How to Make a Utah Monolith Christmas Ornament

Its been a couple of weeks since the discovery of the Utah Monolith and as the weeks go by new structures are being discovered around the world. While I don't have any theories as to what or why they are appearing, I assume its for Arts sake, everywhere I do find it very interesting. So to commemorate the moment I decided to make a Utah Monolith Christmas Ornament.

Step 1:

The Utah Monolith is said to be about 10 feet tall and 23 inches wide. I have not been able to get 100% confirmation as to its actual dimensions so I am going to make my version 10 cm by 20 cm. I am using some 1/8 inch plywood to make the base structure. I first measure 10 cm and make a line on all three pieces of the plywood.

Step 2:

I make the cut using my portable bandsaw table (Portable Bandsaw Table).

Step 3:

Next I make a mark at 20 cm on all 3 pieces length wise. Then I cut each section using my portable bandsaw.

Step 4:

I tried to setup a 60 degree guide on the table of my belt sander but to be honest this didn't really work so great. Lining up the wood to try and sand a 60 degree angled miter was a little difficult. Instead I got to what looked close and then checked the fit with the other pieces until I got close to having an equilateral triangle.

Step 5:

I used super glue and blue painters tape along the seams to glue up the triangle. The painters tape acts as a clamp to keep the pieces tight together while the glue dries.

Step 6:

After the glue dried I used the hard edge of a punch to compress the corners then I further cleaned up the edges by lightly sanding them on the belt sander.

Step 7:

I used some aluminum flashing that I would use to wrap the wooden base in. Its pretty thin and can be easily cut with a pair of scissors.

Step 8:

Next I folded the aluminum flashing around the wooden base I used a paper napkin to protect the finish on the aluminum. I used my belt sander to remove any excess from the top and bottom of the piece making sure to leave it flush with the wood.

Step 9:

After sanding it flush I used super glue on all sides of the wooden base to glue it to the aluminum flashing. I made sure to apply pressure across the entire piece to get good contact between the two surfaces. Once the glue dried I used the shaft of my punch to compress the one open seam to try and close it up.

Step 10:

For the top and bottom caps I traced the outline on to a piece of aluminum flashing and used the scissors to cut out the triangular shapes then I used super glue to attach them to the top and bottom. I just applied pressure with my fingers while the glue dried.

Step 11:

Once the glue dried I used my utility knife to cut the excess flashing. You will have to make several passes to cut through the aluminum flashing. Using the utility knife is the best way to get a flush cut. Next I used a 1/16 inch drill bit to make a hole in the top of the Monolith, or Minilith in this case, and then used a traditional hook from an ornament to hang it in the tree. The final piece is pretty light so just fishing the hook through the hole is good enough, the hook is plenty strong to hold the weight of the ornament.

Step 12:

And finally the hardest part was finding a spot for it on our tree as its pretty full but I managed to find a nice branch to hang it from.

This was a quick and fun project that I hope at the very least you all found entertaining and or even amusing.

Comments

[capn_banks]

How's this?

[capn_banks]

Thank you for this suggestion! I decided to make this as a gift and also make an exploding box for my UFO crazy mum. I lined the inside of the box with photos and textures from Utah and the backdrop is from the original site. I created a false floor and dug the monolith into the 'soil'. When you remove the monolith you can see on the photo backdrop the small triangle that was left behind when the original monolith was removed.

[capn_banks]

Also, I just made mine out of card and that foil sticky tape for those who are not so good in the workshop.

[danthemakerman]

That's a good idea I actually have some aluminum foil tape I didn't even think to use it. Nice work!

[danthemakerman]

That's awesome I hope she likes it!

[danthemakerman]

Wow!!! That's super creative! Well done!

[StringGoddess]

Billiant!

[danthemakerman]

Thank you, I was being a little silly when I made this but we actually like the way it looks in the tree.

[StringGoddess]

I think it's preferable as a memento of this year than a replica of the COVID virus.

[LeslieGeee]

LOL, as StringGoddess said BRILLIANT!!! I was thinking that you should engrave the date you made it on the bottom cap which hopefully can be made to open and put a printed story inside it so that it can be passed down to your children as an heirloom :). Loved the story of the monoliths....for just a few moments took our minds off this Chinese virus garbage! Really hope the people that made them don't get in trouble for placing them inside a national park. Gawds if people can riot and destroy and not get arrested, this little thing that made people smile is worth a pardon :)

[danthemakerman]

I need to write 2020 on it somewhere just as a reminder.

[spark master]

That said, it is quite nice. Perfect for a Christmas Tree.

[danthemakerman]

Thanks, it actually looks pretty nice in the tree. I might have to make a set if they every figure out how many there are around the world.

[spark master]

I hope people make hundred scaled up to say 5feet tll and place them all over.

[danthemakerman]

That actually made me laugh out loud!