Making Simple Christmas Presents from Baltic Birch Plywood
Puzzle Coaster Trivet
Materials Needed:
- 1 piece of 1/2 inch plywood (about 12 x 12 inches)
- Puzzle template, printed out
- Glue stick
- Sandpaper
- Polyurethane
Tools Needed:
- Band Saw / Jig Saw or Scroll Saw
Method:
For this project I used Baltic Birch plywood, however any higher grade plywood would work well.
I started with printing out the puzzle template. I cut out each individual paper puzzle piece and glued them to the plywood with a glue stick. I found that it's easier to cut out each piece individually as opposed to cutting out the whole puzzle from one piece of wood.
After gluing on the puzzle pieces I cut them up on the band saw, however you could also use a jig saw or a scroll saw. Once the plywood puzzle pieces were cut up I sanded them and finished with two coats of polyurethane for protection.
DIY Tablet & IPhone Organizer
Materials Needed:
- 1/2 inch high grade plywood, such as Baltic Birch, 20 x 12 inches total
- Glue
- Sandpaper
- Polyurethane
Tools Needed:
- Table Saw
- Miter Saw
- Drill
Method:
Cut out two pieces of plywood, that measure around 8 x 11 inches. Apply an even amount of glue on both pieces and glue them together, securing with clamps. Let dry.
Once dry, cut the piece to measure 7 x 9 1/2 inches on the table saw/ miter saw.
Next, setting the blade on your table saw to 1/2 inch depth and a 10 degree bevel, start making several cuts to create a wide enough groove to hold your tablet or phone. Continue making groves, some on the long side, some on the short side. Some at an angle, and some straight in different thicknesses, until you have a pattern you're satisfied with (for a clearer view, watch the video).
To give it some protection, finish off with two coats of polyurethane.
Edge Grain Plywood Tray
Materials Needed:
- 1 piece of 1/2 inch of high grade plywood, such as Baltic Birch (about 2 sq ft)
- Sandpaper
- Glue
- Nails
- Polyurethane
- Template
Tools Needed:
- Table Saw Band Saw / Jig Saw / Scroll Saw
- Clamps
- Belt sander / Palm Sander
- Nail gun
Method:
Start by cutting out 25 strips of plywood on the band saw that measure 1/2 inch x 10 1/2 inches. Apply a thin amount of glue to each side of the strips and glue them together. Secure with clamps and let the board dry.
Once dry, scrape the glue squeeze-out off and sand smooth with a belt sander or palm sander on both sides.
Clean up the glued ends by cutting the board to measure 9 1/2 inches wide.
Print out the template and cut out the pieces for the handles and the rails (2 handles, 2 rails). Attach the four pieces with a glue stick onto the plywood, and cut out the pieces with a band saw/jig saw or scroll saw.
Next cut up a 3/4 inch strip of plywood and cut eight 3/4 inch small pieces of plywood out of that. Sand the handles, rails and small strips of wood smooth.
Now, for assembling: Glue two pieces of the small plywood on the sides of each handle and rail. (Watch video for clearer view). Secure with glue. Next position each handle and rail on to the glued up board, secure with glue and nail gun, from top as well as the bottom.
Let dry and finish off with two coats of clear polyurethane for protection.