How to make a Proxxon tool caddy to keep things organized

 Hi again.  It's time I got my act together in the shop.   I have a lot of tools and when I get to working, they end up all over, which I don't mind, but...in between projects I like to get things back in order so that in my next flash of creativity I know where to find them.   Also, if you are like me, 4 or 5 corded tools can get so tangled up together it sort of slows projects way down.   Anyhow, today I am going to fix all that, so that my tools will be at my ready and not cluttering up all my free space at the workbench.

Let's make a Proxxon tool caddy for all our hand held Proxxon tools.   

Supplies needed

1/2" pine or plywood   Need a width of about 6"  I used a dog-erred fence board for part of this hat had been planed very smooth.  (very inexpensive wood that looks great if you spend a little time cleaning it up

1/16" or 1/4' thin plywood or paneling pieces.   Likely you have appropriate scraps for this part.

wood glue,

Proxxon mini table saw

Proxxon mini drill press with drill bits

Proxxon mini bandsaw

Proxxon ozi/e delta sander 

small screws and screwdriver

Proxxon rotary tool with rasp cutting bit.

masking tape.

Let's get started.    Cutting the wood is the trickiest part.  Be careful and, measure and cut accurately and it will go together like a puzzle in the end.    see the cutting dimensions below

I began by cutting some pieces using my proxxon mini table saw  Remember we need the 30 degrees on the long edges of the bottom and sides so I set the gauge on my Proxxon mini table saw to 30.   This way I can cut that angle on both my sides at the same time.    I want the  sides to lean out a little bit.

Next I lined up my sides and bottom and made my lines where I will cut my small slots for the inserts.  The best way to make sure they will fit well is to set the fence for the first cut and run them all through.  Then change the fence for the next cut and run them all through again.

Remove the blade cutter and splitter from the Proxxon table  saw and set the blade height to about 1/8 to 1/4"   Then set the fence and run the boards through making a slot that fits the inserts.

I cut the slot for my inserts using the Proxxon mini bandsaw.   I stacked them up and cut them all at once.

I remembered the cord problem and decided to cut some notches  where I can pass the cord through, then I cut a couple slots out where I plan to put some velcro straps to hold the cords on the outside of this box.   I used the Proxxon mini drill press to start my holes then cut them using the proxxon rotary tool with the rasp cutter to join the holes.

I applied glue to the angled cuts on the sides and bottom, then inserted a couple of my inserts to maintain the shape and taped in using masking tape to hold it until it was dry,  I will reinforce things later with some small screws.  

I finished by gluing in the rest of my inserts and securing the sides with some small screws.

This is going to sit in the center of my workbench.  My tools have a place to be and wont be all over the workbench now.   I will add a handle later but I was anxious for you to see this project.  Looks like I have room for a couple more hand tools.  hint hint.   

I had a good time making this.  I hope you enjoyed the journey.  Till next time have fun and be creative.  Carol     Thanks Proxxon.   I love your tools!

How To make a Charcuterie Board

     Hi everyone. I've been trying to get back to my woodworking since I had surgery. I thought I'd start with something fairly simple, but also something that's pretty trendy right now. I wanted one of these for my Fourth of July picnic.  Follow along with me and I'll show you how simple it is to make one.

Supplies:

   Proxxon 2 Speed Scroll Saw DS 460

   Proxxon long neck angle grinder LHW/E

  1"x12" pine board  (you can determine the length you want)

   Drill and large drill bit

   Butcher Block Conditioner

First I determined how long I wanted my board to be.  That was simple because I had a pine board that was left over from another project. I just worked around a few knot holes that I didn't want on my finished board and cut out what looked like the clearest area. The only thing I really had to draw was the handle. 

I started out using the Proxxon Band Saw but quickly realized I wasn't going to have enough room to swing the board so I switched over to the Proxxon Scroll Saw. 

I was easily able to swing the wood and get the handle cut out.

I used the Proxxon Long Neck Angle Grinder to sand around the edges of the handle and also around the edges of the entire board.

Next using my drill and a fairly large drill bit, I drilled a hole in the handle for hanging. 

                                       

                                      I gave the entire board a good sanding and wiped clean.

Lastly I wiped a butcher block conditioner on the entire board. I let it dry and put on a second coat.  You must make sure you use a product that is food safe.  I may put on a third coat after it dries overnight. Hopefully it will darken more with time and use.

Here's my finished charcuterie board!  I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. These would even make great gifts! 

