How to Make the Perfect Wooden Advent Calendar Using Scrap Lumber

 Why wait until the rush of the Christmas season to craft holiday decorations? Make those decor pieces all year long so you can really relax and enjoy them during the season. This advent calendar is a great project for using scrap lumber. I'll share the measurements that I used, but you can adjust them depending on the lumber you are going to use.

Supplies and equipment:

• 14" x 2½" x ¾" board for base
• 6" x 2½" x ¾" board for tree and star shapes
• 4" length 1/8" dowel rod
• Acrylic paints
• Liquid wood glue
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Proxxon Pensander PS 13

Instructions for making the advent calendar:

1. Download and print the Advent Template.
2. Mount the patterns on the 6" wood blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
3. Cut the shapes on the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Measure and mark the bottom center of the tree and star. Mark the star between two of the star points.
   
   
   
5. Set the depth gauge on the drill press.
   
   
   
6. Secure the shape in the machine vise, and mount on the drill press. Set the parallel fence at the drilling point. Use a bit appropriate for the size of the dowel rod, and drill the hole to the preset depth.
   
   
   
7. Leave the depth gauge and parallel fence settings in place for drilling the base.
8. Sand the surfaces of the shapes with the Delta sander. I mount my sander in the Precision Vice FMZ so I can have both hands free to manipulate the piece I'm working on. 
   
   
   
9. Sand the angles on the tree with the pen sander.
   
   
   
10. Measure and mark the holes on the edge on the 14" board. Start by marking the center, the ½" on each side. You now have two holes marked. Do not drill the center mark. Next, working from the marked holes, measure and mark at 1" intervals, ending with six holes on each side of the center mark. this leaves a 1½" border on each side.
    
    
    
11. Sand the surfaces of the base with the Delta sander.
12. Paint and decorate the tree and star with acrylic paints.
    
    
    
13. Glue a 1¾" length of dowel rod in the hole on the bottom of the shapes.
14. Add numbers on the base for the advent countdown. Numbers 1 to 12 on one side, 13 to 24 on the other.

Here are some options to consider:

• Board thicknesses from ½" to 1" will work. The board needs to stand securely on the narrow edge. 
• Using a board 25" in length allows space for all the advent numbers to show on one side of the board.
• Use the wood finish of your choice, e.g., stain, leave in natural, antique wax, paints, etc.
• Vary the height of the tree or star above the base by increasing the length of the dowel rod. 
• Numbers can be added to the base by free hand lettering, stenciling, rub-ons, vinyl adhesive, etc.
  

Carole

How to Make the Perfect Woodpecker Door Knocker to Greet Your Guests

 This woodpecker door knocker is a fun project, and the finished product is sure to be a hit with your clan. This is a good project for stretching and developing your advanced beginner skills. 

Here's a short video of the door knocker in action:

You'll need these supplies and equipment to make the woodpecker door knocker:

• 4" x 10" x ½" wood blank for the mounting board (¾" will also work)
• 4" x 8" x ½" wood blank for the woodpecker and pivot supports
• Three eye screws
• Two 1" screws 
• 2" length 1/8" dowel rod
• 1" length of ¾" dowel rod for knocker pull
• Woodpecker Door Knocker templates
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Liquid wood glue
• Length of twine for manipulating the knocker
• Hanging hardware

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Download and print the Woodpecker Door Knocker templates.
2. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. 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 made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
3. Cut out the woodpecker silhouette and the two pivot pieces using the bandsaw or the scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Use the drill press to drill holes in the pivot supports and the woodpecker as indicated on the templates. For the pivot supports select a drill bit that just accommodates the 1/8" dowel. Aim for a snug fit. For the woodpecker pivot point select a drill bit fractionally larger than the one for the pivot supports so the woodpecker moves freely on the dowel rod. Optionally, you can also drill out the eye—your choice. Set those pieces aside for now.
   
   
   
5. Optionally, round the corners of the mounting board. You can use any round object as a guide. Place the object in a corner and trace the line you want to cut away. Refer to the diagram below.
   
6. Cut the rounded corners on the bandsaw.
   
   
   
7. On the back side of the mounting board measure and mark the placement of the two pivot supports. Measure and mark 5" down from the top and 1½" in from each side. Drill these two holes using a bit appropriate for the 1" screws.
   
   
   
8. Add the hanging hardware to the back of the mounting board. 
9. Lightly mark these placements on the front of the board for positioning the pivot supports. Glue the support to the mounting board. Let the glue dry thoroughly.
   
   
   
10. From the back side of the mounting board extend the holes that you drilled in Step 7 into the pivots glued to the front of the mounting board. Use the flexishaft and a drill bit one size smaller than in Step 7 to drill ½" into the pivots. You can use a piece of painters tape to mark the drill bit for the depth you need to drill. Screw the pivot supports in place with the 1" screws for extra strength.
11. With a fine bit mounted in the flexishaft, drill starter holes for the eye screws. Center two eye screws to the front of the mounting board 2¾" from the top and ¾" from the bottom. Add an eye screw to the fullest part of the woodpecker's chest. 
    

