Introduction
Our Dremel Weekends Contributor, Pauline provided us steps to re-create her reclaimed scrap wood hearts.
Gather Materials: Start with a Quarter-Inch Plywood Base
To begin this project, I rounded up a leftover piece of quarter inch plywood to glue my scraps onto.
Choose a Base Substitute: Find Alternatives for Plywood
(If you don't have quarter inch plywood sitting around, here are some examples of what I have used in place of this. I never worry too much about the appearance of the bottom piece, as the painted scraps will cover it.)
Cut Scrap Wood Pieces: Customize Shapes and Paint Colors
Next, the smaller scrap pieces get cut up into any size/shape desired. (Moto-Saw works great for this.) I used smaller sections of the thin plywood or some old garden stakes. This is a good time to play around with paint and get a color scheme going. It's much easier to paint the scraps now, before they are glued down. After the paint dries, I distress some edges just to give definition when they are pieced together.
Trace Heart Shape: Use a Template for Perfect Placement
Taking a piece of paper, a heart shape is cut out and used to trace onto the bottom sheet of wood. (This serves as a placement guide when gluing down the top scrap pieces.)
Glue and Secure: Arrange Scrap Pieces for the Design
After playing around with placement and pattern, glue is applied and heavy objects and/or clamps used to secure until glue dries. (It is important to have good contact until the glue dries, so if I run out of heavy objects, I take a break and come back to it after glue sets and repeat gluing/clamping.)
Re-trace Heart Shape: Define Final Design on Scrap Wood
When the glue is all dry, the paper heart cutout is used again to retrace onto the top scrap pieces.
Cut Out the Heart: Shape the Final Piece Using a Moto-Saw
Next the final heart is cut out on the Moto-Saw, by following the heart shaped trace line. (Be sure to follow safety, setup, and operating instructions included with the Moto-Saw.)
Smooth the Edges: Use a Dremel Tool for Finishing Touches
After the heart is cut, edges can be evened out by using your favorite Dremel tool- the Multi-Max or any Dremel Rotary Tool.
Fill Gaps with Caulk: Perfect the Look with Seamless Joints
Next, any gaps between the scraps can be filled with painter's caulk, and a wet rag used to wipe up any excess.
Drill a Hole: Add Twine or Ribbon for Easy Hanging
Finishing up, a hole is drilled for ribbon or twine. And there you have it! Write a message on the back, and you've got yourself a big, scrap wood valentine.
To reduce the risk of injury user must read instruction manuals for all tools used in this project. Wear eye and respiratory protection. Use clamps to support work piece whenever practical.