How to Make a Display Base for a Pez Dispenser
Pez was invented in Austria in 1927, but it wasn't until 1948 that we saw the first Pez dispensers. Since then, like many other quirky items, Pez dispensers have been desired by collectors. If you have a Pez dispenser collection, or are planning on starting one, it might be a good idea to have a plan in mind for displaying your collection. You could purchase display bases from a hobby store or you can make your own display base for a Pez dispenser.
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Things You'll Need
- 3-by-3-inch square of wood
- 2-by-2-inch square of wood
- Pencil
- Vise
- Router
- Spiral router bit
- Sand paper
- Wood glue
- Wood clamp
- 2 small scrap pieces of wood
Instructions
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1
Set your Pez dispenser upright on the 2-by-2-inch piece of wood. Make sure that the front of the dispenser points at a side grain and not an end grain (this makes it easier to cut). Draw around the base of the Pez dispenser with a pencil.
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2
Clamp your piece of wood into a vise. You want to make sure that the shape you drew is accessible with a router bit. A secured bench vise works well as you can clamp the wood securely and still allow the surface to be worked on.
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3
Router out the inside of the shape you drew on the 2-by-2-inch piece of wood using a spiral router bit. You only need to go about 1/2 inch deep.
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4
Sand both pieces of wood until smooth. You might need to use a variety of sandpaper grits to achieve the desired smoothness.
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5
Brush any remaining dust off of both wood pieces. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the entire bottom of the 2-by-2-inch piece of wood. Use small scrap wood pieces to spread the glue for an even, complete coating.
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6
Center the 2-inch block over the 3-by-3-inch piece of wood, press them together and clamp them. Wipe any glue that squeezes out with a damp rag before it dries. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
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7
Stain, wax or varnish your Pez dispenser display base as you choose according to provided instructions or leave it as unfinished wood.
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8
Place your Pez dispenser bottom into the space you routed earlier; it is now ready to be displayed.
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Tips & Warnings
You can easily have plaques applied to the front of your Pez dispenser display base to label their names or dates.
To glue the Pez dispenser in place, coat the bottom of the inside of the space you routed with a small amount of wood glue and press the dispenser bottom into the glue.
Pez.com has an archive of Pez dispensers arranged by year.
Routers operate at high velocities. Avoid loose clothing and tie back any long hair that may get near the router while in operation.
