How to Make the Perfect Toast Tongs from Paint Stir Sticks

I accidentally discovered that toast tongs can be made from paint stir sticks!! Originally, I thought to use the stir sticks to make a prototype before using an exotic hardwood for the toast tongs. But, as the project progressed, I found that the stir sticks could be the final project.

Here's the list of supplies and equipment that I used:

• Two paint stir sticks
• Toast Tongs Template
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E

Steps for making Paint Stir Toast Tongs:

1. Using the Delta sander, remove any lettering on the paint stir sticks.
   
   
   
2. Print the template, and select the size of the tongs you want. The template comes with patterns for 7" and 8" toast tongs.
3. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
4. With the bench drill press drill a pilot hole in the female piece of the tongs for threading the scroll saw blade.
   
   
   
5. Thread the scroll saw blade through the pilot hole, and cut out the rectangle. Cut the notches on the male piece of the toast tongs on the scroll saw.
   
6. If necessary, use the band saw to cut the stir sticks to the appropriate width. Mine were just the right size, so I didn't have to do this.
7. Round the corners at the top and bottom of both pieces on the disc sander.
   
   
   
8. Sand all surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
   
   
9. Treat the finished tongs with a food safe wood oil.
   
10. Now, no more burnt finger when retrieving toast from the toaster!!
    
    
    

Carole