Easter Rabbit and Stand Is an Easy Beginner Scroll Saw Project

This cute Easter rabbit with its own stand is a great beginner scroll saw project. 

Here are the supplies that you'll need for your Easter Rabbit and Stand:

• Rabbit and Stand Template
• Wood blank to fit the template
• Proxxon DS 460 Scroll Saw
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Precision Vice FMZ (optional)

Let's make the Easter Rabbit and Stand:

Note: The pattern template includes three sizes. The large and medium rabbit are designed for ¼" thick wood. The smallest is designed for 1/8" thick wood. Other thicknesses can be used, but the receiving slot in the rabbit and stand must be adjusted to the thickness of the substrate that you are using. Make these adjustment on the pattern before cutting the shapes.

1. 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 makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
2. Cut out the rabbit and stand shapes on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
3. Use the Delta sander to sand and smooth all surfaces. I have mounted my Delta sander in the precision vice which allows me the use of both hands in manipulating the piece for sanding.
   
   
   
4. If necessary, finish with hand sanding with a fine grit of sandpaper.
   
   
   
5. Here are my cut and sanded pieces.
   
   
   
6. The pieces are now ready for the finish coat. I chose FolkArt Milk Paints, but the rabbit and stand could be finished with wood oil, paste wax, or acrylic paints.
   
   
   
7. Enjoy your Easter rabbit and stand.
   

Carole

How to make a sliding chicken toy

 Hi everyone.   I was recently looking at an old magazine and got inspired by some vintage paper projects they were showcasing.  The patterns were made to be cut out of some sturdy paper, and kids could color them with crayons or paint and then play with them.   Thinking to myself,  I could make some of these using Proxxon tools and thin wood.  Not sure if kids would play with them as they are not very modern or techie, but I know for sure, that I would have fun making them.  

Equipment and supplies

Proxxon mini scroll saw, or Proxxon mini bandsaw, or both if you are really blessed.  😀

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander plus plunge saw blade     

Proxxon mini drill press

1/4 inch plywood scraps

short length of 1/8" dowel       

Plaid paints             

To get started make a copy of this picture, enlarge or reduce it to the size you want.  The second picture is another pattern of a mama bird feeding her babies.

Transfer the design pieces onto the plywood scraps

Before cutting out the pieces use you Proxxon mini drill press to drill 1/8"  holes into the  designated areas  (A,B,C.D)  Doing this first will hopefully keep the thin wood from cracking near the edges.

OOPs, I took a picture of the mama bird from the other pattern.  (Pretend it is a baby chick)😏

 

 then cut them out using either the Proxxon mini bandsaw or the Proxxon mini scroll saw.   I love my Proxxon bandsaw but I believe this is better done on the Proxxon mini scroll saw.

                                                                                           

Sand them all good with the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander  

We  need to make a little slot in the chick where we will place his wings.  

I used the cutting blade on the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander to make my slot and it worked really well.  When the slot was finished I inserted the wings.

Grab the kids and let's paint.  Use plaid paints and you will not be disappointed!

While the paint dries....

Cut 4 dowel pieces approx 1" long. 

Next we just put it all together

Insert the first dowel into the  hole marked A in the bird and the A- hole of the slider.

Do the same with B, C , and D.

Gently pull the slider back and forth to see the birds dip their beaks into the water trough.  

Wasn't that fun?   I hope you enjoyed it, I did.

Thanks you for visiting!!

Thank you Proxxon tools!  Smaller precision tools make crafting so easy and relaxing.

Carol

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How to Make a Climbing Bear Toy

 This classic child's toy is the perfect project for Proxxon tools.

Supplies and Equipment

• 6" x 7" x ½" MDF or hardwood
• 56" length of cord 
• 2 ¾" wooden beads or candle cups
• Climbing Bear Pattern
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E
• Proxxon Drill Stand MB 200
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions

1. Mount the climbing bear pattern on the MDF. 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. Cut the bear on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
3. The hash marks on the bear's paw indicate the channel for the cord. Mark the center between the hash marks on the edge of the paw.
   
   
   
4. Adjust the angle of the drill stand to 55°.
   
   
   
5. Drill a hole in each paw to follow the direction of the hash marks.
   
   
   
6. Cut hanging rod 7" long x ¾" wide. Measure and mark holes for cord.
   
   
   
7. Drill holes in the hanging rod using a piece of waste wood under the rod to minimize tear out.
   

   

   
   
   
   
8. If necessary, sand edges with Delta sander.
   
   
   
9. Paint with FolkArt acrylic paints. Optionally, add facial features.
10. Cut cord into two 25" lengths and on 6" length. Thread the 25" cords through the end holes of the hanging rod, bear's paws, and candle cups, tying knots to secure them in place. Thread the 6" cord through the center hole of the hanging rod and make a loop for hanging. Secure in place with knots.
11. Make the bear climb—hang by the center loop and alternately pull one cord then the other. Continue until the bear has "climbed" to reach the hanging rod. Release the cords, and the bear slides back down.
    
    

Carole

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 an Oven Push/Pull Tool

Avoid those burned fingers with this oven push/pull. This is an excellent introductory scroll saw project.

Supplies and Equipment for the Oven Push/Pull

• 12" x 2" x 1/8" length hard wood
• Oven Push/ Pull Tool pattern
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool and Drill Stand

Instructions for Making the Oven Push/Pull

1. Print the pattern and either trace or mount on wood 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.
2. Cut the pull notch with the scroll saw.
   
3. Mark the rounded corners on the top of the push/pull.
   
4. Round the marked corners on the disc sander.
   
5. Cut the push notch on the scroll saw.
   
6. Sand all flat surface with the Delta sander using progressively finer grits of sandpaper.
   
7. Mount the rotary tool in the drill stand and attach a sanding drum. Sand the push notch. 
   
8. Wrap a pencil with a piece of sandpaper to make a custom sanding block for sanding the pull notch.
   
9. Finish the oven push/pull with wood oil.
   
10. No more burned fingers!!
    

Carole

How to Make a Framed Heart Cut Out

Get ready for Valentine decorating with this framed heart cut out. Today I'm focusing on the heart cut out. You can see how I made the frame in this blog post.

Supplies and Equipment for Making the Heart Cut Out

• Piece of 1/8" substrate to fit frame
• Backing piece to fit heart cut out
• Heart pattern sized for frame
• Frame
• Proxxon MICRO Band Saw MBS/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460

Instructions for Making the Heart Cut Out

1. Measure the back opening of the frame.
   
2. Transfer these measurement to the substrate you're going to cut the heart from. I used leftover book covers from this project.
   
3. Cut the substrate to fit the frame using the band saw.
   
4. Cover the substrate with painter's tape to prepare for mounting the heart pattern, and mark the center of the piece.
   
5. Coat the reverse side of the pattern with a fine mist of spray adhesive and center on substrate.
   
6. Use the bench drill press to drill a pilot hole hear the edge of the heart outline.
   
7. Thread the scroll saw blade through the pilot hole, and cut out the heart.
   
8. Now your creativity and personal style come in. Select a backing to go behind the heart cut out. I knit a little square swatch, but you could cut a piece of knitting from an old sweater. You could also use patterned paper, lace, cloth, ribbon, almost anything. 
   

Carole