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.
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:
- Download and print the Woodpecker Door Knocker templates.
- 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.
- Cut out the woodpecker silhouette and the two pivot pieces using the bandsaw or the scroll saw.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cut the rounded corners on the bandsaw.
- 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.
- Add the hanging hardware to the back of the mounting board.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Position the woodpecker between the pivot supports and secure with a length of 1/8" dowel rod.
- 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.
- Hang you woodpecker door knocker and enjoy!!
.png)
.png)
 |
| Carole |
