Introduction: More Stuff to Make From Felled Tree

I ran out of tree, but not out of stuff to make, so I've been raiding the near-by park for fallen limbs. Here are some more things you can make from tree parts.

(This is an add-on to the original 'ible Stuff-to-Make-from-Felled-Tree)

Step 1: Materials, Tools

1. Broken trees

2. Saw

3. Chisels

4. Sandpaper

5. More sandpaper

6. More sandpaper

7. Still not enough sandpaper, so get some more

8. Oil-based stain

9. Oil-based polycrylic

10. Paint brushes

11. Drill/w various bits

12. Dremel/w sanding bit

13. Bandaids

Step 2: Gather Branches

This is fun because you get to be outside in the woods among nature.

And ticks. And other crawly things.

Wear jeans and long sleeves.

(the spider photo was taken inside my garage, so hey; the woods are actually a lot safer)

Step 3: Basic Steps for Each of the Following Projects

1.Strip bark, dirt, mold, dead things

2. I saw live things crawl out of some of my branches so, well you might want to spray them with bug spray too.

3. Cut, drill, etc

4. Sand, sand, sand, sand

5. Clean off sand dust

6. Have a glass of wine

7. Stain

8. Polyurethane

Step 4: Make a Band Saw Box

Bandsaw boxes are easy and are made with a band saw by hollowing out the center of a trunk section. I'll publish an Instructable on building a bandsaw box if anyone is interested.

Step 5: Make a Lamp

Here is a chunk that was hollowed out so I just cleaned it up a bit and threw in some old lamp parts with a low-watt LED bulb.

Step 6: Make Some Hooks

You should always make hooks -- I make lots of these because my treadmill is loaded down with clothes and I need many hooks. This particular hook is for a Veterinarian friend's office. I guess they have treadmills that are full of clothes too.

These are just crotch pieces (woodworker's term) trimmed down and then the main trunk of the branch is split (aka ripped) so that it lies flat against the wall.

Step 7: Make Wine Glass Coasters

Believe it or not, coasters are actually kind of difficult because you have to sand what is called the "end grain". It is called the end grain because in the end it's hard to get it sanded right.

I found that sanding with a very low grit paper (40), and then working up to 220 provided the best results.

These have a little ShrinkyDink logo inlaid as a flourish. And as an excuse to use a Dremel.

Step 8: Make I-Phone Holder

This is a useful mini-shelf to hold your phone, keys, wallet, gum near the door so you can grab it on your way out.

Take a hook, glue a coaster on top of it, and voila.

Step 9: Make a Wine Bottle Holder

This consists of a main trunk branch, a branch on top to cradle the neck of the bottle, and a branch at the base to hold the bottom of the bottle.

This trunk also had a partial branch sticking out on the side so I carved a little slot to help hold a wine glass in place.

Step 10: Wine Bottle Holder, Variation 2

This the same idea, but instead of a branch/neck holder at the time, I just carved out a slot for the neck.

Step 11: Add Felt to the Bottom of Fru-fru Items

I'd recommend gluing some little felt feet to the bottoms of your projects that come into contact with a table or other furniture just to keep from scratching surfaces.

Step 12: Wine Bottle Holder, Variation 3

Just another variation with top and base branches.

Step 13: Wine Bottle Holder, Variation 4

Here I used the branch coming off of the trunk to act as a glass holder.

By the way, it's always good to name your projects; this one is called the Ichabod Crane.

Step 14: Make a Picture or Mirror Frame

You can find these ring-shaped things occasionally and they can make a nice picture or mirror frame.

Step 15: Make a Candle Holder

This just looked like an interesting branch. The main section was hollowed out with a drill bit and a lot of chiseling. Stick an LED candle in it and turn off the light; looks like a candle holder.

Step 16: Make a Wine Glass Holder

This is just a "crotch" from a branch with a coaster has a holder that has two splits on either side to hold the wine glasses.

Step 17: Make a Bra for Bras for a Cause

This is a bra made for the Gilda's Club's Bras for a Cause event. Made out of nested circlular rings cut from a thick branch.

Step 18: Bra Variation, 2

Here's another for Gilda's Club-- made with two hollowed out branch joints that I stumbled on in the forest.

Step 19: Bra Variation 3

This one is made from two bandsaw boxes.

Step 20: Lamp Variation

Step 21: Go Out in the Woods and Find Your Own Stuff to Make!

Why sit around and program an arduino or raspberry pi when there's a whole world of broken trees to explore?

Here are some more projects you can make; these were made from a cottonwood that was in my backyard:

What-to-do-With-a-Felled-Tree

Wood Contest 2016

Participated in the
Wood Contest 2016