DIY Winter Cardinal: How to Cut and Finish with a Proxxon Bandsaw and Scroll Saw

Cardinals are a favorite symbol of winter and the holidays, and their bold silhouette makes them perfect for woodworking projects. I’ll show you how to create a simple wooden cardinal using Proxxon MICROMOT tools, plus share finishing techniques and creative ways to use your bird once it’s complete.

Supplies and Equipment: 

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP or Proxxon Scroll Saw

• Proxxon Disc Sander

• Proxxon Delta Sander

• Proxxon Pensander

• Cardinal Templates

• ¼”–½” thick wood or MDF blanks

• Wood stain, acrylic paint, or colored pencils for finishing

• Clear sealer (polyurethane, lacquer, or matte spray)

Let’s make a Winter Cardinal:

Step 1: Prepare Your Template

• Print the Cardinal Templates and select your desired size.

• Mount the pattern on blanks. 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. 

  
  
  

Step 2: Cut Shapes 

• Use the bandsaw to cut each shape of the cardinal.

  
  
  

• Alternatively, the cardinal pieces can be cut using the scroll saw.

Step 3: Sanding & Smoothing

• Sand any rough edges of the larger pieces using the disc sander.

  
  
  

• Sand edges of smaller pieces 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. 

  
  
  

• If necessary, use the pen sander for tight spots around the beak and tail.

Step 4: Assembly

• Attach the wing to the body of the cardinal using liquid wood adhesive.

Step 5: Finishing Techniques

Here are a few ways to bring your cardinal to life:

• Natural Look: On wood shapes, apply a light wood stain and seal.

• Painted Cardinal: Use red shade of acrylic paint for the body, black for the mask, and orange for the beak. 

• Rustic Style: Try a dry‑brush technique with red paint over a stained base for a weathered effect.

• Colored Pencil Shading: For a softer, hand‑drawn look, layer colored pencils and seal with clear spray.

Creative Uses for Your Wooden Cardinal

• Christmas Ornaments: Drill a small hole at the top, add ribbon or twine, and hang on your tree.

• Magnets: Attach a strong magnet to the back for a seasonal fridge decoration.

• Wall Art: Mount several cardinals on a wooden plaque for a nature‑inspired display.

• Gift Toppers: Tie one onto a wrapped present for a handmade touch.

• Table Décor: Scatter painted cardinals across a holiday table for a festive centerpiece.

• Floral Spike: Drill a hole in the bottom side of the body to accommodate a ⅛” dowel rod. Cut the dowel rod to desired length, and glue in the hole. The cardinal can be used as an addition to a seasonal centerpiece.

This cardinal project is a wonderful way to practice either bandsaw or scroll saw shaping while creating something seasonal and versatile. Whether you keep the finish natural or go bold with paint, your handmade bird will add charm to your holiday décor—or make a thoughtful gift.

Carole

How to Make a Wooden Ornament on a Lathe

Anytime is a good time to work with Proxxon tools, but the holidays offer exceptional opportunities to make special items. Today I'm sharing how I turned this wooden ornament on the Proxxon Micro Woodturning Lathe.

Supplies and Equipment

• ½" hard wood dowel, 8" to 9" in length
• Small eye screw
• Proxxon Micro Woodturning Lathe
• Proxxon Micro Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Bowl gouge turning tool
• Center square
• Sandpaper in varying grits—100, 150, 220, 320, 400
• Polishing wax

Instructions

1. Using a center square mark the center of the dowel.
   
2. Use an awl to pierce a pilot hole in the center of the dowel.
   
3. Load the unmarked end of the dowel into the chuck on the headstock. 
   
4. Mount the tail stock firmly into the divot that you pierced in Step 2.
   
5. Begin shaping the piece using a bowl gouge.
   
6. While the piece is still intact, but not quit finished, begin the sanding process. While the lathe is turning use progressively finer grits of sandpaper is smooth the piece. I started with 100 grit and moved to 150, 220, 320, and finally, 400.
   
7. Carefully continue to shape the narrow end of the piece alternating with the bowl gouge and sandpaper until the tail piece falls away.
8. Polish with wax while the remaining piece is still in the lathe.
   
9. Remove the piece from the lathe, and cut away the end using the bandsaw.
10. Lightly sand the cut edge on the disc sander, and polish the end with wax.
    
11. Attach a small eye screw to the wide end.

Hang your ornament and enjoy!!

Carole

How to Make Miniature Ornaments from Scrap Wood

It's never too early to begin crafting for Christmas. These miniature ornaments are made from scrap wood, and are an easy beginner project. They're great for tiny trees and for doll house ornaments.

Supplies and Equipment for the Miniature Ornaments

• Scrap wood
• Screw eye
• Patterned paper
• Ribbon
• Tiny jingle bells
• Mod Podge
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115

Instructions for Making the Miniature Ornaments

1. Measure the thickness of the scrap. I used a piece of stair tread, so my blocks are 1" cubes. This will be the size of the cube. Mark cut lines on the scrap wood.
   
2. Use a band saw to cut the blocks.
   
3. Sand the edges on the disc sander.
   
4. With the drill press, drill a pilot hole for the screw eye in the center of one side.
   
5. Cut six squares from the patterned paper slightly smaller than the side of the block. Use Mod Podge to adhere these to the block.
   
6. Add the screw eyes.
7. Decorate the blocks with ribbon and jingle bells.
   

Carole