How to Make the Perfect Gray Washed Farmhouse Serving Tray

This rustic farmhouse serving tray is a super beginner project, and a great way to learn more about your Proxxon tools. Since this is supposed to have a used and rustic look, blemishes in the wood can add character to the piece. 

Here's the supplies and equipment that you'll need:

• One 1" x 4" x 4' length of pine board
• One 1" x 2" x 6' length of pine board
• Twelve 1¼" finishing nails or brads
• Two No. 8 x 5/8" brass screws and washers
• Two pieces of leather strapping 6" x ½"
• Liquid wood adhesive
• Clamps
• FolkArt Monument Gray Milk Paint
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Chop and Miter Saw KGS 80
• Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon MICRO Press MP 120

Let's make the farmhouse tray:

1. Use the table saw to cut the 1" x 4" board into two 19" lengths. These will make the bottom of the tray.
2. Spread an even layer of glue along one of the boards. Clamp the two boards together making sure that they are lined up.
   
   
   
3. When you tighten the clamps, it's likely that some of the glue will ooze out.
   
   
   
4. Wipe away the excess glue with a damp cloth or baby wipe.
   
   
   
5. Use the miter saw to cut the four side pieces from the 1" x 2" board. You'll need two 19" lengths and two 12½" lengths.
   
   
   
6. Mark three holes on each of the longer side pieces—at 4¾", 9½", 14¼". On the shorter sides mark at 2½", 6 5/8", and 10". The the second hole is NOT centered so you avoid the seam in the tray bottom.
7. Use the bench drill press to drill the pilot holes for the nails. Set the adjustable fence so the holes are 3/8" from the bottom of the side piece.
   
   
    
8. Glue and nail the side pieces in place. Begin with one of the longer pieces. Spread a thin bead of glue along the edge of the tray bottom. Position the side piece, and nail in place. Repeat with the other long side piece, then each of the shorter end pieces.
   
   
   
9. When the glue to thoroughly dry, sand the surfaces. Remember, this is a rustic piece, so don't strive for a glass-like finish—you just don't want to get any splinters :)
10. Finish the tray with a gray wash. You'll want to test the look of a scrap left from the 1" x 2". I thinned my paint with water—4 parts paint to 1 part water. If you want a more solid color, then use less or no water. Working in sections, apply the gray wash with a brush and immediately wipe with a rag. Let dry thoroughly. If you want more pronounced color, add more coats of the gray wash, following the apply/wipe procedure. Hint: I wore a disposal glove on the hand that was doing the wiping. You can use this same wash process with any color, so if gray isn't your choice, select a color you like.
    
    
    
11. Learn how to make these painting pegs to support pieces while painting them and during the drying process.
    
    
    
12. Mark pilot holes for the brass screws holding the leather strapping in place 4" from each end on both of the shorter end pieces. Use the bench drill press to drill these pilot holes.
13. Use the MICRO press to punch a small hole 5/8" from the ends of the leather straps. Attach the leather strapping to the tray with washer between the leather and the screw.
    
    
    
14. Enjoy using your Gray Washed Farmhouse Serving Tray.
    

Carole

How to Make a Simple Display Stand

 When I'm testing out a new pattern I often use MDF for the first prototype. It's less expensive than wasting a great piece of hardwood. That's what I've done for this display stand. 

Supplies and Equipment

• ¼" MDF, Baltic birch plywood, or hardwood
• Display Stand Pattern
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Acrylic paints

Instructions

1. Print the display stand pattern of your choice, and cut two blanks of appropriate size.
   
   
   
2. Tape the blanks together with painter's tape to facilitate cutting both at the same time.
   
   
   
3. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blanks. The painter's tape makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
4. Use the bandsaw or scroll saw to cut out the shape.
   
   
   
5. Sand the edges with the Delta sander. I use the Delta sander mounted in the Precision Vice FMZ.
   
   
   
6. Since this was a prototype, I could stop here, knowing that the design works. But, it seemed that I could still make this a serviceable display stand, so I coated each piece with gesso, and then painted them with acrylic paint. If this were a completed hardwood stand, I would probably opt for a waxed or oiled finish.
   
