The run-up to Christmas is the perfect opportunity to get creative and make unique decorations or gifts yourself. With a fretsaw or a Japanese saw and a little wood, you can create wonderful DIY projects that not only look great, but also have a personal touch and can be used again and again. Many ideas can also be realized very well together with children. Have fun trying them out!
INSPIRING IDEAS
Wooden door wreath or window picture
Christmas tree or gift tags
Christmas tea light holder
Winter wooden figures to place
Napkin rings
Decorative wooden lettering
Key board
Wooden advent calendar
MATCHING PRODUCTS IN THE STORE
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Pot and cup coasters
Difficulty level: easy
Materials required:
Plywood board 5 – 10 mm thick, ruler and pencil, fretsaw with blade for wood, Japanese saw as required, sandpaper, wood stain or paint as desired
Here’s how:
Saw out a square of approx. 18 cm side length from the plywood board and transfer the puzzle pattern. You are welcome to use our template for this. Clamp the square board and saw along the pattern with the fretsaw. Smooth the edges with sandpaper and round them off slightly. The parts can then be individually designed, either as a classy version with a dark wood stain all around or with name or Christmas decorations made of wood or acrylic paint. This project is ideal for an afternoon of crafting with children.
Wooden toys for children
Difficulty level: medium
Materials required:
Splinter-free wooden boards made of maple, birch or beech 10 – 15 mm thick, wooden board foundation approx. 15 – 20 mm thick, wooden pegs and sticks with different diameters, ruler and pencil, fretsaw with blades for wood, Japanese saw, file and sandpaper, wooden dowels, paint/varnish suitable for small children as desired
Here’s how it works:
Cars or airplanes made from a few simple shapes will make even the youngest children’s eyes light up. Just a basic body and wheels made of round wood, assembled and glued together using wooden pins, form the basis. Grasping toys in a wide variety of shapes can also make a lovely gift.
To make a pegging game, cut a thick wooden board into a square of approx. 12 – 15 cm using a Japanese saw and sand it smooth. Drill a hole approx. 1 cm long in the middle. Shorten a wooden rod to approx. 10 – 15 cm, sand the edges and drill a 2 cm hole at one end. Attach to the board using wooden dowels and wood glue. Use the fretsaw to cut circles of different sizes from the wooden board, the largest circle should be slightly smaller than the foundation. A small circle with the diameter of the wooden pole should now be sawn out of the middle of each circle. Sand everything down well and paint as desired.
Choice of tool:
A fretsaw with a fine saw blade is ideal for delicate work that requires curved cuts and cut-outs. A Japanese saw with a back is the ideal complement for precise straight cuts.
Material:
Plywood or thin solid wood boards are ideal. DIY stores often sell inexpensive offcuts of wood that are ideal for small woodworking projects.
Preparation: Sketch
motifs on paper beforehand and transfer them to the wood using carbon paper (blue paper).
Protection:
Wear safety goggles and possibly soft gloves when sawing. Work in a well-ventilated area.
Have fun making and giving gifts.
