Review of the Pensander

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today sharing a review of the Pensander.

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The Pensander is approximately 6" in length and is easily handled like a pen.  And weighing less than one half pound, there is no strain on your hand or wrist when used for extensive periods.  The Pensader is perfect for small areas or small projects.

This mini sander has a linear sanding motion and operates at 8,000 strokes per minute.  There are four sanding attachments with straight shanks and four sanding attachments with angled shanks.  Also included are 3 sheets of adhesive sanding pads in 3 different grits, enough for many projects.

The adhesive pads are cut to fit each shank so you simply remove the adhesive backing and adhere the sanding pad to the shank you are using.

An AC adapter is required and I use the NG 5/E.  It's speed can be controlled for a variety of projects.

Following are several projects on which I've used the Pensander.

Fairy House

Dream and Imagine

Thanks for stopping by.

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

How to make some dog and cat decor for the kids, (using scraps from the shop)

Hi everyone.    Today l have a project the kids are going to enjoy.   We will be making some whimsical décor for their bedrooms using only scraps found in the workshop.  To make it even better let's let the kids paint and decorate.

Materials and equipment needed.  

Scrap wood.  I used some 1/2" x 3" pieces of pine cut offs

Wood glue, 

toothpicks

washers, nuts bolts, screws or  anything you can find to decorate.

Plaid paints

Proxxon mini bandsaw

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.

Proxxon mini drill press with small bit.

To get started I just drew some simple patterns onto my pieces of scrap wood.

These will be the dog's and the cat's heads

Next I cut them out using the Proxxon mini bandsaw.

What I cut out under the dog's ear I will use for the cat's ear.

Waste not want not.  

I next cut out two pieces for their backs and four pieces for their feet.

Using the Proxxon mini bandsaw makes this so easy.   Have I said it before that I love this tool?

Sand all your pieces really well using the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.  This is going to kids and kids, (like everyone), hate splinters.  

Now I have all the pieces and I need to put them together.   Since these are for kids I want to make them a little bit stronger than just glue alone so we are going to use some toothpicks as tiny dowels to reinforce the bonds.

First thing to do is to line up the pieces where I want them to go and make some guide marks. 

Next using the Proxxon mini drill press and small drill bit (the size of the toothpick), I drill 1/2" deep into the center of the wood sides I want to join. 

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 I glue the toothpicks into one side, then add glue to the board edge and tooth picks and put the sides together.  It's a good idea to clamp it together until the glue dries completely.

Do the same with the ears and feet.   This will hold things together securely

Now it is time to paint.   I recommend Plaid paints because of the many choices of such beautiful colors.   This is a good time to get the kids involved.  Let them paint their new little animal friends.

   Now add some "stuff" from the shop.  I used washers and screws for the eyes, a bolt for doggy's nose, a duck tape tongue, and wire for kitty whiskers.   You got to admit they are unique.

They sit well and can be used as bookends if you like.  

Well, wasn't that fun?    Make em funny or make em cute, it's up to you.  

Thanks for visiting.   

Thank you Proxxon,   I LOVE your tools!!!

Thank You Plaid paints, you are awesome too!!!

Hope to see you next time.  

Feel free to suggest a new project.     Carol

How To Create a Fall Sign

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today showing you how to create a fall sign.

Drawing a leaf on Smoothfoam, I used the Hot Wire Cutter to cut the leaf. 

I wanted the leaf a little thinner so I cut the leaf  in half with the Hot Wire Cutter.

I painted the leaves and the plaque with Folk Art Paint.

Using a Plaid stencil, I added a design with modeling paste

 Once dry, I used the Bench Drill Press to add holes in the top of the sign.

For additional colors, I spritzed the sign with Fireworks Shimmery Craft Sprays and used a baby wipe to remove some of the colors.  I also spritzed the leaves to make them more realistic.

String was added in the holes.  The phrase was stamped with brown ink and die cut.  The phrase was matted with a larger die using Rinea Marigold Foiled Paper.

Finally, I added Gold Stickles as the veins.

Happy Fall.

Thanks for stopping by.

How to Make a Door Stop

A door stop can be a useful tool—or purely decorative home decor element. This door stop is easy to create using Proxxon MICROMOT Power Tools.

Supplies and Equipment for the Door Stop

• 8½" x 2" x ¾" or 1" piece of hardwood or Baltic birch plywood
• Schematic for the door stop
• ¾" x 1" pre-made wood candle cup
• Apoxie Sculpt clay
• ½" to ¾" eye screw
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115

Instructions for Making the Door Stop

1. Using the schematic as a guide, mark the dimensions of the wood on both the top and side.
   
2. Mark the rounded end of the door stop.
   
3. Cut the top view of the door stop on the bandsaw. Then, cut the side view.
   
4. Sand the rounded end of the door stop on the disc sander.
   
5. Use the Delta sander to sand all surfaces, using progressively finer grits of sandpaper.
   
6. Finish as desired—sealant, vanish, shellac, wax. I chose to polish the natural, unstained wood with a paste wax.

You could stop right here and have a perfectly functional door stop, but I wanted to add a little glam to mine so I made a decorative knob.

Instructions for Making the Decorative Knob for the Door Stop

1. Mark the center of the 1½" square on the top of the door stop.
   
2. Use the drill press to drill a pilot hole for the eye screw. Use a bit slightly smaller that the eye screw.
   
3. Mix parts A and B of Apoxie Sculpt according to directions. 
   
4. Fill the candle cup with the Apoxie Sculpt, adding small amounts at a time and pressing in well to avoid air pockets.
5. Insert the eye of the eye screw into the bottom of the candle cup.
6. Thread a decorative bead onto a bead wire and insert into the top of the candle cup.
7. Let dry overnight to fully cure the Apoxie Sculpt.
8. Screw the eye screw into the pilot hole on the door stop.
   
9. Enjoy your decorative—and useful—door stop.
   

Carole