How to make a little bird feeder

Welcome back.  Yesssss I am talking to you, and the flowers and the warm sunshine and the little birds.  I am so happy to be defrosted and ready for spring.  I noted the birds have come back, and to look at my birdfeeders they are hungry.  Little birds were getting rude treatment at my big feeders so I decided to make a little one that would be just for them. See below the instructions on how to build this cute little bird feeder using Proxxon tools.

Equipment and supplies

Proxxon mini table saw

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

Pine boards 1/2" to 3/8" thick

2 small pieces of 1/8" plexiglass

wood glue

small screws

16" of rope or strong twine.   

6 x 1" wood slat

See the cutting pattern below I used the Proxxon mini table saw to cut my pieces.

The first thing I did was to build the fence that I am going to put around the bottom of this feeder.  This will help keep all the seeds from spilling out.

I have my two longer pieces and 2 of the shorter ones.  The long pieces will go on the long side of the bottom with slight overhang on each side. The shorter pieces will go inside of the longer pieces on the short sides of the bottom.  Confused yet?  👀  see picture below

Now I have glued it in place.  I add a few nails along the bottom of the fence just to be sure.  And I sand my edges smooth using my Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.   I love this sander!

Next I need to make a slot in the wooden sides so that the plexiglass front and back can slide in.

I need to remove the blade cover and splitter for the next step and set my blade height to about 1/4"  I want to cut only about half way through the wood, making a slot.

I set the fence about 1/2" from the saw blade and run both long sides of each of the side pieces over the blade.  It is not quite wide enough to insert the plexiglas yet so I move it just the tiniest bit either way and run those boards through it again.  Now I have a slot that will accommodate the plexiglass pieces.

Glue the bottom supports to the bottom of the sides. 

Then, glue the sides to the short side of the base then secure it with a couple of screws.  The plexiglas should slide in easily.  Note at the bottom the support acts as a stop so there is space for the seeds to fall through.   I've taken the protective plastic off the glass now.  Look how clear. 

 

A couple of screws or i-hooks on the side to tie the piece of rope to, then up through the top holes and  you are finished.  Now we can fill it with seed and hang it outside.  

This works good for the little birds because the big birds have a hard time holding on and eating from the narrow trough.  It is easy to fill because the lid lifts up.  

Poor angry bird too big for the new feeder.

This is a fast and easy project.  Proxxon tools are just the ticket.   Give it a try.

Thanks for visiting.   Love my Proxxon tools.

till next time....   Carol

How to Make a Slant Board for Leg Stretches

 Slant boards are used to stretch and strengthen leg muscles, especially the calf muscles. You can do an online search to find appropriate slant board exercises. Proxxon MICROMOT tools make is an easy project to cut and assemble.

Here are the supplies and equipment that you'll need to make a slant board:

• One 12" x 5½" x ¾" piece of lumber
• One 11" x 13" x ¾" piece of lumber or MDF
• Ten 1½" steel screws
• One 9" x 11" sheet of course grit sandpaper
• Wood glue
• Double-sided tape
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115

Let's make the slant board:

1. Here are the sizes of the finished pieces for the slant board.
   

   Side supports

   Back support

   Top

2. Use the table saw to cut 12" x 5½" and 11" x 13" blanks.
   
   
   
3. Use the bandsaw to cut the 12" x 5½" blank into the two side support.
   
   
   
4. Sand the edges with the Delta sander.
   
   
   
5. Measure and mark two holes on the outside of one of the side supports 1 3/8" from the top and bottom.
   
   
   
6. Clamp the two side support pieces together. Use the bench drill press to drill the screw holes.
   
   
   
7. Apply wood glue to the 5" edges of the back support.
   
   
   
8. Screw the back and side supports together.
   
   
   
9. Measure and mark three holes on each of the 13" sides of the top—at 3¼", 6½", and 9¾". Use the bench drill press to drill the screw holes. Screw the top to the side supports.
10. Round the corners of the sheet of sandpaper by tracing around the rim of a glass. Trim the corners with scissors. Rounded corners are less likely to curl and become loose. Use double-sided tape to adhere the sandpaper to the center of the top.
    
    
    
11. There, you  have it. Your own slant board. Now, go stretch those calves.
    
    
    

Carole

How to Make a Plant Hook

Spring is in the air, and soon it will be time for outdoor plants and flowers. This easy-to-make plant hook is the perfect way to display them.

Supplies and Equipment to make the plant hook:

• 7½" x 3" wood blank
• Plant hook template
• MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E (or Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460)
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E with MICROMOT Flexshaft 110/BF and sanding band
• Screw hook
• Sealant

Let's make the plant hook:

1. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. 
   
   
   
2. Print the plant hook template. 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.
   
   
   
3. Cut out the plant hook using either the bandsaw or the scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Sand the exterior edges and front and back sides of the plant hook with the disc sander.
   
   
   
5. Use the Delta sander to sand interior surfaces.
   
   
   
6. Use the professional rotary tool with the flexshaft and sanding band to sand the interior curves of the plant hook.
   
   
   
7. Measure and mark the center of the top edge. Drill a pilot hole for the screw hook.
8. Apply a finish sealant to weatherproof the plant hook.

