How to Design Wood Shapes
Basic shapes cut out of wood are great for everything from small ornaments to building wooden items such as bookends or lamps. Professional woodcrafters use wooden patterns and shapes to add variety to their products. For example, thinly cut shapes and wood glue can be used to transform an ordinary chest into an entertaining toy box. Compared to many similar commercial products, building things with wooden shapes affixed is more affordable and durable, plus it offers the satisfaction of having made the item yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Carpenter's compass
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Utility knife
- Plywood (thickness and size vary)
- Jigsaw
- Drill with assorted bits
- 180-grit sandpaper
- 240-grit sandpaper
- Paint
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Draw the shape you want to cut out of wood on a piece of paper. Use a pencil to allow corrections or changes to the design. Unless you are tracing the design, use a ruler or protractor, or even a carpenter's compass, to keep the sides and angles correct.
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2
Scribe the design into a piece of plywood. Use thinner wood for designs that will be affixed to other items and cabinet-quality lumber for free-standing items. Use a utility knife with a new blade and trace the tip of the blade along all of your drawn lines.
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3
Cut out the design using a jigsaw. Make interior cuts in the wood by drilling a small hole with a wood bit, then inserting the jigsaw blade. Add more dimension to the design by setting the bevel of the jigsaw to a 35-degree angle.
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4
Use 180-grit sandpaper to shape the corners and edges. Remember to always sand along with the grain to avoid gouging the wood surface. Smooth the entire surface with 240-grit sandpaper to bring the wood to a paintable finish.
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5
Paint the shape as desired. Apply a minimum of two coats of paint for a more durable finish. Allow two hours between coats, or until the paint is no longer tacky to the touch.
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Tips & Warnings
Use stencils or ordinary objects found around the home, and trace their dimensions to create fast and easy designs.
Cut out seasonal figures, such as Santa or jack-o-lanterns, in large and small sizes, and paint them for decorations and ornaments.
Use a belt or table sander to modify the thickness or shape to add even more variety.