   
   
7. The final step in making this prototype functional was adding hinges. Problem: even the slimmest nails/screws split the MDF. Solution: I cut two ½" x 2"pieces of aluminum tape for hinges. For a hardwood stand, I would choose tiny brass hinges.
   
   
   
8. So, now I have a functional display stand from a prototype. I know the design works, so I plan to make more using a variety of hardwoods.
   

Carole

How to make a simple puzzle for a young child

 Hi everybody.  

👨👨👧👧👦👧👦

Today let's make a simple wooden puzzle for the young child.  It is easy and can be customized for that child.  I am going to use simple shapes, but you might want to cut out their name as puzzle pieces or something unique for them I will be using Proxxon tools because they are awesome.

I recently obtained a big piece of plywood that they call "blond wood"   I had never seen it before, but it is a nice 1/2" plywood that comes sanded and primed, so it is smooth on both sides and basically ready for whatever you want to make.  The employee at the hardware store told me it was often used for cabinet making so it is top of the line.  Anyhow it was perfect for this project.   I had them cut my 4' x 8' piece in half at the store simply so I could fit it in the car.  I used a circular saw to cut a strip 6" wide that I can use for this and other projects. 

    

At the Proxxon mini bandsaw I cut a piece 12" long to be the base of my puzzle.

 Next, I drew some simple shapes.  This is for a very young child.

I need to cut these shapes out, but first I want to drill some holes where I can insert dowels as handles for the puzzle pieces.  So, I did that with a regular drill with a bit that was the same diameter as my dowels.

Now I want to cut out the pieces, but I don't want to cut inside the pieces, so I used the Proxxon cordless rotary tool with a very small bit and made a tiny opening in the line I am about to cut.   

I will thread the scroll saw blade through that hole and cut out my pieces one by one.  Check out the Proxxon mini scroll saw,  It is a really nice machine with so many practical uses.  

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I use the Proxxon min band saw next to cut my dowels approx 1" long.  Watch your fingers!   Alternately you could use the scroll saw for this.  I glued my dowels in place and let dry well

Everything gets a good sanding using both my OZI/E dlelta sander and my cordless mini belt sander.  These are both great little tools from Proxxon.  I hate sanding but these make it painless.

Meanwhile, I use the proxxon mini table saw to cut a piece of scrap board to 5 x 11" and glue it to the bottom of the base of the puzzle.  This is to keep the pieces from falling through. 

I used Plaid paints to paint my pieces.  I am giving this child extra clues with color as to how to solve this puzzle.  I painted the holes for the pieces the same color as the pieces.  

I didn't like how the dowel pieces looked like they could be a little dangerous so I placed and glued wood beads over them.  This puzzle is done.

Thanks for visiting.  Till next time.....Carol

Country Chic Hen Wall Hanging

 Time for another country chic wall hanging. This time a saucy little hen to brighten your space.

Other Country Chic projects include:

• Country Chic Sheep
• Country Chic Pig
• Country Chic Bird
• Country Chic Chick
• Country Chic Three Cats
• Country Chic Cuts of Pork

Supplies and Equipment

• 8" x 8" x ¼" Baltic birch plywood or hardwood
• Country Chic Hen pattern of choice (6" x 4" or 10" x 8")
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Twine
• Googly eyes
• Hanging hardware
• Acrylic paint
• Liquid wood adhesive

Instructions

1. 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. 
   
   
   
2. Cut out the shapes on the bandsaw or the Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460.
   
   
   
3. Before removing the pattern, mark the holes for hanging the feet.
   
   
   
4. Sand the edges of all the pieces. I use the Delta sander mounted in the Precision Vice FMZ.
   
   
   
5. Use the drill press to drill the holes marked in Step 3. Use a piece of waste wood under the piece to help prevent tear out.
   
   
   
6. Finish the wall hanging by painting the pieces and assembling the hen. Glue the googly eyes, bow, wings and beak to the body with wood adhesive. Use twine to attach the feet to the body. Attach hanging hardware to back of country chic hen.
7. Enjoy!!
   

Carole