This Thanksgiving candle centerpiece is over 13.5 inches wide. I cut it from 1/2" thick wood but you can also use 3/4" thick wood. If you use 3/4" thick wood you may not want the double base. It looks a little clunky when it's that thick.
Thanksgiving is just a few days away but you can easily build this project in one session. It took me about an hour and fifteen minutes to cut the parts and probably another two hours to assemble including waiting for the glue to dry and applying a spray acrylic finish.
The most critical cuts on this project are the curves. It is very obvious when the curves are not cut accurately on this project. If you struggle with the curves take the time to sand them back into shape.
Here are all the parts. I am using off the shelf wooden candle cups. These are available at most decent craft stores. You can make your own if you don't have time to pick these up at the store. Bear Woods sells the wooden candle cup but you won't be able to get them in time for this Thanksgiving. Here is the link. Bear Woods Wooden Candle Cups.
The wooden cups have a hole in the bottom. Pre-drill before you drive the screws. It will split the wood if you don't. Glue alone is probably not strong enough. Use the screws just to make it safer. You don't want the candles falling over.
This is what it looks like assembled.
If you need to make your own cups the use 3/4" thick wood to cut the circles included in the pattern. You can stack two of these if you want a taller cup.
It looks best if you round over the bottom of the cup. If you leave the cut this short you may need to use a nail in the bottom to help hold the candle in the cup.
Cutting 1/4" thick Aluminum Update:
I received quite a bit of interest in the article in yesterday's post about cutting 1/4" thick aluminum. I received one email from a Frank Carey of Papa's Workshop. He cuts quite a bit of 1/8" thick aluminum for the latches on his scroll saw arm Lifter product he sells.
He gave me a few tips that he thought might help with the 1/4" aluminum I am cutting. The first tip was to try the Flying Dutchman Polar blades instead of using the metal cutting blades. Boy was that a good tip. I had some #5 FD Polar blades so I gave it a try and the cutting was much faster. I was able to increase the speed of the saw to 75% full speed and my feed rate was easily doubled.
Frank said he always uses oil when cutting aluminum and finds that does improve the cut. I did not try that yet but I will tomorrow.
My thinking right now is that the metal cutting blades have such a high TPI that they get clogged with the shavings and become less efficient. They work well for thin metals but not so well on thicker materials. The blade just can't clear the shavings fast enough on the thicker aluminum.
More testing to come as I get the chance.
Bear Woods Sponsored Giveaway:
Entries are going strong for the Bear Woods Giveaway. We have over 4,500 entries with 12 days left to enter. If you have not entered yet them click the link below and maybe you will be the winner.
Remember that you can enter everyday.
Remember that you can enter everyday.
The 1st Winner will receive a $100 Bear Woods gift certificate.
The 2nd winner will receive a completed Charles Dearing artwork.
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
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Products for your consideration:
Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results.
Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.
The DVD is $10 plus shipping. This is a data DVD that you will use on your computer to watch the video tutorial
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2017 in DVD
Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.
This DVD has 2,300 patterns published from 2007 thru 2017.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
If you use the DVD on a Windows PC there is a simple viewer program to browse through the patterns.
The DVD also works fine on a MAC. The viewer program is not MAC compatible but there is an included PDF with all the patterns shown as thumbnails for easy viewing.
Want to create beautiful wooden vases on the scroll saw?
My two "Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw" books make it easy.
The books are $12 each and available for instant download after purchase. Click for Video Demonstration.
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Ad: AffiliateWEN 6502 4 x 36-Inch Belt and 6-Inch Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base
Sanding is a fact of life in woodworking. Hand sanding is slow and tiring. One of the first tools you should invest in after you buy your scroll saw is a belt sander and disk sander.
The combo machines like this WEN machines are a good place to start if you are on a budget.
I don't own the WEN unit but the Amazon reviews are not bad for an entry level machine.
- Two-in-one sanding machine includes both a 4-by-36 inch belt and a 6-by-6 inch disc
- Adjustable belt tilts anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees
- Sturdy cast iron base prevents any heavy vibrations
- 4.3A motor provides up to 3600 RPM
- Tension release lever provides for simple changes between sandpaper grits