How to build an "illusion" plant or anything stand

 Hi, It's me again.  I got an easy project for ya today.  We are going to make a plant or anything stand that looks miraculous and impossible (unless you look too close).  It's fun to sit it on a shelf somewhere out of reach of the little kiddies and wait for the comments of surprised people.

This is an easy project and highlights the use of the Proxxon mini chop saw.  This is a fairly new addition to my collection and I love it.  Perfect for cutting small wood pieces for construction.  You can count on getting the straight and miter cuts that you need for projects to go together smoothly.  Check it out at Proxxon.com. 

Supplies and Equipment needed

Proxxon mini chop saw

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

Proxxon mini drill press

wood glue

fishing line

small screws

patience 😉

wood pieces

I started with some  1 x 2 pieces of pine.  I think it is called furring strips.   I used the Proxxon Mini table saw to cut them down to 1 x 1" long slats.  I will use these to make my pieces.  

Check out my drawing with measurements below.   This is one half of the "illusion"  You need to make 2 of these so the cutting list will be as follows.

 1" x 1" x 8"   (will need 4 of these)

 1 x 1 x 6 n  (2)

1 x 1 x 4   (4)

1 x 1 x 1 (4)

Using wood glue I first put the pieces that are on the same plane together then let them dry real well.

 

Next using the Proxxon mini drill press I predrilled some holes where I will insert screws for strength.

I then fastened the top piece using glue and screws and let it dry well.

  

Now comes the tricky part.  Add small screws as per the picture below then use fine fishing line attached as shown.  It took me a little while.  (clumsy fingers), but if I can do it, you can too.\

 Put a small shelf across the top two pieces and add a plant, or statue or ???   and amaze your friends.

From a small distance the fishing line cannot be seen and it appears the shelf is floating......ooooh.

Thank you all for visiting.   Try this cute little, easy peasy project, it's fun and a conversation piece.

Thank you Proxxon.  You make good tools so the making stuff is easy and fun.

till next time... be safe   Carol

How to make a little band saw box

 Hi everybody.   I am back today with a neat little project I know you are going to like.   It was pretty easy to make and came out beautiful, if I do say so myself 😁  We are going to make a simple bandsaw box, made on the Proxxon mini bandsaw.   It is not big,(measuring in at 3" tall and 3 1/2" wide), but it sure is cute!

Tools and Supplies

2 pieces 3/8" x 4" x 4"  pretty wood.   (I used cedar with a pretty grain pattern)

2 pieces 5/8" x 4" x4"  soft wood  (I used pine scrap wood)

Proxxon mini band saw

Proxxon O/ZIE delta sander

wood glue

epoxy glue

polyurethane finish

smallish wood clamps

Ok let's get started.   

First step is to stack the wood.   Glue the 2 soft woods together then sandwich them between your 2 pretty wood pieces.  Then draw the pattern onto your wood.   I saw this pattern in a wood book then decreased the size to 70% to fit my needs.

Next using the Proxxon mini bandsaw cut around the outside of the pattern.  Do Not cut the inside yet.

Now we need to cut a slice off the back that will be the back of the box.    I used a piece of wood with a straight edge and a clamp to fix it to the bandsaw so that I can get a really straight cut.

.

Now we can cut out the middle.   Enter the middle through the purple line on the pattern. Follow the line around and remove the middle as one piece.

.   

Get the glue out.   First glue the entry lane where you cut the middle out and clamp it until it dries.   Next glue the back  back onto the large box.   Clamp it and let it dry well.

  

Now we are going to work with the piece you just cut out of the middle.   We are going to cut the back off of it just like we did with the big piece.  It is going to be the back of the little drawer. And then we are going to cut the front off just the same way and it will be the front

Now we will work on the drawer part.   Draw your sides and then cut it out.   Then glue the back and front pieces  back on and clamp it until it is dry.  

Attach a handle of your choosing.   I cut a little piece of aluminum off my exacto knife using a hacksaw then used epoxy to affix it to the front of the drawer.

Now sand sand sand.   Use the Proxxon O/ZIE delta sander to round off all the edges of the box and drawer.   When the epoxy is dry seal everything with polyurethane or other sealer of your choice.  

I am going to flock the inside of the box and drawer when I get my supplies.   Ugh.... waiting on the mail.    Well, that's it.    again it was one of those projects easier to do than to describe.  

PS.....

Oh goody the mail came.   So.... using painters tape I taped off what I didn't want flocked, then painted the inside of the drawer and box hole with adhesive (which turned out to be just be acrylic paint,  then dusted the insides with the flock.   I got bright blue.   I think it turned out nice.

Now I'm done! 😀🔨

Thanks for visiting!   Thanks Proxxon, I love using your tools!    

Till next time.   Carol