Introduction: Halloween Treat Wooden Spell Book
For this project we will be making a wooden spell book with a slide out draw that you can hide your treats and sweets.
Step 1: Tools and Wood
I will be using plywood for this project I'm using two thicknesses of the plywood. The front and the back of the book are made using 1/4 inch plywood and the inside draw base too. The spine and the sides of the inside draw is made from 3/8 Inch plywood
Tools
Table saw or chop saw
Rule
Pencil
Wood Glue
Scroll Saw
Paint (I used black brown green and red)
Paintbrush
Step 2: Marking Out and Cutting Base of Inside Draw
Take your 1/4 inch plywood and the measure out 5 inches from one side and draw a line down then mark from the top 6 inches, you should now have marked out a 5 x 6 inch base ready for cutting. I cut this out on the chop saw but you can always use the table saw if you find that better. Cut along the lines and you will then have the base of the inside draw cut out
Step 3: Measuring and Cutting Sides of Inside Box
Take your 3/8 inch plywood and cut four strips that are 1/2 inch wide and longer than 6 inches. To join each side I just butted each piece of wood up against each other to create the corner joint. Cut the longer sides to 6 inches and then the smaller sides you need to cut them down to fit in between the two longer sides when these are glued down.
Step 4: Glue Sides of the Inside Box
Take your sides that you have just cut down to size and then put wood glue on the bottom of each piece line it up with the bottom of the draw edge and then do this for all four sides and then clamp it down and wait for it to dry. Once dried you have finished making the inside draw of the book.
Step 5: Cutting Back and Front of the Spell Book
You need to take some 1/4 inch plywood and then measure from the edge 5 inches and 5/8 , then from the top measure 7 1/4 inches and draw a line across this should then give you a shape that is 5 5/8 x 7 1/4 take this to either the table saw or the chop saw and cut this shape out. Using the piece of wood you have just cut out place this on top of the 1/4 inch plywood and draw around it using it as a template, cut this out and you will have two pieces for the front and the back that are the same size.
Step 6: Making the Spine and the Top and Bottom of the Book
You want to make it so that the inside box moves freely when the book is tipped as putting a handle on the draw would spoil the look of the book. Get your 3/8 inch plywood and place the front that you have just cut out in the previous step and the mark down the longest side This will create the length for the top part of the book. Then Mark down two inches and you will now have a strip that is 5 5/8 x 2 inches , cut this out and then using the piece that you have cut mark out another strip and cut this out this will make the bottom of the book. To make the spine you will need to mark out another piece of 3/8 inch plywood. Draw a line that is two inches from the top of a piece of plywood and then mark 6 inches from the side this will make you a strip that is 6 x 2 inches.
Step 7: Glueing Top Spine and Bottom of the Book
Place the inside draw in the centre of the back of the book. then line up the spine with the back edge of the bottom of the book. Then place the top and bottom of the book on each side of the book leaving some space so that the draw will smoothly come in and out. You should have the top and bottom coming in about 1/4 inch. Glue the spine down keeping the draw in just to help line everything up then glue the top and bottom pieces in with the 1/4 inch gap at the top and bottom but making sure the draw is able to move freely. Clamp it all together and the leave this to dry.
Step 8: Glueing the Top to the Rest of the Book
Now you will have the back of the book with the spine and top and bottom glued together. You now need to glue the top on. Put some glue on the top of the edges and top and bottom and then place this on top of the top you cut out earlier. Make sure as the bottom was it is inset the same distance and then clamp this down to dry
Step 9: Cutting Snake
Take some 1/4 inch MDF and draw a snake onto it that will fit on the front of your book. Take the MDF to the scroll saw and cut the pattern out. Once you have the snake cut out glue it the to front of the book leaving space to write spell book at the top of the book or wherever you want.
Step 10: Painting Book
You can do this any colour or style that you want to do just be as creative as you want to be here.