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by
Paul Lewis
photo: Roger Yip
illustration: Len Churchill |
CANDLE HOLDER |
| Weathered
barn board adds character to this candle holder |
This simple candle holder always gets rave reviews when I make
it for someone as a gift. The key ingredient here is weathered
barn board. Don’t make this project with new wood unless
you intend to distress it afterward. There is a Canadian product
called LifeTime Wood Treatment from Valhalla Wood Preservatives
Ltd. that turns new wood grey in an attractive way. It may help
you achieve the weathered look.
 Dislodge
any loose dirt or wood from the material by scrubbing the barn
board with a stiff nylon brush. This precaution will prevent
dangerous bits from flying across your shop while you are working.
Next, rip a length of stock to
width for the top and feet, then crosscut these parts to length.
A tablesaw does a great job for both these tasks, but a handsaw
also works fine on small parts like these. The materials list
includes a 10" length for the top (enough for three candles),
but feel free to make the project as long as you like. I’ve
made versions that hold as many as 12 candles that run the entire
length of a dining table, offering quite a presence.
Once
the top is cut to length, prepare the 45° chamfers on the
ends. If you have a tablesaw it will make short work of these
cuts. But a sharp chisel or hand plane can do a great job if
you’re just tooling up or prefer a quieter building experience.
The tablesaw really shines at making the dado grooves underneath
the top that hold the piece’s feet. If you don’t have
one, make matching pairs of saw cuts the width of the required
grooves, then clean out all the waste in between with a chisel
that is slightly narrower than the groove.
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| A
Forstner bit makes quick work of the flat-bottomed
holes that seat the candles |
|
Move
to the drillpress or hand drill and bore the flat-bottomed holes,
the seats for the candles. A Forstner bit does an ideal job
because of its small central spur, but you can get a similar
result by grinding the tip of a spade bit down to half its original
size. Finally, attach the feet to the top with glue.
No
finish is required here; it would only detract from the candle
holder’s rustic look. Just remember to use the candles
that come in tin cups, commonly known as “tealights.”
They won’t drip wax on the wood. |
You
will need:
|
CLICK
ABOVE TO ENLARGE |
| Part |
Size |
Qty. |
| Top |
7/8"
x 3" x 10" |
1 |
| Feet |
7/8"
x 1" x 3" |
2 |
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