How to make a Swinging Chicken coat hanger

Hi everyone, Carol here.   I have a special project today.   Our neighbor's granddaughter is turning 9 years old and I want to make her something special for her birthday.  

They raise chickens and goats next door so I had a choice.    For this project I chose chickens.   Goats wait your turn.   They have a young grandson as well..   👦 A project featuring goats is likely in the future.  

Let's get started.

Supplies and Equipment:

1" x 2" pine board about 7 feet long

1" x 6" x 18" pine or plywood.  Or (3) pieces of 1" x 6" x 5"

Proxxon mini table saw 

Proxxon mini bandsaw or Proxxon mini scroll saw

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

Proxxon mini drill press and drill bits

(6) straight 3" nails (minus nail heads)

(8) 1 ½" wood screws

Proxxon professional rotary tool with router attachments (optional)

Plaid paints of your choice.

2 small picture hangers

Wood glue

I used the Proxxon Mini table saw to cut my frame pieces to size. 

  I cut 4 pieces of the 1 x 2 to 16" lengths

and 2 pieces 5" long.   I put these aside for now

I free handed a chicken onto a piece of my larger wood.   I wanted her to be about 5" tall and 5" wide  I made sure she had a tail that could act as a " hook"   We need 3 of these

I cut the chickens out using the Proxxon mini band saw.

The next part is optional but recommended and actually kind of fun.

Using the Proxxon professional tool with the router base and chamfer bit I routed around the edges of the chickens to soften their edges. It was a little bit messy but worth it.  

After that I used the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander to smooth the edges even further.

Before and after

Now onto the Proxxon mini drill press

I need a hole in each head and each bottom.    The drill press allows me to make perfect perpendicular holes which is important so that the chickens can swivel.  

We need holes in the frame pieces as well.   Line up the chickens and place the nails in the chicken's head mark where the holes will go.  Then off to the drill press.  The holes in the top and bottom frame pieces will line up exactly.  Drill the holes in the center of the 1" side of the frame piece at your mark.

Ok, we still have 2 long frame pieces.   That is because I forgot that when we turn the chickens to use the hook the wall will prevent their turn.  So... glue the long pieces to the back side of the existing long pieces to make it thicker.  We are going to turn the end pieces on their side to complete the frame...in a little while.

Now take it all apart and paint it.   Plaid makes so many pretty paints.

 

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Now,  put the nails in the ducks and then in the frame and using wood screws put the frame together by securing the sides to the top and bottom.    And it's done.  Don't make it too tight, the chickens need to swivel.

All it needs now is some picture hangers on the back and it is ready to hang.   Hope Emma likes it.

I had fun with this project.   I think just about any animal or whatever might work so long as there is something that can be used as a hook.    Customize it for any kid.

Thanks for visiting.   Thanks also to Proxxon and Plaid for their contributions of tools and paint.

Hope you try this.   Leave me a comment if you can.   Thanks again   Carol

How to Make a Wooden Letter Opener

A lovely letter opener is a graceful addition to any desk. This hardwood letter opener is easy to make and sure to bring satisfaction when using it.

Supplies and Equipment for Making the Letter Opener

• 7" x 1½" x 1/8" hardwood blank
• Pattern of opener shape
• Proxxon Micro Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions for Making the Letter Opener

1. Draw your desired letter opener shape to fit the wood blank.
2. Mount the pattern on the blank. To mount the pattern on the 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 the straight edges on the band saw.
   
4. Cut any curved edges on the scroll saw. 
   
5. Adjust the angle of the table on the disc sander to its lowest position. Sand the edges of the shape to form a tapered edge for slicing open envelopes.
   
6. Sand all surfaces with progressively finer grits of sandpaper using the Delta sander.
   
7. Polish the finished letter opener with paste wax, treat with wood oil, or finish as desired.
   
8. Enjoy!!
   

How to Make a Vacation Album

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today using Proxxon tools to create a customized vacation album.

You can purchase all kinds of albums, but why not create your own?  With assorted Proxxon Tools you can create any type of album you want.

I found this pallet sign.  It's basically layers of compressed chipboard with a layer of melamine on top and I wanted to see how the Band Saw would cut this sign.  Begin by using the Kapro 313 Measure Mate to size out the album.

The Band Saw easily cut through the pallet sign.  There was no shredding or distortion.

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While I didn't need to, I used the Disc Sander to sand the edges of the album.

Use the Bench Drill Press to drill 2 holes in the album.

Paint the covers with FolkArt Acrylic Paint in Blue Echo.  Randomly dry brush on FolkArt Acrylic Paint in Windsor Blue.

Cut assorted pattern papers to fit.

Decorate the front cover with assorted left over elements.  Add Alaska 2019 to the corner.

Thanks for stopping by.

How to Make a Sliding Book End

This sliding book end project to as easy as it is useful. It's a great beginner project for learning more about Proxxon tools.

Supplies and Equipment for the Sliding Book End

• Piece of ¾" Baltic birch plywood, MDF, or hard wood
• Sliding Book End Schematic
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions for the Sliding Book End

1. Determine the size of your finished book end. Mine measures 6" x 6". Cut your board to size on the table saw.
   
2. Transfer measurement from the schematic to the board.
   
3. Cut the slot using either the bandsaw or scroll saw.
   
4. Use a quarter to make the rounded corners.
   
   
   
5. Use the disc sander to round the corners.
   
6. Sand all surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
7. Paint and finish the book end with your choice of finishes. I used FolkArt Ultra Dye.
   
8. You can decorate and embellish the book end, or leave as is. I added a book band book mark.
   

Carole

How to Make a Letter Holder

Who doesn't need a place to organize their mail? This letter holder is a great project for learning to use both the table saw and the band saw.

Supplies and Equipment for the Letter Holder

• 6" x 7" piece of ¼" Baltic birch plywood
• 6" x 7" piece of ½" Baltic birch plywood
• 6" x 8" piece of 1/8" bass wood
• Letter Holder Schematic
• Wood adhesive
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions for the Letter Holder

1. Measure and mark the pattern from the schematic onto the wood pieces.
   
2. Cut the side pieces on the band saw.
   
3. Cut the back piece on the table saw.
   
4. Cut the front slats and bottom on the table saw.
   
5. Sand the edges of the slats and bottom piece on the disc sander.
   
6. Sand all surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
7. Glue the pieces together. Glue the sides to the back, and let it thoroughly dry. Then, glue the front slats and bottom in place.
   
8. Paint and finish the letter holder with your choice of finishes. I used FolkArt Ultra Dye.
   
9. Attach a hanger of your choice to the back of the letter holder. Enjoy!!
   

Carole