How to Make the Perfect Perpetual Calendar Using Wood Scraps

 A new year—a new calendar. But, this perpetual calendar will never be out of date. Create it using Proxxon MICROMOT tools and scraps of wood.

Supplies and Tools That You'll Need:

• Seventeen 1½ x 3½" x 1/16" blanks
• One 4" x 6¾" x ¼" blank
• One 6¾" x 3" x ¾" blank
• Four 1/8" or 3/16" x 1" dowel rod pegs
• Liquid wood glue
• Acrylic paint or finishing product of  you choice
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Bench Drill Press TBM 115

Here's how to make the perpetual calendar:

1. Cut boards to size using the table saw. Refer to Perpetual Calendar Templates for sizing.
   
   
   
2. Sand the pieces using the disc sander.
   
   
   
3. Cut the slot in the base piece using the table saw. Adjust the blade height to ~¼". Adjust the angle of the table saw blade to 15°.
   
   
    
4. Remove the blade guard. Yes, I know that is it there for protection, but you won't get a full length cut with it in place. Now is the time to be sure you have no distractions. You need to be even more careful than normal. Snug the right side of the board to the longitudinal stop, and position the stop so that the first cut is centered on the base board. Make the first cut. Using the scale for the longitudinal stop, move the stop 1/8" to the left. Make the second cut. Continue alternately moving the stop and making a cut until the slot is just a pinch wider than ¼". The "pinch" allows the upright support piece to slide easily into the base. This is a side view of the resulting slot.

   

   
   
5. Using the same adjustments on the table saw, cut the corresponding angle at the bottom of  upright support.
6. Use the bandsaw to cut the dowel rod into 1" pegs.
7. Following the placement on the Perpetual Calendar Templates, drill the holes on the upright support for the hanging pegs using the bench drill press. Set the adjustable fence to assure the holes are aligned evenly along the top of the support.

   

   
   
8. Drill the holes on the hang tags. The strip of painter's tape help to align the horizontal center, and the adjustable fence aligns the vertical point.

   

   
   
9. Glue the pegs into the upright support. Set the upright into the base to accurately align the angles to be sure the pegs extend on the front side of the upright. Optionally, glue the upright into the base slot. I chose not to glue it, so the calendar can be disassembled for storage, if desired.
10. Paint or finish the pieces. I used FolkArt Milk paints for the hanging tags, upright support, and base, and vinyl for the lettering.

    

Carole