    

    
    
12. Using a center finder, mark the center of the dowel rod. Drill a hole large enough to accommodate your twine all the way through the dowel. 
13. Position the woodpecker between the pivot supports and secure with a length of 1/8" dowel rod.
14. Tie the twine to the top eye screw in the mounting board, then thread it through the eye screw on the woodpecker, under the woodpecker and between the pivot supports, through the bottom eye screw, and finally, thread the twine through the dowel, and secure with a knot. The length of your twine will depend upon where you mount the door knocker and if little folks will be using it.
15. Hang you woodpecker door knocker and enjoy!!
    

Carole

How to Make a Wooden Scarf Buckle Using Proxxon Tools

 I love wearing fashion scarves and pashminas, so this scarf buckle is the perfect accessory. 

Gather these supplies and equipment:

• 1/8" hardwood in length and width to accommodate the buckle size you select
• Scarf Buckle patterns (1½", 2", and 3")
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Pensander PS 13
• Proxxon Delta Sander

Instructions for making the scarf buckle:

1.  Download and print the Scarf Buckle patterns. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape.
   
   
   
2. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
3. Cut the exterior pattern line using the bandsaw.
   
   
   
4. Use the drill press to drill pilot holes for the scroll saw blade.
   
   
   
5. Be sure that the pilot hole is large enough to accommodate the scroll saw blade and its pin.
   
   
   
6. Remove the blade from the scroll saw. Thread the blade through one of the pilot holes. Be sure that the blade is oriented correctly—teeth down.
   
   
   
7. With the buckle blank threaded onto the blade, reattach the lower end of the blade to the scroll saw. 
   
   
   
8. Next, reattach the top end of the blade to the scroll saw.
   
   
   
9. Cut the interior pattern lines using the scroll saw.
   
   
   
10. Sand interior edges with the flexishaft mounted with a sanding drum and the pen sander.
    
    
    
11. Round the outer edges using the Delta sander. I mount my sander in the Precision Vice FMZ so I can have both hands free to manipulate the piece I'm working on. The key to an exceptionally smooth buckle is sanding. Use progressively finer grits of sandpaper from 150 to 400. 
    
    
    
12. Enjoy your fashion-forward scarf buckle!!
    

Carole

Make the Perfect Rabbits and Flowers Spring Decoration Using a Proxxon Scroll Saw

Spring is in the air, and what better way to usher it in than with this rabbits and flowers decoration. This is a great scroll saw project to get comfortable with interior cuts.

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

• Rabbits and Flowers Template
• 8½" x 6½" wood blank
• Acrylic paint or finish of your choice
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw 
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Pensander PS 13 

Instructions:

1. Download and print the Rabbits and Flowers Template. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. 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 made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
2. 
   
   
3. Cut the exterior lines of the pattern using the bandsaw mounted with the scroll saw band. This band is very narrow and capable of extremely tight cuts. Alternatively, these lines can also be cut using the scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Drill pilot holes for the interior cuts using the bench drill press.
   
   
   
5. Thread the scroll saw blade through the pilot holes and cut the interior shapes using the scroll saw.
   
   
   
6. Sand any rough edges. The flexishaft mounted with a sanding drum and the pen sander are perfect for sanding the inner edges and tight spots.
   
   
   
7. Coat the decoration with your choice of finishes. I used two coats of white gesso, then stippled a coat of sage green acrylic paint.
   

Carole

How to Make Custom Wooden Stamps with Proxxon Tools

Take your stamping art to a new level with your own custom wooden stamps made with Proxxon MICROMOT tools.

Supplies and Equipment:

• 1/8" to 1/4" thick wood scraps
• ¾" dowel rod cut to 1½" to 2" lengths
• Liquid wood glue
• Painter's tape
• Wooden Stamps patterns
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw 
• MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF
• Proxxon Pensander PS 13 

Instructions:

1. Print and cut out your choice of Wooden Stamps patterns. Alternatively, you can draw your own patterns. Coloring pages are an excellent source of inspiration.
2. Different wood blanks give a different look to the finished stamped image. Experiment with several—plywood, MDF, solid hardwoods, etc.
3. Mount the pattern on the wood blank. 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 made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
4. Cut shapes using the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
   
   
5. For interior cuts drill a pilot hole for the scroll saw blade using the bench drill press. A piece of waste wood under the blank helps to reduce tear out.
   
   
   
6. Cut interior shapes using the scroll saw. 
   
   
   
7. Sand the edges of the stamps using the flexishaft fitted with a sanding drum.
   
   
   
8. Sand tight areas using the pen sander.
   
   
   
9. Glue the stamp to a length of ¾" dowel rod for the handle.
   
   
   
10. Use acrylic paints or ink pads with the stamps to create unique works of art.
    

Carole