Thanks for following along with me. 

Colleen  :-)

 

  

 

How to Make the Perfect Beginner's Flower Press

Get ready to preserve all your lovely summer blossoms with this easy-to-make flower press.

Supplies and Equipment for the Flower Press:

• ½" plywood, hardwood, or MDF
• Four 2" or 2¼" carriage bolts 
• Four washers
• Four wing nuts
• Watercolor paper
• Painter's tape or masking tape
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E with Sanding Drum

Instructions:

1. You'll need two blanks for this project.
   
   
   
2. Cut the blanks to size on the table saw.
   
   
   
3. Use painter's tape or masking tape to tape the blanks together.
   
   
   
4. Use a quarter to mark the rounded corners.
   
   
   
5. Round the corners using the disc sander.
   
   
   
6. Mark holes in each corner ½" to ¾" from each edge for the bolts.
   
   
   
7. Drill the holes using the bench drill press. The holes should be slightly larger than the bolts so the pieces slide together easily.
   
   
   
8. Untape the blanks, and sand the surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
   
   
9. Sand the bolt holes using the rotary tool with a sanding drum.
   
   
   
10. Carriage bolts have a square or hexagonal neck that, when hammered into the wood, prevent the bolt from turning when the wing nuts are tightened. Hammer the carriage bolts in place. Once in place the bolts are stationery.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Cut watercolor paper about 6" x 7" to fit between the bolts.
    
    
     
12. Drop the flower press cover onto the bolts, add the washers (to distribute the pressure applied by the wing nuts), then tighten the wing nuts.
    
    
    

 Fresh cut flowers and leaves are layered between the papers. Then, the cover is put in place and the wind nuts tightened. Leave the flowers to dry about a week (or more depending on the flower).

Carole

How to Make a 3-D lion puzzle

 Hi out there, hope you are feeling well and ready to begin a new project. Today we are going to make a beautiful puzzle that is also decor for around the house.

  

Equipment and supplies

Nice piece of wood approx 1/2" thick

Proxxon mini scroll saw

Proxxon mini table saw

Proxxon mini belt sander

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

carbon paper, pencil 

sealer of your choice

wood glue

   Got my inspiration from someone who had done a horse.  Not wanting to copy exactly, I made a lion.   I drew out my own design.  This was my first drawing but I did not take into account that the pieces are up in the air and so they better lock well with each other.  I did sneak in a rock to help support him also.

Using carbon paper, I transferred my design onto my wood piece. I had a nice piece of black walnut to work with.

 

The next step is to cut out the design.  Proxxon mini scroll saw does the work easily.  First cut out the design outline as one piece.

Next, carefully go in and cut apart the puzzle pieces.   This is delicate so I used the slow speed on my Proxxon mini scroll saw.  This helps me make the delicate cuts.  Keep in mind they need to interlock well.

Now, we sand, sand, sand.  I want to take off the edges, so they are rounded and smooth.  This will show off the puzzle effect I am going for.   I used the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander and the Proxxon cordless mini belt sander to do the job.  

To make a base to stabilize the lion, I cut a piece of wood approx 2" x 5" and I made a slot for the lion's back foot and rock piece to fit in.  This just adds stability.  I am going to use the Proxxon mini table saw for this.

I set the saw blade at about 1/4" height and I set the fence about 1" from the saw blade and run the base piece over the blade.  It is not wide enough to insert the lion piece yet so I move it just the tiniest bit either way and run those boards through it again. I do this several times until my piece will fit snuggly into the slot  Then I glued the bottom piece in

I used some polycrylic to seal the wood which also gave it a slightly darker tone that I really liked.

Uh oh.... then I ran into some trouble.  My puzzle would not stand.  The small little forefoot of the lion kept slipping so....Using the Proxxon professional rotary tool. I drilled a hole right through his foot and into the stand and inserted a small skewer stick.  That held it.  Yay.   

Then the rest of the lion could be assembled and if left unbumped would stay together.    psssst.... the polycrylic also helped by filling in the kerf lines for a snugger fit.  

All done.   See how I changed the skewer stick into a magic wand with a little paint and a sparkly bead on the end.  He is a magic lion.  He stands 8" tall.   He has a nice shine and he is sooo smooth to touch.  It's a tactile thing.  And, the more he is played with the smoother he will become.  

Thanks for visiting.   And thank you  Proxxon.  Your tools are awesome and make making things a joy.

Till next time, play safe,

Carol