Carole

Make your own picture frame- Easy with Proxxon tools

 Hi again.  Today I am going to show you how to make a picture frame using Proxxon tools.  Mitered corners have always been a challenge but with the Proxxon mini chop saw it is a breeze, so easy almost anyone can do it.  I say almost because you know there is always one in a crowd.  Ho Ho.   Okay, back to the business of frame making.  By the way, I am going to make a little one, but you can change the length of the sides.  The width of the frame pieces however, must stay below 2 1/2 inches if using the Proxxon  mini chop saw.

Let's get started.  

Equipment and supplies

wood of your choice.  (I chose a piece of 3/8" scrap oak I had left over.

Proxxon mini table saw

Proxxon mini chop saw

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

good wood glue

Proxxon mini drill press

Bamboo skewer sticks or similar.  could use toothpicks.

Finishing stain, sealer or wax.

I chose a piece of wood I thought would look good finished as a frame to my picture.

This is oak leftover from an earlier project.  I take it to the Proxxon table saw and cut some slats measuring 2 1/4 inches.   Don't worry about the length just yet.  Cutting the wood very straight is made super simple by setting the fence.  Use a push stick and keep your fingers clear of the saw blade.  The shield and splitter normally in place, has been removed so that we can accomplish the next task.

We are going to make a groove along one side of the slats, note the height of the saw blade is approx 1/2 the depth of the wood slat.  🠋

Move the fence to within 1/8" of the saw blade and run one side of each board through the saw blade.   Then move is just slightly out a hair and run them through again.  You will end up with a recessed edge along your soon to be short sides of the slats.  

Now set the Proxxon chop saw to cut at a 45 degree angle.  Take one of the slats and place it in the clamp of the chop saw so that the short side will be the side with the newly created cut out and make the first 45 degree cut.

Measure one of the sides of your picture, then take that measurement and measure from the short side of your freshly cut piece and make a mark.  This will be where you will start the cut on the other side.  (Note that the short sides will be on the same side of the newly cut board and both long sides will be on the other side.)
 

Cut your boards carefully and the frame will fit together like a puzzle. 

Next I glued the piece together using a fast acting 10 minute wood glue.  When it was set I felt I should add some more support so here is what I did.   

I set up the Proxxon mini drill press as seen below.  I turned the drill so it would drill off the side of the base because my frame would have been too tall.  I clamped it to the edge of my workbench.  I clamped the frame to the edge of the base of the drill press to hold it steady then lined up my drill to go straight through the center of the edge of the wood frame.  I lined it up 1/2" from the corner so my hole will continue through part of the side piece as well.  Then I drilled the hole at each of the 4 corners.

I placed a drop of my fast glue at each hole then inserted a 2" piece of skewer into each hole and I used a mallet to drive it into the hole.  Then I cut it off flush and sanded it using the Proxxon OZI./E delta sander.

I sanded the whole project using the OZI/E delta sander then sealed it with a wipe on stain.  

Optional-  I cut a piece of Plexiglas the exact size of the picture.  I did this with the Proxxon mini bandsaw with the toothless blade..  Lastly I laid first the Plexiglas, then the picture then a piece of cardboard (all the same size) onto the ledge and secured it with 4 staples at the corners.  I put on a saw tooth picture hanger and hung it on my wall.  Later I might add some fancy work, ie routing, woodburning, paint or whatever.  It's very sturdy.

That's it.  Trust me it was easy.  Way easier to build than to write about it.  

Hope you like it and might try it out.

Thanks for visiting.   Till the next one  Carol

I love Proxxon tools!!!  

How to Make a Table Decoration of a Cute Easter Rabbit with Eggs

This rabbit and eggs table decoration is sure to be a favorite at Easter. Proxxon tools make it easy and fun to create. The downloadable pattern is included.

Supplies and Equipment for the Rabbit and Eggs Easter decoration

• Downloadable pattern of rabbit and eggs
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115 
• Wood or MDF scraps: ~ 8½" x 2" x ½" for base; ~ 5½" x 4" x ¼" or ½" for rabbit; ~ 4½" x 6" x ½" for eggs
• 1/8" dowel rod, thin skewer, or round toothpicks
• Gesso (optional)
• FolkArt acrylic paints

Instructions for making the Rabbit and Eggs Easter decoration

1. Print out the rabbit and eggs pattern.
2. Cover blanks for rabbit and eggs with painter's tape.
   
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
   
4. Cut out the shapes using either the bandsaw or the scroll saw.
   
   
   
5. Sand the edges of the cutouts on the disc sander.
   
   
   
6. Measure, mark, and drill holes in the sides of the eggs for the dowels rods. I varied the angle that my eggs would stand. Secure the eggs in the machine vice and use the adjustable fence for accuracy. Use the bench drill press to drill the holes.
   
   
   
7. Use the depth gauge to ensure holes are consistent in depth.
   
   
   
8. Mark the desired position of the rabbit and eggs on the base blank, and drill holes for the dowel rods. Use the bench drill press, adjustable fence, and depth gauge for accuracy.
9. Optional: Coat the the pieces with gesso prior to painting. Gesso primes the surface for the acrylic paints. I find it especially effective when working with MDF.
   
   
   
10. Paint the base, rabbit, and eggs. After the gesso, I painted the eggs with FolkArt Pearl Gold Brushed Metal paint, and gave each egg a final coat of a different color of FolkArt Glitterific paint. The rabbit was painted white, and the base was painted with FolkArt Color Shift paint.
    
    
    
11. Glue the dowel rods into each egg and the rabbit. Gluing the rods only in the figures makes disassembling and storage easy.
12. Add a handful of Easter grass and your decoration is ready for display.
    

Carole