How to Make a Wooden Windmill Lawn Decoration

Make a whimsical lawn windmill using basic craft materials

Lawns look more decorative when you place a colorful garden accessory, such as a crafty wooden windmill, near the flower bed. However, your budget may not allow for decorative lawn windmills when you buy them from a department or garden supply store. Save money by making a lawn windmill yourself using a few inexpensive materials purchased from an arts and crafts supply store. Making a homemade wooden windmill also enables you to customize the windmill to look artistic.

Things You'll Need

• 4 balsa wood planks, 6 inches wide, 8 inches long
• Band saw
• Wood glue
• Drill with 1/8-inch bit
• 6 balsa wood strips, 2 inches wide, 4 inches long
• Small nail, 1/16 inch thick, 2 inches long.
• Craft glue
• Rubber band
• Balsa wood square, 4 inches
• Waterproof latex paint
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Cut four balsa wood rectangles into trapezoids using a band saw to measure 4 inches on the top, 8 inches along the sides and 8 inches on the bottom.

2. Place the four trapezoids upright with the small ends at the top. Squeeze a line of wood glue along all four touching edges and then hold the form in place for two minutes to allow the wood glue to hold. Allow the wood glue to dry for 30 minutes.

3. Drill a small hole into one of the trapezoids using a drill with a 1/8-inch drill bit, positioning the hole 2 inches below the top edge.

4. Drill a hole using the same drill bit into one end of six balsa wood strips. Position each hole 1/2 inch from one end and angle the drill at a 45-degree angle when you insert it into each hole.

5. Place each balsa wood strip onto a nail, one at a time. Place the strips onto the nail with the drilled holes facing the same direction. The angles holes cause the strips to fan out at slight angles.

6. Squeeze a dollop of craft glue onto the end of the nail to secure the balsa wood strips in place. Allow the glue to dry for 30 minutes.

7. Insert the bare end of the nail through the drilled hole on the trapezoid shape. Wrap a rubber band around the end of the nail once it is inside of the trapezoid figure. This will secure the windmill fan onto the side of the windmill base.

8. Squeeze a line of wood glue around the top edge of the windmill base. Place a 4-inch balsa wood square on top of the windmill and then allow the glue to dry for 30 minutes.

9. Paint the outside of the craft windmill using waterproof latex paint. Allow the paint to dry for two hours before displaying the windmill on your lawn.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep band saws out of the reach of children.