkArt Painted Finished Dark Rust Acrylic paint

Equipment for Making the Rustic Lantern

• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E

Instructions for Making the Rustic Lantern

1. Cut the two 4" squares and 2¾" square for the base and top of the lantern on the table saw. 

   

   The blade guard was removed for the photo. Always cut with the guard in place.

2. Cut seven ¾" columns on the table saw with the longitudinal stop set for ¾" cuts. 

   

   The blade guard was removed for the photo. Always cut with the guard in place.

3. Use the band saw to cut down three of the columns into 2" lengths for the cross pieces and the ¾" finial.
   
4. These are the lantern pieces ready to assemble. Now would be the time to sand any rough areas using either the Delta sander or the disc sander. Since I used MDF, I didn't need to do any sanding.
   
5. Begin assembling the lantern by gluing two columns and two cross pieces to form a frame. Make a second frame with the remaining columns and two more cross pieces. Clamp the frames until the glue dries.
   
6. Glue and clamp the remaining four cross pieces in place to join the two frames.
7. Assemble the top of the lantern:
1. Measure and mark one of the 4" squares for the placement of the 2¾" square. You will need 5/8" allowance on each side of the 4" square.
   
2. Measure and mark the center of the 2¾" square for the placement of the finial.
3. Glue the 2¾" square to the 4" square, and glue the finial to the center of the 2¾" square. 
8. Glue the lantern to the remaining 4" square base. Then, glue the top on the lantern.
   
9. When the glue is dry, spray the lantern with bronze spray paint. allow the paint to dry thoroughly before adding the Painted Finishes coat.
   
10. Use FolkArt Painted Finishes Dark Rust as the final coat. This adds the texture of rusted metal as well as adding color.

FolkArt Rust Painted Finishes acrylic paint

Texture of the Rust Painted Finishes

Be safe. Only use a real candle for display purposes. Enjoy your rustic lantern with a battery operated candle.