How to make a fishing pole rack

       Hi everyone.  Hope your winter is going well.  Groundhog says an early spring and I'm all for it!  I'm ready.  Speaking of spring.  I like to go fishing when the weather is nice, but I hate storing the fishing poles.  Seems they are always getting tangled or falling over or just generally getting in my way in the workshop.  So today when I got them down out of the rafters, I made a little fishing rack with the intentions of keeping them tangle free and ready to go at a moment's notice.  I of course used my Proxxon tools, I find the smaller tools are so convenient to use for these quick projects.

 I used some wood pieces I found in my shop so my measurements might seem arbitrary, probably because they are. 😁 Feel free to shrink or enlarge your project according to your needs. 

Here are the measurements I used.  Enlarge the picture above to read it.

 I used the Proxxon mini table saw to cut all my pieces,  

Then, I used my Proxxon mini scroll saw to cut out the keyholes in the top piece.  My rack will hold 6 poles so I cut 6 keyholes.

I spaced the center of the keyholes 2 1/2 inches apart.

I always use my Proxxon O/ZIE delta sander to smooth all the edges after each cut. Splinters are never wanted.

To prepare the bottom to hold the butt of the fishing rod, I used a drill with a Forstner 1- 1/4 bit to make 1/4" deep holes spaced at center 2-1/4 inches apart.  This just keeps the poles from sliding around on the rack.

Next, I fastened the 3 supports to the side pieces, One at the top, one at the bottom/ and the third in the middle.  I glued and clamped them in place then added screws to strengthen it.  I used the Proxxon rotary tool with a small drill bit to predrill all my holes prior to adding the screws to avoid splitting the wood.

When the glue was dry, I added the top and bottom pieces aligning them perpendicular to the brace pieces; Again, I glued, clamped, and then when it was good and dry I predrilled mu screw holes prior to adding strengthening screws.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               I added the 2 small pieces to the top piece and fastened them down with wing nuts.  They can be loosened to release the poles.                                                                                                                                                       

 I put it all together and hung it temporarily on the wall.  It works great.  I'm going to take it down and paint it, then it will be finished, and I can add my other poles to this collection. 

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Proxxon tools made this project super easy.

Now I'm ready for fishing season and won't have to untangle everything first.

I enjoyed this project.  Hope you give it a try too.

Catch you next time   Carol W

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How to Make the Perfect Valentine's Day Country Chic Peg People Decoration

I'm never without holiday decoration since they are so easy and fun to make with Proxxon MICROMOT tools. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, these Country Chic Valentine Peg People are just right for the day.

Here are the supplies and equipment I used:

• 1" x ¾" x 12" blank (I used scraps that I had on hand, but you can easily scale this project.)
• 2" length of  1" dowel rod
• 3" length of 1/8" dowel rod
• 2" x 2" x 1/8" blank
• Liquid wood glue
• Acrylic paints
• Twine
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E or Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E
• Proxxon Flexishaft 110/P

Let's make the Valentine Peg People:

1. Cut the body blanks to length using the bandsaw or table saw. Mine are 6" and 5¼" long.
   
   
   
2. Cut two ¾" lengths of 1" dowel for heads. These need to be as long as the body blank is thick.
3. Mark the center of the end of the body blanks.
   
   
   
4. Mark the center of the height of the dowel heads. Use the rotary tool with the flexishaft to drill ~½" hole in the bodies and heads.
   
   
   
5. Cut the heart from the 2" x 2" x 1/8" blank using the scroll saw. 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. 
   
   
   
6. Sand the edges of all pieces using the Delta sander. I use the Delta sander mounted in the Precision Vice FMZ so both hands are free to manipulate the piece I'm sanding.
   
   
   
7. Apply the finish of your choice and let dry thoroughly. I painted mine with acrylic paints.
   
   
   
8. Cut 1" pegs from the 1/8" dowel for attaching the heads to the bodies with liquid wood glue.
   
   
   
9. Tie the peg couple together with twine and glue the heart on top of the twine.
10. Enjoy your Country Chic Valentine Peg People!!
    
    
    

Other Country Chic projects include:

• Country Chic Sheep
• Country Chic Pig
• Country Chic Bird
• Country Chic Chick
• Country Chic Three Cats
• Country Chic Cuts of Pork
• Country Chic Hen
• Country Chic Holiday Reindeer

Carole

How to make a dollhouse chair.

Hi everybody!   Guess you survived the holidays!    Time to get going onto something new in this brand-new year!   I'm in the process of helping a friend. refurbish an old doll house.  We have been working mostly on the structure and exterior, but now we are giving that a little rest and thinking about the interior. So, my project today is to make a little chair for this little house. It's very first piece of furniture.\

Ok, Let's get started, I saw a design for a chair and have redone it to fit my needs.   See below for my plan.

I see that it could have been darker,  sorry!

So the first step was to draw the pattern, as above.  This little chair is going to be about 4" tall.

