How to make a cute little plaque using the Proxxon rotary tool with the router base

Hi again, Carol here with a new project.

Today I want to show you how to make a cute little plaque using a couple of Proxxon's nifty tools that I haven't really used much before now.  Introducing Proxxon's professional rotary tool and it's accomplice, Proxxon's router base attachment. This project will show you just how easy these tools are to use and what you can do in just a couple hours.  This is definitely a beginners project.  I have never used the router base attachment on the rotary tool before this project so as a rank beginner I will show you how easy it is.   I think with just a little practice, you, and maybe even I, could make something awesome.

Proxxon professional rotary tool

plus Proxxon's router base attachment and router bits.

To get started let's collect our equipment and supplies:

1.  I used a piece solid  birch wood measuring 1/2" x 7" x 10"  just about the size of a piece of notebook paper.   I had it lying around as a cutoff from a previous project, but if you need to cut a piece to size the  Proxxon mini table saw would make short work of that.

2. Proxxon professional rotary tool equipped with Proxxon's router base attachment and a straight bit.  In the picture above you can see Proxxon has a nice assortment of bits that come as a set.

3. Plaid paints:   I used Bright magenta 20591E,  True Blue 101,  Yellow lemon 226, Concord grape 20595E, Orchid blush 4623, Nutmeg 944, Vivid orange 2904, Light flesh 229, Spring white 430, Bimini blue 2142E, and Shamrock 21479E.

4. Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.

5.  Sealer of your choice,  I used a 2 part resin..

This project actually started with a dream I had a long time ago.  I woke up one morning and was trying to remember what I had dreamt that night because I knew it had been so happy.  All I could remember was I had told someone that I was happy as a pig in peanut butter.   I loved that saying so much I wrote it down and have been saving it for a project.   Well now is the time   I chose the little pig you see in the picture because he does seem to be quite happy and pleased with himself.  🐷

In the next step I added my saying and then using transfer paper I transferred the picture onto my wood.

I adjusted the Proxxon rotary tool in the router base to cut at a depth of about 3/16" and simply followed the lines I had drawn on the wood.  Except when I got to the piggy's face I decreased my depth a little bit so that my lines would be much narrower.  Big fat lines would not work on his little face.  

That was easy and fun too.

Now we paint! Plaid paints are my choice!

I just painted my colors inside the grooves I made with the router.  If the paint gets outside the lines, no worries, the next step will clean it right up.

I used Proxxon's OZI/E delta sander to sand the whole thing.  Sanding removes any stray paint that has gotten onto the plaque.   Be sure to sand the edges and corners to round them over a little bit.

I used a two part resin to finish this but spray sealer would work just as well.  I'm practicing with resin for a future project so stay tuned.  So now the project is complete and ready for the kid's room.   I surely enjoyed making it.The piggy and the sentiment still make me smile.   Till next time, thanks SO much for visiting!.  Thank you Proxxon tools and thank you Plaid paints.   These two companies make me happy as a pig in peanut butter!   Carol 

Wind Chimes Repair

I love how handy my Proxxon Micromot power tools are. They make creating—and repairing—easy. This winter was hard on my wind chimes. In mid-February the wooden support for the chimes cracked, broke, and sent the chimes crashing down.

So, my son and I cut a new support. Well, truth be told, he did the work because he loves these tools as much as I do!! First, we measured the old piece and traced a circle the same size onto a piece of 1/2" wood. Then, he used the Proxxon scroll saw to cut out the circle.

Next, he routed the edges with the hand-held router.

Then, we used the Delta sander to smooth the edges.

The piece was sprayed with a sealant to protect it from the weather. When it was dry, the wind chimes were ready to be restrung. 

I'm so glad that with the help of my Proxxon tools (and my son) I was able to repair these beautiful wind chimes rather than having them end up in the trash heap.

The wind was whipping around today, playing with the wind chimes. Listen to the beautiful music that  they make. 

Carole

Marble Maze

I love to make things for my grand daughters. I used several of my Proxxon tools to make this marble maze for six year old Chloe.

So, let's get started to make a marble run. Here's what you'll need:

Supplies	Proxxon Tools
12" x 6" piece of craft plywood	Scroll saw
36" length of 1/2" square rod	Hand held router
Wood glue	Delta sander
3/4" brads
12" x 6" piece of craft plywood
Marbles

Begin by drawing your desired path on a piece of paper. Sharp turns and tight bends make a more difficult maze, so consider the age of the user when designing the marble path. Next, cut out your pattern, position on the 12" x 6" plywood, and trace the pattern onto the wood.

Using the Proxxon hand held router and a core box router bit, rout out the marble maze path.

Next, use the Proxxon Delta sander to smooth the top of the maze.

Now, working on the reverse side of the maze, measure and mark the placement for the brads. These will help to stabilize the side rails of the maze. With a rotary tool and a 1/32" bit, drill pilot holes for the brads.

Measure and mark the square rod into two 12" and two 5" lengths for the side rails. Cut these on the Proxxon scroll saw.

Put a thin layer of wood glue on the rails and position them in place. When the glue is dry, turn the maze over and tap in the brads. Everyone loves getting to work on my Proxxon projects—even my husband got into the act when attaching the rails!!

All set!! Grab some marbles and try your skills. Here's Chloe's first try with her marble maze.

Carole

Travel Tic-Tac-Toe Game

My son and his family are planning a family vacation soon, and will be traveling with two little ones. I thought a surprise game might help keep them entertained on the long flight. So, I made this tic-tac-toe board using several of my Proxxon tools.

I started by measuring my board to 4" x 4". 

I used the Proxxon scroll saw to cut the board to size.

Next, I sanded the edges and corners with the Proxxon Delta sander.

Next came marking the grids to divide the board into nine squares for tic-tac-toe.

Using the penciled grid as a guide I put the Proxxon handheld router to work.

Last step was to add the playing discs. Now this game is ready for use.

Carole