Craft Stick Log Cabin

This slideshow is more like a Lego instruction booklet. Each slide will take you through the various steps to making a mini-log-cabin out of craft sticks, which makes a nice decoration under the Christmas tree or a nice gift for someone you care about. If you know someone who really likes Lincoln Logs, you could even make all the preparations and let them put it together! (lol) Either way, I used craft sticks with the following dimensions- 4.5" x 3/8" x 1/12" and wood glue to hold some of it together. Merry Christmas!

A few notes: You don't have to make the notches yourself - there are certain places online where you can buy "building sticks" that fit together just like the ones shown here. However, if you do want to make them yourself, simply make the cuts shown in the first few slides and then put them all together as shown in the rest of the slide show. Good luck!

joaguzman says: Oct 22, 2009. 9:00 PM

ok--- I am attempting to build with my son for a school project... i could make a real simple one but I like the design of this one... I am at the point of making the notches.... not sure how to make them. I taped 6 craft sticks together... i have labeled 5 stacks "A" with 6 craft sticks making it 30 total...and 2 stacks "B"---- 2 stacks "C" and 1 stack "D"... so now I hope i am headed in the right direction....how do i make the notches..? Please a little more precise instructions...I went and bought the black and decker jigsaw, and bought a pack of blades....2 blades labeled rough wood 6 TPI, 1 blade smooth wood 10 TPI, 1 blade medium metal 18 TPI, 1 thick metal 14 TPI, and 1 thin metal 24 TPI... which blade do I use ? I know how to place the blade....how do I make the notches after that? Thank You soooo much, plzzzz help

J. Guz-

LMO (author) in reply to joaguzmanOct 23, 2009. 6:17 AM

When dealing with soft wood like craft sticks, more TPI is usually better. Try the highest TPI first, then go down from there if it takes too long. Be warned though - even if you use the right blade sometimes the sticks have defects in them and break easily. But don't worry too much about it - you'll learn as you go.

So put on the 14 or 24 TPI blade and start cutting - you may have to cut each notch 1-2x depending on the width of the blade, just make sure the pieces fit together when you're done. Practice makes perfect and the craft sticks are cheap, so let me know if you have any other questions.

Green482 says: Aug 26, 2009. 11:13 AM

i am making one, but on my first attempt, my sawblade was too thin and i messed up all the cuts. could you tell me where you got the 1/12 of an inch thick blade saw?

LMO (author) in reply to Green482Aug 27, 2009. 5:13 AM

the blade came with the jigsaw i bought from Wal Mart. Black and Decker probably sells them individually somewhere.

ward2u says: Jul 17, 2009. 5:45 PM

thanks i think i'll make one

baba9888 says: Nov 10, 2008. 5:27 PM

I have to build one for school so thanks ur a great help.

LMO (author) in reply to baba9888Nov 11, 2008. 9:41 AM

Good luck! I'd like to see a picture if you wouldn't mind posting it.

baba9888 in reply to LMONov 12, 2008. 1:26 PM

alright