Next it gets transferred to the 1/4" poplar plywood I am using and I begin to cut it out using the Proxxon mini band saw.   A scroll saw would work just as well, (maybe better), but I just love the little Proxxon band saw.   Anyway, there are parts of this I do take to the Proxxon mini scroll saw as it works better on the tight curves.

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I need to tell you on the patterns there are small tabs and slots where things will fit together.  This makes gluing so much easier.  After all is done there might be a bit of tab showing but that can easily be sanded off.  I like to use the Proxxon delta sander for this and pretty much all my sanding needs.

For the inside cuts on the chair back, I drilled some holes ahead of taking it to the scroll saw as a shortcut.  You do have to drill a hole in it someplace anyway, so it might as well make it do something.  Then I released the sawblade on the Proxxon scroll saw and threaded it through the hole to cut the sides.  The Proxxon scroll saw can use blades with pins.  This makes changing blades or releasing and replacing blade for inside cuts very easy!

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Once we get all our pieces cut and sanded it's time for gluing.  This can be little tricky but small clamps really help. 

And now we got a chair.  It's pretty sturdy and will look nice when I finish sanding and painting it.

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There, Now, there is a place to sit on the porch.😁

I really enjoyed making the little chair and look forward to constructing some more furniture for this many-roomed dollhouse.

Thanks for visiting.  Hope to see you back next time.  Carol.

Play safe everybody.!

Thanks Proxxon, I'm still loving your tools.

How to Make a Custom Shelving Unit for Video Consoles

 This project come as a request from my son so he could have a more organized space for his video  and gaming consoles. 

Supplies and Equipment:

• Four 13" x 18" x ¾" shelves
• Two 13" x 16" x ¾" sides
• Twelve 1½" screws
• Eight self-tapping screws
• Liquid wood adhesive
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon MICROMOT Flexishaft 110/BF

How to construct the shelving unit:

1. Decide on the dimensions for your shelving unit. You will need four shelves and two sides. You'll also need to determine the space between the shelves. The back of the unit is open.
2. Cut the shelves and side using the table saw. Set the blade height and, if necessary, use the extendable extension.
   

   

   
   
3. Sand the shelves and sides using the Delta sander.
   
   
   
4. Measure and mark for holes on the side pieces. You'll need three holes on the top and three on the bottom. Since my boards are ¾" thick, the holes needed to be equally spaced 3/8" from the top and bottom edges of the side pieces.
   
   
   
5. Drill these holes on the side pieces using the bench drill press. Set the adjustable fence to ensure accurate spacing from the edges.
   
   
   
6. Change the bit in the drill press to a countersink bit WITHOUT moving the adjustable fence. Set the depth gauge on the drill press and countersink the holes on each of the sides. You can drill a hole in a scrap piece of wood to test the depth of the countersink.
   

   
7. Now, on the inside of the side piece mark placement for the self-tapping screws to support the  removable two center shelves. You'll need four self-tapping screws—two on each inside side piece—for each of the center shelves. Drill these holes and screw in the self-tapping screws. This is a self-tapping screw.
   
   
   
8. Next, you will need to drill holes in the top and bottom shelves where they will be screwed to the sides. I used a workbench to secure the shelf so I could position and clamp the side piece on it, and then, used the holes that I drilled in the side piece as a guide for drilling the holes in the shelves using the flexishaft.
   
   
   
9. Next, I unclamped the side piece leaving the shelf piece in the workbench, and applied liquid wood adhesive to the edge of the shelf.
   
   
   
10. Now, reposition and clamp the side piece in place again. Screw the side and shelf together. 
    
    
    
11. Repeat for the other side. Let the glue dry, and you're ready to use the shelving unit.
    

Carole

Easy Reindeer for kids to paint

 Hey happy holidays to all of you!!

This is an easy to make on purpose so you can make a dozen.  The idea is to give these to kids to paint and this might keep them busy for a little while.  Its best with a small group so it doesn't get out of control.

I used Proxxon tools to make these and I admit it was fun for me too.  Some of the kids enjoyed watching the process and having me change a few things so there's was a little different.  It's easy to personalize this little reindeer.  

For a little nicer reindeer if you are aiming for pretty instead of fun look at the last blog before this for step-by-step directions.  

Equipment and supplies.   Thin Plywood, short pieces of 1 x 3 board, pencil, Proxxon mini scroll saw, Plaid paints glue, clamps.   Add a few kids and this is going to be fun!

1-Firstly, draw your easy design onto your plywood piece.  

Make 2 of these per reindeer

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Cut these out using the Proxxon mini scroll saw.

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Use a little wood glue and glue the two pieces together and clamp then till dry.

Using the Proxxon mini table saw set the fence about 1" from the sawblade and set the saw blade at about 1/4" high.  You will run the short piece of 1 x 3 across the saw blade.  (You must remove the blade guard to do this), This will make a groove that the reindeer feet will sit in so it will stand upright.

Get the kids and let them paint their new little project.  Use Plaid paints for good coverage.

Add a little bling bling if desired and your done,

The kids had a blast. and I think they came out cute.  Wish I had a picture before they took them home.

Merry Christmas everyone.  I'll be seeing you in the new year.  

Play safe!

Carol W