Sculpting a Tealightholder With an Anglegrinder!

Today i'm making a new gift for one of my friends. a tealightholder with a special message.

Step 1: Step 1: Finding and Sizing the Right Piece of Wood.

For my project i want to use peartree wood, since i has a very nice look when sculpted. And here it is a pretty cheap wood, since we have a lot of peartrees.

The piece i had was too big, so i cut it to size with my tablesaw.

If the piece is right, we go to the next step...

Step 2: Step 2: Drill the Holes for the Tealights and Draw a Profile for Shaping.

First we look where we want to put the candles. Draw where you want the curves and candles.

Next use a forstner bit a little bigger than the tealights ( we want to get them out pretty easy later).

When the holes are drilled to the depth you like for the tealights, we skip to the next step.

Step 3: Step 3: Prepare Your Anglegrinder and Shape,shape,shape...

these disks are called "raspdisks" for anglegrinders. My brand is from SABUR. They seem to be hard to find. But, i have them, and, the cn last VERY long is you don't hit steal with it.

For the shaping, just use your FEATHER TOUCH to follow the lines you've drawn. DON'T push it. let the rasp do its work very gently. better to go over it 5 times than 2 times and damage the vains of your wood.

I myself first follow my lines.Then i go over it a few times and also go wider until all flat and stright pieces of the wood are gone. same for the sides.

Next step...

Step 4: Step 4: Optional Writing

This time i wrote a text for the person on it.

First i write the text with a pencil.

Next i use a simple soldering iron and keep dipping on the writen text, so we get a pointy dot text burned in the wood.

Step 5: Step 5: Sanding and Finishing

So just some basic fine sanding to make sure everything is smooth.

If you like you can put 4 rubber paws/dots on the underside so it lays better on the table. (i do it all the time)

I finish it with Danish oil. Pretty know to most woodworkers. (don't put it in your house just after the coats, or you will get the smell indoor!! a day later no smell will be found when bringing indoor,just saying. wife not happy :D)