aldel
Established Member
If you are like me and just detest discarding those odd ends of scrap hardwood but don't know what to do with them, then here is an idea. I made a dozen or so door wedges to give away at Christmas to friends as joke presents and have subsequently been inundated with orders!
Another forty five have gone and I still need to make more. I just doodle out an animal outline with a wedge and make no attempt at carving. I use a band saw, fret saw and a small belt sander. The judicious use of small metal files will probably be needed to finish the nooks and crannies. I have finished mine with sanding sealer and brushing wax to make the wood come alive.
You could make these with just a fretsaw and sand paper if you don't own any power tools.
So far I have made cats, frogs, snails, chickens, dogs, mice, rabbits, squirrels and fruit, but the choice seems endless. Cat lovers seem to want them just for ornaments and I have been asked for a family of snails without the wedge in Yew.
A search of clip art will provide you with some outlines if you get short of ideas.
I have used idigbo, mahogany, cherry, oak, beech, poplar, ash and maple so far, but I think cherry is my favourite. Any hardwood would be suitable.
If you have an artistic hand you could add reed whiskers and leather tails and include a bit of detail to dress them up. I get satisfaction from quickly producing something from scrap and so far enjoy giving them away.
I may give Ebay a try later though!
I have have posted this to make a change from the great American D**o debate and to perhaps view any other ideas on using up scrap material.
Regards, Aldel
Another forty five have gone and I still need to make more. I just doodle out an animal outline with a wedge and make no attempt at carving. I use a band saw, fret saw and a small belt sander. The judicious use of small metal files will probably be needed to finish the nooks and crannies. I have finished mine with sanding sealer and brushing wax to make the wood come alive.
You could make these with just a fretsaw and sand paper if you don't own any power tools.
So far I have made cats, frogs, snails, chickens, dogs, mice, rabbits, squirrels and fruit, but the choice seems endless. Cat lovers seem to want them just for ornaments and I have been asked for a family of snails without the wedge in Yew.
A search of clip art will provide you with some outlines if you get short of ideas.
I have used idigbo, mahogany, cherry, oak, beech, poplar, ash and maple so far, but I think cherry is my favourite. Any hardwood would be suitable.
If you have an artistic hand you could add reed whiskers and leather tails and include a bit of detail to dress them up. I get satisfaction from quickly producing something from scrap and so far enjoy giving them away.
I may give Ebay a try later though!
I have have posted this to make a change from the great American D**o debate and to perhaps view any other ideas on using up scrap material.
Regards, Aldel