Coconut Checker Game

I came up with this idea while working on a coconut birdhouse project. During that project I accumulated a bunch of 2 discs that reminded me of checkers. You will need three or more whole coconuts for this project, plus the list below.

I assume you have coconuts without husks.

ITEMS USED:
" Drill + 2 circular drill bit
" Sand Paper (coarse + fine) + Steel Wool
" Belt Sander (optional)
" Safety Glasses
" Flat-head Screwdriver
" Canvas Drop-cloth (or any fabric)
" T-square or other measuring/aligning tool
" Pencil
" Stencil/Stencil material
" Paint + Paint brush
" Stuff for Hemming (Regular Weight Stitch Witchery- iron-on)  Hot glue
" Scissors
" Xacto Knife
" Wax (optional)
" Elbow Grease

Step 1 STEP 1: Coconut time (drain, cut, and clean)

Drain your coconuts in whatever way you are most comfortable. I like using the screwdriver to make a hole in the largest part of the face, and then shake away

Put on your safety glasses. Using your drill & 2 circular drill bit, begin cutting discs around the coconut. Youll probably get 6 or more discs per coconut depending on how close you cut and the size of your coconuts.

Be careful. As soon as you feel the bit cutting easily its time to back off. You want the disc to stay attached to the meat because you can then pry the disc from the meat with your screwdriver. Dont worry if meat is still attached, you can use your screw driver to cut/scrape/pry the meat away.

Make as many discs as you can. You can always use them for something else later. Also, the scrap coconut pieces work for other projects, too.

(WARNING: The disc may actually lodge in the 2 circular bit. If that happens, take the bit off the drill, unscrew the nut holding the circular bit to the shaft, and pull apart. You will then be able to easily get the disc out. I counted 5 times that I had to go through the process.)

Comments

[seamster]

Another cool coconut project! Just a tip--I've found that sanding and polishing a whole coconut prior to cutting it into pieces for projects like this makes things a little easier. I use a palm sander with a heavier grit to sand off remaining husk, and finer grits to get the shell smooth and shiny. (There's something to be said, however, about the therapeutic nature of hand polishing each piece... It's all about what makes you happy!) Keep of the good work.