How to Make a Wood Crescent Moon
A crescent moon is a common symbol encountered in everything from skyscape images to children's decorating to religious iconography. As such, this basic shape is one you're likely to need as part of many artisan woodworking projects. Creating an attractive crescent moon shape of any size you like requires little in the way of special shaping skills.
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Things You'll Need
- Tag board
- Drafting compass
- Plywood
- Scroll saw
- Multi-directional saw blade
- Rotary power tool
- Grinding bit
- Medium-grain sandpaper
- Fine sandpaper
- Drill bit
- Stain and varnish or paint
Instructions
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1
Draft two circles in the tag board using the compass and cut them out with scissors. Make them any size you like, so long as one circle's diameter is 90% of the length of the other; the diameter of the larger circle will be the height of your finished crescent moon.
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2
Trace the larger circle on the plywood in pencil.
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3
Place the smaller circle pattern partially inside the larger circle to form a crescent moon shape between the two circles. Trace the smaller circle.
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4
Cut out the crescent moon shape using the scroll saw and multi-directional blade. For best results and ease of cutting, cut out a rectangular shape just around the two circles, then remove additional material to leave just the crescent.
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5
Use a grinding bit on the rotary power tool, set on medium speed, to grind down the edges of the crescent, rounding them off for a more smooth shape.
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6
Sand the entire piece by hand with medium grain, then fine grain, sandpaper. Brush with a dry paintbrush to remove dust.
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7
Switch to a drill bit on the rotary tool and cut a hanging hole in the moon, if you like. Position the hole at least a half inch from all edges of the wood.
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8
Stain and varnish or paint the finished moon as desired.
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9
Hang the crescent moon with twine, wire or thick monofilament cord.
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Tips & Warnings
Adjust the size of the small circle pattern if you want a crescent that looks less realistic and more like the shapes seen in symbols; a smaller inner circle will give the cresent longer arms.
