This project was sooooo much fun and so simple that I even dared to let Monster Mash help out! After all, the holidays aren’t quite as much fun without a little holiday magic and kid friendly woodworking! Am I right? You can decorate with ornaments, or perhaps drill out some shallow holes on the ends of each branch for candles… The possibilities are endless!
Under $25
Safety Gear Tape Measure Drill Spade Bit or Hole Saw Bit Saw
3 – 2×2 at 8′ 1 – 3/4″ Dowel at 36″
2 1/2″ pocket hole screws – optional Wood Glue Sanding Supplies Finishing Supplies – optional
2 – 2×2 at 27″ 4 – 2×2 at 24″ 4 – 2×2 at 21″ 3 – 2×2 at 18″ 2 – 2×2 at 15″ 2 – 2×2 at 12″ 4 – 2×2 at 9″ 2 – 2×2 at 6″ 1 – 2×2 at 3″ 1 – 3/4″ Dowel at 32″
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Build your Base: You can use your Kreg Jig set for 1 1/2″ stock and your 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and glue. Using your Spade Bit, drill down almost all the way through your base, but not quite all the way. This would be about 1 1/4″ down into the board. Tape your Bit as shown here so that you know where you need to stop.
Add you dowel: If you want this to be collapsible, don’t glue. Or you can glue this piece and allow the branches to be movable so you can flatten to store…either way.
Add the Branches: Using your Spade Bit drill a hole in the center all the way through each branch. Then simply layer in the order outlined below: Each dimension listed will be for 2 pieces in the listed size unless otherwise noted. Row 1 and 2: 21″ Row 3 and 4: 24″ Row 5 and 6: 27″ Row 7 and 8: 24″ Row 9 and 10: 21″ Row 10 and 11: 18″ Row 12 and 13: 15″ Row 14 and 15: 12″ Row 15 and 16: 9″ Row 17 and 18: 6″ Row 19: 3″ This is the Top and only one of these will be used.
Add the top: This piece will also drilled only partially,to about 3/4″ will work to secure the top piece on your dowel and cap your tree so to speak.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
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**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.
I like this , but i have 1 question. In your list of materials you don’t mention what you use for the base ,
so im wondering what to use ?