Category: How To

Kids Leprechaun Trap

Leprechaun traps have gained in popularity as kids learn about simple machines and build interesting trap mechanisms to catch the leprechaun for Saint Patrick’s day.  Legend has it that if you capture one, he will grant you three wishes.  However; he is tricksy and will try to get outwit you and get away.

When the kids came home from school talking about Leprechaun traps, I had no idea they were a thing.  We did some planning and picked up a couple dowels and a small amount of hardware for hinges and the clasp.

Making leprechaun traps is a simple and fun project to get woodworking with kids.  The one that we put together used dowels as bars.  Getting the spacing for the holes drilled accurately was the most difficult part.  Although it wasn’t very difficult.  After the positions for the holes were laid out, the drillpress quickly bored out the multiple holes to a consistent depth. A bit more care would be required for a handheld drill as verticle holes are necessary.

Using a jigsaw we cut out shamrocks to hold the handle.  This turned out well and was a fun part of the project.  A bandsaw, hand coping saw, or a scroll saw would also work out well for cutting out these two parts.  Time (and skill!) permitting, I think these would be fun to spend more time on and carve in more details.

Another improvement would be to not have the hinge on the top of the leprechaun trap.  While it does make for an easy trapping mechanism, it almost seems more like a carrying case for leprechauns.

It was a great woodworking project to get the kids into the shop and have them help with some of the various design and cutting decisions.  The girls helped with the design, assembly, and some of the hand tool work.  At the time they were too young to use any of the power tools.

I want to teach them how to work through problems and visualize projects.  A simple woodworking project such as this one was a fantastic introduction.  I’m hoping to come up with more fun projects to do with them.

If you have any questions about the leprechaun trap, want me to write up plans, or share a story of woodworking with kids, let me know in the comments.

 

 

Make Hollowing Tools & Woodturn Fantastic Vessels and Hollowforms

In order to make hollowforms such as vases, vessels, ornaments, and urns, I needed to make a tool that would extend through the narrow opening and into the interior of my piece.

This woodturning tool will allow the creation of wooden hollow forms such as ornaments, vases, vessels, urns, and other interesting designs. The technique for making a hollowing tool is adapted from master woodturner David Ellsworth’s book, “Ellsworth on Woodturning: How a Master Creates Bowls, Pots, and Vessels”

Materials needed for this project:
– Steel Rod for tool shank
– M2 High Speed Steel for cutting edge
– Hardwood for Handle
– (Optional) Pipe or cord for feral
– Epoxy
– CA Glue

How to Make a Custom Sign Using a Woodworking Router

Learn how to make a custom wooden sign using a woodworking router without using a cnc machine.

I carved out material on a maple board using a woodworking router, filled the recess with paint, and then cleaned up the surface of the board. The project is fairly straightforward and would be an easy one for newer woodworkers.

Tools Needed

  • A Saw – Almost any type of saw will work.  If you want a sign with straight edges, a tablesaw, miter saw, or circular saw will work.  Curved edges will mean a jigsaw, bandsaw, or scrollsaw will allow you to create the desired profile.  If you are using handtools then pick out your favorite saw.
  • A Router – An electric router will serve you best here, although it could certainly be made with various carving gouges and chisels.  There is a plunge cut for the interior portion of the sign and an edging cut on the outer profile.
  • Sander – There will be plenty of sanding on this project to clean off excess paint.  Like the saw, almost any sander will work.

Materials Needed

  • Lumber – I used maple
  • Carbon Paper – Used to transfer your design onto the wood.
  • Paint – Spray paint works well to produce an even coat without staining the wood
  • Finish – I used a wipe on polyurethane to coat the board.

In looking for a supply of beeswax to make some food-safe finishes I met with a beekeeper who needed a custom sign made. We made a deal and I set to work on the sign.

 

 

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